Michael Sachs, Cleveland Orchestra Trumpet Player: Most Interesting People 2026

Why He’s Interesting: Michael Sachs grew up in the Mad Men world of New York advertising, but his best pitch turned out to be musical. For 38 seasons, the Cleveland Orchestra’s principal trumpet has performed on stages from Severance Hall to Salzburg, Austria, shaping the ensemble’s distinguished sound. World-renowned trumpet player Wynton Marsalis composed “Concerto for Trumpet” for Sachs, which he premiered for a sold-out Severance Hall in 2023.  

Choosing Music over Madison Avenue: Both of Sachs’ parents worked in advertising agencies in New York, which eventually brought them to Los Angeles and Santa Monica, where Sachs grew up. The young Michael was intrigued by all of the exciting business dealings, but he was also falling in love with music. “When I was 4 years old, I saw an elementary school band play, and a kid got up and played a little trumpet solo. I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever heard.”  

Strings Attached: Sachs says his decades-long love story with his wife, harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, began in 1984 at a music festival in Colorado, “and we barely spoke to each other the entire summer.” After years of long-distance calls and missed connections, they finally reconnected when she locked her keys in her car — coincidentally, parked right outside of Sachs’ Cleveland Institute of Music teaching studio.  

Fanfare for the Home Team: A lifelong sports fan, some of Sachs’ favorite performances have been playing the national anthem at Cleveland Guardians games. Although he’s a ride-or-die for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has lived here long enough that he considers himself, for better or worse, a Cleveland sports fan. 

Sound Waves: A licensed ham radio operator since 1975, Sachs’s call sign is WD6DIR. Musicians make great radio operators, he says. “Morse code is rhythm.” 

Meet the rest of the 2026 class of Most Interesting People >>

For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.

Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.