New Musician Spotlight: Pierre Cavel

Principal Viola Pierre Cavel is our final new musician feature for the 2026-27 season! He is originally from Orléans France but now loves Nashville BBQ! Leave your BBQ recs for him in the comments below. Bienvenue à Nashville Pierre!

🏠 Your hometown: Orléans, France

🎼  Age you started playing: I started the piano at 3, and the viola at 5.

🎻 Why you chose your instrument: I was inspired by my older sisters who played violin and cello as well as piano. Shortly after starting piano lessons myself, I saw a viola ensemble concert in my hometown and was entranced. From then on, I would spend my days asking my parents to get me a viola!

🎶 Program you are looking forward to this season and why: Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov! Not only is it a very special piece for both my wife and I, but I can’t wait to see how our amazing concertmaster Peter Otto interprets it!

✈️  Hidden talents: I have surprising dexterity and individual control of…my eyebrows.

🍜 Favorite Nashville restaurant: I’m a big fan of all the BBQ in Nashville, but so far Honeyfire has been my absolute favorite! I plan to try them all though…

🐶 Dog or cat: I’ve never had a pet, but if I did, I think I would have a cat!

🎧 Favorite non-classical music: Disco! 🪩