November 1, 2026
Katie Kadarauch, Acting Associate Principal Viola
Katie Kadarauch joined the San Francisco Symphony in 2007 as Assistant Principal Viola and is currently Acting Associate Principal.
What was your first concert with the SF Symphony?
My first performances here were actually the final stages of my audition to join the orchestra, and it was Mahler’s Seventh Symphony. Part of what made that week so special was meeting my future colleagues and realizing in real time the degree of care and authenticity that goes into each performance from everyone.
Story continues below...
What was your first concert with the SF Symphony?
My first performances here were actually the final stages of my audition to join the orchestra, and it was Mahler’s Seventh Symphony. Part of what made that week so special was meeting my future colleagues and realizing in real time the degree of care and authenticity that goes into each performance from everyone.
Story continues below...
How did you begin playing the viola?
Oddly enough, viola came fairly late in the game, around age 14. As the child of musician parents, I was taking piano lessons by the age of five with violin soon following after, and then cello lessons as well for several years. But I kept searching for something that felt different than what I had. After my mother handed me her viola to try, I immediately felt the resonance and warmth of the instrument, and liked the way it made me feel connected. There is something undeniably beautiful about the instrument finally choosing its musician, and I joke very seriously that the viola found its way to me.
What were your next steps in becoming a professional musician?
Joining the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at age 14 (in my newfound identity as a violist) was my first big stepping stone that lasted 4 years. This secret musical life away from the high school norms included regular and rigorous rehearsing on Saturday afternoons, weekly sectionals and lessons with SF Symphony musicians, multiple concerts per year on the Davies stage, and two tours of Europe in beautiful concert halls. Having unlimited access to SF Symphony live performances on weekends was also thrilling and inspiring! By this time I had adopted a more intentional frame of mind: "Ok, not only do I love this, I think I love it so much that I must continue this path for life." I did my undergrad at both the Cleveland Institute of Music and New England Conservatory, and graduate studies followed in Los Angeles at the Colburn School. During this time I started to freelance with the LA Philharmonic and in the recording studios for film scores. Preparing for auditions required a certain type of grit and solitude for extended stretches of time, so being able to openly live my dream job and share that experience with others has been the greatest joy of my life.
What kind of viola do you play?
My viola, on generous loan from the San Francisco Symphony, was made by Dutchman Pieter Rombouts in the 1720s, so it’s about 300 years old. I’ve played on it for almost 10 years, and it’s truly a gorgeous instrument. I also own a kind of Dutch-Italian viola that’s quite sweet, and it saw me through my earlier years here at the Symphony.
What other musical activities do you have?
Every August I play in the Classical Tahoe Music Festival in Incline Village, which is such a stunning backdrop for all the outdoor chamber concerts. Next summer I’ll also be at the Spoleto Festival in Charlestown for a week of chamber music performances which has me really excited on many levels.
What do you enjoy outside of music?
I have an 11-year-old son who loves to challenge me at chess, so our time together includes lots of games, walks, and anything basketball-related. I love weightlifting, hiking or walking through San Francisco with my friends after brunch, reading, and of course the fantastic restaurant scene when I can get a scarce Friday night off!
Oddly enough, viola came fairly late in the game, around age 14. As the child of musician parents, I was taking piano lessons by the age of five with violin soon following after, and then cello lessons as well for several years. But I kept searching for something that felt different than what I had. After my mother handed me her viola to try, I immediately felt the resonance and warmth of the instrument, and liked the way it made me feel connected. There is something undeniably beautiful about the instrument finally choosing its musician, and I joke very seriously that the viola found its way to me.
What were your next steps in becoming a professional musician?
Joining the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra at age 14 (in my newfound identity as a violist) was my first big stepping stone that lasted 4 years. This secret musical life away from the high school norms included regular and rigorous rehearsing on Saturday afternoons, weekly sectionals and lessons with SF Symphony musicians, multiple concerts per year on the Davies stage, and two tours of Europe in beautiful concert halls. Having unlimited access to SF Symphony live performances on weekends was also thrilling and inspiring! By this time I had adopted a more intentional frame of mind: "Ok, not only do I love this, I think I love it so much that I must continue this path for life." I did my undergrad at both the Cleveland Institute of Music and New England Conservatory, and graduate studies followed in Los Angeles at the Colburn School. During this time I started to freelance with the LA Philharmonic and in the recording studios for film scores. Preparing for auditions required a certain type of grit and solitude for extended stretches of time, so being able to openly live my dream job and share that experience with others has been the greatest joy of my life.
What kind of viola do you play?
My viola, on generous loan from the San Francisco Symphony, was made by Dutchman Pieter Rombouts in the 1720s, so it’s about 300 years old. I’ve played on it for almost 10 years, and it’s truly a gorgeous instrument. I also own a kind of Dutch-Italian viola that’s quite sweet, and it saw me through my earlier years here at the Symphony.
What other musical activities do you have?
Every August I play in the Classical Tahoe Music Festival in Incline Village, which is such a stunning backdrop for all the outdoor chamber concerts. Next summer I’ll also be at the Spoleto Festival in Charlestown for a week of chamber music performances which has me really excited on many levels.
What do you enjoy outside of music?
I have an 11-year-old son who loves to challenge me at chess, so our time together includes lots of games, walks, and anything basketball-related. I love weightlifting, hiking or walking through San Francisco with my friends after brunch, reading, and of course the fantastic restaurant scene when I can get a scarce Friday night off!
