Josh Olson is a professional horn player and educator based in Los Angeles, California. Currently serving as the 3rd horn for the San Gabriel Valley Symphony, he is an active freelancer throughout Southern California. From 2022 to 2024, Josh held a prestigious fellowship with the California Young Artists Symphony.
His performances have taken him to notable venues across the country, including the Dolby Theatre and Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, Kauffman Hall in Kansas City, and the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Prior to relocating to California, Josh performed with the Missouri Philharmonic and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Josh holds a Master of Music in Horn Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Missouri State University. His primary teachers include Dylan Hart, Jenny Kim, Andrew Bain, and Dr. Lisa Casey.
In addition to his orchestral work, Josh was a member of the mellophone section with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 and the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps in 2020. Outside of music, Josh enjoys scuba diving, watching baseball, and spending time with his fiancée.
The San Gabriel Valley Symphony, a program of Arts Bridging The Gap, exists to educate and inspire new audiences through the performing arts. Through world-class performances, collaboration with community stakeholders, and authentic storytelling, we connect audiences to live performance as a pillar of community celebration rooted in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.
