Get to know oboist Benjamin Goodly and trumpeter Raúl Orellana, who join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra this season as our newest Paul J. Ross Fellows.
This fall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra welcomes oboist Benjamin Goodly and trumpeter Raúl Orellana, who begin two-year terms as Paul J. Ross Fellows during the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 seasons.
They join current Fellows Jacob Ogbu, trombone, and Christian Harvey, bass, who return for the second year of their fellowships.
The Paul J. Ross Fellowship gives exceptional emerging musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside Pittsburgh Symphony musicians, receive mentorship and professional development, prepare for professional auditions and engage with the greater Pittsburgh community through education and outreach.
Meet Benjamin Goodly
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, oboist Benjamin Goodly comes to Pittsburgh after completing a second master’s degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he studied with Robert Atherholt and Erin Hannigan. His other teachers have included Titus Underwood at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Jane Marvine at the Peabody Institute.
Benjamin has performed with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Alabama Symphony, Houston Symphony, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and San Antonio Philharmonic. He is also passionate about teaching and has spent several years working with middle- and high-school students.
Meet Raúl Orellana
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, trumpeter Raúl Orellana joins the fellowship after serving as Acting Third/Utility Trumpet with the St. Louis Symphony.
A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music who also pursued graduate studies at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, Raúl has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and New World Symphony. As a student, he spent summers at Tanglewood, the National Orchestral Institute + Festival and MasterWorks Festival.
Get to know the Fellows
Benjamin Goodly · Oboe
2026–2028 Paul J. Ross Fellow
Where did you grow up, and what’s one fun fact about your hometown?
I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. A fun fact is that Atlanta has over 55 streets named “Peachtree,” and it is home to what I think is the world’s best aquarium.
What’s a hobby or interest you have outside of music?
Outside of music, I enjoy reading and running.
If you weren’t a musician, what career would you pursue?
I would do something related to computer science or mechanical engineering!
Favorite movie?
Prisoners from 2013, which actually takes place in Pennsylvania!
What’s a dream city or country where you would love to perform one day?
I don’t have a particular place in mind, but I have always wanted to go on tour with an orchestra. It seems like it would be a lot of fun to see new places and perform in new halls with your friends!
What artists are you listening to right now?
Recently, I have been listening to an artist named Tom Misch. His music is basically a blend of some of my favorite genres!
Raúl Orellana · Trumpet
2026–2028 Paul J. Ross Fellow
Where did you grow up, and what’s one fun fact about your hometown?
I grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico. One fun fact is that it’s actually the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction!
What’s a hobby or interest you have outside of music?
I love sports! I’ve played basketball since I was little. I’ve also grown to love table tennis and pickleball and try to play as often as I can.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Mocha.
If you weren’t a musician, what career would you pursue?
I likely would have gone into sports medicine. I would have liked to be a surgeon and help athletes recover from major injuries.
Favorite movie?
Saving Private Ryan.
What’s a dream city where you would love to perform one day?
Vienna.
What are you listening to right now?
I’ve recently been listening to a lot of vocal and choral music and discovered Tchaikovsky’s and Rachmaninoff’s religious choral works.
Learning alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony
Over the next two seasons, Benjamin and Raúl will become part of the musical life of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Paul J. Ross Fellows rehearse and perform alongside PSO musicians, receive regular mentorship and participate in mock auditions and workshops designed to prepare them for careers in leading orchestras. They also take part in education and community initiatives throughout Pittsburgh, developing their skills as performers, educators and leaders.
The fellowship is named for violinist Paul J. Ross, who in 1965 became the first African American musician to receive a full-time contract with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Ross’s legacy extended well beyond his performances with the Orchestra. He was known for nurturing, mentoring and supporting young musicians and for his devotion to sharing the joy of music with others.
The program began in the 2007/2008 season as the Orchestral Training Program for African American Musicians. In the 2021/2022 season, it was renamed in Ross’s honor and expanded to welcome two new Fellows each year for two-year terms. Fellows work closely with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony while receiving substantial professional development, mentorship and support as they prepare for the next stages of their careers.
Benjamin and Raúl now become part of that growing legacy, and we look forward to Pittsburgh audiences getting to know them both onstage and throughout our community.