Katie Allen

Katie Allen joined the California Symphony in 2022. She is also Assistant Principal Second Violin in Opera San José and holds a section position in Santa Rosa Symphony. In addition to these appointments she performs with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Marin Symphony, Symphony San Jose, and Berkeley Symphony.

Ms. Allen began studying violin at the age of six, primarily with Ayako Kikuchi. She earned her undergraduate degree at DePauw University in 2019, where she studied with Tarn Travers. During her time at DePauw, she was a member of The Asbury String Quartet, a full-scholarship chamber music program through which she worked with distinguished guest artists and ensembles such as Yo-Yo Ma, Decoda, and A Far Cry.

She went on to earn her master’s degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Cordula Merks, concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. During her time at SFCM, she participated in masterclasses with violinist Hilary Hahn and San Francisco Symphony concertmaster Alexander Barantschik.

Outside of music, Ms. Allen enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with her cat, Nemo.