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Friday February 4, 2022

Kathryn Nettleman Appointed Minnesota Orchestra Associate Principal Bass

Kyle Sanborn joins the Orchestra as a member of the bass section

Music Director Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra announced today that Kathryn Nettleman, a member of the Orchestra since 2009, has been appointed to the position of associate principal bass. In addition, Kyle Sanborn will become a new member of the Orchestra’s bass section in the 2022-23 season.

Nettleman began her official duties in this permanent role at the start of January 2022; however, the position is not at all a new one for her. From summer 2012 to February 2015, she served as the Minnesota Orchestra's acting co-principal bass, and from April 2015 to August 2021, Nettleman shared the first stand with Principal Bass Kristen Bruya in the role of acting associate principal.

“In her many years in an acting capacity in this position, Kate has demonstrated her dedication, skilled leadership, musicianship, and many other wonderful qualities that make her an excellent fit for the section,” said Bruya. “I’m also excited that we’ll be adding Kyle Sanborn to the Orchestra. Adding such a fine player as Kyle to finally bring us to a section of eight is a very exciting moment for all of us, and we look forward to welcoming him next fall.”

Kyle Sanborn is currently the assistant principal bass with the Calgary Philharmonic. He received his master’s degree in music performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Profile: Kathryn Nettleman

Kathryn Nettleman has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Prior to her move to Minnesota, she worked as principal bass of the Hong Kong Philharmonic under Edo de Waart, former music director of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Nettleman began playing violin as a fourth grader in the New Jersey public schools and switched to bass in eighth grade. Upon receiving direction from her outstanding high school band and orchestra teachers, she took lessons with jazz bassist Craig Thomas and then Neil Courtney of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She subsequently studied with additional eminent teachers—Homer Mensch at the Juilliard School and Donald Palma while a graduate student at Yale University. She continued her musical training as a fellow in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, performing under conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. 

Nettleman enjoys teaching bass sectionals at the University of Minnesota, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and Minnesota Youth Symphonies, and for community orchestras. She serves on numerous Minnesota Orchestra committees, working together with musicians, staff, board members and community groups.            

Artist Profile: Kyle Sanborn
Kyle Sanborn began playing bass at the age of 12 in Portland, Oregon. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon and his graduate degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Tyler Abbott and Kurt Muroki, respectively. Sanborn spent his summers with the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Verbier, Switzerland, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Brevard Music Center in Brevard, North Carolina.

Prior to joining the Calgary Philharmonic as assistant principal bass in 2018, Sanborn was a fellow at the New World Symphony Orchestra as well as a substitute for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and Charlotte Symphony. He was also a member of the Evansville Philharmonic during his time in Indiana.