The HSO 2025 Guest Concertmasters
Jonathan Urizar
Greenville, SC based violinist, Jonathan Urizar studied Violin Performance at Kennesaw State University. Jonathan’s teachers have included Lana Teko, Juan and Carol Ramirez, and Helen Kim. In addition to maintaining a small private teaching studio, he performs as the concertmaster of the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, a position he has maintained since 2017. In May 2025, Jonathan performed the Sibelius violin concerto with the Dekalb Symphony. Jonathan also performs with several other orchestras across the southeast such as the Savannah Philharmonic, Asheville and Chattanooga symphonies among others, in early music ensemble Pan Harmonia, and with the newly formed Soluna String Quartet. Jonathan also enjoys performing in the pit orchestra for touring Broadway shows at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Additionally, Jonathan serves as the co-founder and lead violinist in Atlanta based mariachi group- Mariachi Búhos de Oro. He performs on an award winning contemporary instrument completed in 2014 by Pablo Alfaro in Decatur, GA. Outside of his musical life, you can find him most often on a yoga mat, running on a trail, traveling, or cuddling with his cat Luna.
Jackie Tso
Jackie Tso is a talented violinist who grew up in Cincinnati. She began violin lessons in earnest at age 4. When she was 15, Tso collaborated with acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley in a dazzling performance on National Public Radio’s “From the Top.” Later, she attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Two years ago, Tso became the concertmaster of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. Tso came to Greenville from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to performing with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Beijing Broadcasting Orchestra, Tso participated in international competitions, Premio Paganini and the Jascha Heifetz Competition. Her passion for music extends beyond performance, as she actively engages in teaching and mentorship programs for young musicians.
Tso said she has comfortably settled in Greenville, enjoying writing, hiking and flower arranging in her spare time. Tso also enjoys long walks with her Aussiedoodle, Coco.
Mariya Potapova
St. Petersburg native Mariya Potapova grew up in a family of musicians and began playing the violin at age 8. She continued her studies in Knoxville, TN, when her family moved to the United States in 1999, and at the University of North Carolina Asheville, where she holds Bachelor degrees in Music and Psychology. She soloed with the Blue Ridge Civic Orchestra, after having won the Blue Ridge Concerto Competition in 2006. Her primary teachers have been Inez Hullinger Redman, Vladimir Gentselt, Vadim Voyler, and Emma Polonskaya of St.Petersburg School of the Arts.
Mariya leads a multi-faceted performing life in the Asheville and Greenville, SC areas. She is a member of the Asheville Symphony, Greenville Symphony, Hendersonville Symphony, Symphony of the Mountains, Soluna String Quartet, Opal String Quartet, and Vakama Piano Trio, and performs with many other local orchestras. She collaborates with a wide range of classical and non-classical ensembles, including the Kruger Brothers, Pan Harmonia, Meadowlark Quartet, Free Planet Radio, The Get Right Band. Equally at home performing musicals, Mariya has frequented the orchestra pit at the Flat Rock Playhouse and Western Carolina University. Mariya has also been a part of many recording projects for various bands and movie soundtracks.