Audition Advice from recent orchestra audition winners - Viola Edition

Big news—we’re launching a brand-new series on the Blackstrad blog featuring interviews with recent orchestra audition winners!

Our goal is to bring you real, firsthand advice straight from the musicians who have successfully navigated the audition process. From practice strategies to mental preparation, these conversations offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to land a spot in a professional orchestra. First up, we're excited to feature Dana Kelley and Rebecca Benjamin, both incredible artists with plenty of wisdom to share.

Dana Kelley - Viola

What position did you recently win and in which orchestra? 

Associate Principal in the National Symphony

How early did you start preparing for this specific audition? 

I had been taking auditions for a couple of years, so felt like I was generally in good shape. I started really focusing on this audition about 6 weeks before the first round. 

In the month leading up to the audition, what percentage of your practice time was spent on the audition music vs your other commitments?

Probably close to 50/50

In the week leading up to your successful audition, how many hours were you practicing each day?

2-3 hours a day

Which orchestra are you leaving?

I am a tenured member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, which are both part-time ensembles, so I am not leaving either. I will be relocating from NYC to DC. 

What were the three most important things you did in the week before your audition win that you feel led to your success and why? 

1) Trusting that I was well prepared and was capable of winning the audition. I realized I would never have a chance of winning anything if I didn’t believe that it was possible. 

2) Playing one mock audition for a colleague in the NYPhil. In the past, I had played for many people and often felt like I had too much of a good thing. Everyone listens differently. For this audition, I chose to play for someone new, who has been on many audition committees, and with the intention of just running the excerpts under pressure. Of course I was grateful for the feedback and incorporated what I thought was necessary for the real audition. 

Rebecca Benjamin, viola 

What position did you recently win and in which orchestra? 

I recently won Principal Viola of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra! 

How early did you start preparing for this specific audition? 

I didn’t really keep track of when I started! I would love to be that person that knows what they did which day and carefully plans out my practice– but alas, it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe that should be my next New Year’s resolution!

In the month leading up to the audition, what percentage of your practice time was spent on the audition music vs your other commitments?

Being a current doctoral student while I was taking this audition- juggling school, teaching, personal life and responsibilities outside of school- the percentage during the month before drastically varied day-to-day, week-to-week. I truly don’t remember how things were balanced, but it was definitely a lower percentage than I wanted it to be or imagined that it “should” be when preparing for an audition. 

In the week leading up to your successful audition, how many hours were you practicing each day? 

The week before, I was practicing probably somewhere between 3-6 hours a day. I crammed a lot at the very end right before I left for the audition!

Which orchestra are you leaving or are you graduating from a school? 

I’m coming from Rice University’s Doctoral Program

What were the three most important things you did in the week before your audition win that you feel led to your success and why? 

1) to play mock auditions for my friend who recently won a job. He knew what I should expect and really put me through the ringer so that when I got to the audition, I felt confident!

2) I made sure I had enough sleep and stayed hydrated in the week before the audition.

3) I didn’t really go into it with any expectations, and I just was excited for the process!

Learn more about Rebecca here.

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