Mika Elisa Gibbs joined the second violin section of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2026. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she studies with Kathleen Winkler. Her previous teachers have included Ben Sayevich at the Park University International Center for Music (ICM), Ekaterina Zykova, Magdalena Maslanova, and David Kovac.
At age 17, Ms. Gibbs made her solo debut with the Kansas City Symphony. As an orchestral musician, she has held several leadership positions within the Shepherd School Chamber and Symphony orchestras, including serving as concertmaster for Resident Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s inaugural concert at Rice. She has also performed chamber music alongside Shepherd School faculty members Ms. Winkler and Timothy Pitts.
In addition, Ms. Gibbs has been recognized through several competitive fellowships and scholarships, including the Center for Orchestral Leadership Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and School (2025) and the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and School (2024).