First year with SO: 2018

Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ

Instrument: Katherine currently plays a 2004 Benjamin Ruth violin made in Boston.

Education:
Bachelor of Music – DePaul University; Master of Music and Professional Performance Certificate – Lynn Conservatory of Music

Biography:
Originally from Cherry Hill, NJ, a suburb of Philadelphia, Katherine began playing the violin at age 10. Since then, she has enjoyed serving as concertmaster and in the violin section of numerous orchestras in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Florida where her playing was described by the Palm Beach Arts Paper as "lovely, poised and accomplished". Katherine currently serves as a section violinist with the Sarasota Orchestra and the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and plays regularly with the Jacksonville Symphony, the Naples Philharmonic, and the Orlando Philharmonic.

During her summers, she performs in prominent music festivals in Italy, Colorado, Philadelphia, St. Louis, New York, Florida and Kansas. In addition to her private teaching studio, she currently serves as Artist Faculty at the Dali Quartet International Music Festival in Philadelphia and the Porterville Strings Summer Workshop in California.

Passions/Interests:
Aside from orchestra and chamber music, Katherine loves traveling to new places and especially trying new foods! She also loves to cook and play tennis.

Career Highlights:
Some of Katherine's most beloved musical memories include:

• Winning first prize in the 2016 Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York competition with her string quartet and giving their New York City debut concert in May 2017. 
• Performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto at age 15 with the New Jersey Ocean City Pops Orchestra as her solo debut
• Being awarded the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts and Education
• Having the mayor of her hometown of Cherry Hill proclaim April 12th "Katherine Baloff Day" in honor of her musical achievements and contributions to the community