Appointed to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Sir Georg Solti in 1986 at the age of 24, Patricia Dash retired in 2026 after 40 years with the ensemble. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, she previously served as principal percussion of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida. Early in her CSO career, Dash performed with a CSO percussion trio in countless elementary schools throughout Chicago. Witnessing the excitement of children encountering percussion instruments and professional musicians up close helped inspire what would become the most meaningful endeavor of her career.
In 1995 Dash founded the CSO’s Percussion Scholarship Program, which provides gifted Chicago-area students with full-scholarship percussion instruction. For more than three decades, she and her husband, percussionist Doug Waddell, have codirected the program, mentoring generations of young musicians. PSP students have performed at Chicago Symphony Center, appeared on NPR’s From the Top and on Chicago television and radio and performed as soloists with the Orchestra. Among its many alumni pursuing careers in music are three former students who now serve as principal percussionists of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra and Sarasota Orchestra.
For Dash, the Percussion Scholarship Program reflects a belief that has become central to her life in music: that being fortunate enough to make a career as a musician also brings an opportunity to give something back. Helping young musicians discover their abilities, develop confidence, and find their own paths has been among the most rewarding parts of her forty years with the CSO. Dash will continue to teach and codirect the PSP and will remain active as a performer. She looks forward to this next chapter — and more time with family.
