Gabriel Mairson

Gabriel Mairson joined the North Carolina Symphony beginning with the 2024/25 season after serving in an acting position for the 2023/24 season. He grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, and studied piano before switching full-time to horn at the age of 18. He received a bachelor’s degree at McGill University, where he studied with John Zirbel and Denys Derome, and a master’s degree at the Yale School of Music, where he studied with William Purvis. He has pursued additional studies with Denise Tryon and Rob Knopper.

Mairson has spent summers playing at the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. He has served as second horn with the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec and as substitute horn with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Mairson loves to teach horn players of all ages. He maintains a private studio in Raleigh, coaches brass sectionals, and gives master classes at the college level. He is a former professional bread baker and enjoys listening to German lieder, bike-camping, and playing low notes in the North Carolina Symphony horn section.