The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) today announces the appointment of violinist Kay Stern to its faculty. Stern is currently the concertmaster of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, a position she has held since 1994. She will begin her own studio at SFCM in Fall 2017, in addition to continuing her role at San Francisco Opera.

“Kay is a major artistic figure in the Bay Area's music community,” says Wei He, chair of SFCM’s strings department. “She has such a diverse professional background not only as a great concertmaster, but also as a chamber musician, coach, and teacher. My colleagues and I are extremely honored to have her join our strings faculty at SFCM.”

“Being in close proximity to SFCM, I have had opportunities over the years to enjoy students and faculty in various performances and events,” says Kay Stern. “It has always been a hope of mine to interact more often and personally with the students, to share what I have learned from my many coaches and teachers, and from my own experiences. I am excited to join at this time in the vision and development of this school. The collaborations between departments and colleagues is very exciting, and I am thrilled and inspired to be a part of the team that is creating cutting-edge experiences and opportunities for their students.”

Kay Stern has held faculty positions at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Music Academy of the West and has made appearances at many music festivals around the world, including the Caramoor, Bard, Olympic, and Grand Teton music festivals. She has appeared on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center, CNN's Women Today, and Minnesota Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, among other programs. As the former first violinist and a founding member of the Lark String Quartet, she performed and gave master classes throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Stern has held concertmaster positions with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, Concordia at Lincoln Center, the Cabrillo Music Festival, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. She serves as concertmaster in many studio recording ensembles for film and video game soundtracks at George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch.

Stern also plays for fundraising events and has helped raise money for medical research, schools, arts organizations, and student orchestras. Community programs she has participated in include the New York Philharmonic Musical Arts Experience, Young Audiences of NY Children's Programs, Lincoln Center Student Programs, the Minnesota School and Resource Center for the Arts Touring Program, Seaside Music Academy, and Pacifica School Volunteers.

Stern attended The Juilliard School as a student of Dorothy DeLay, and also studied with Michael Davis at Ohio State University. Her concerto and chamber music recordings can be heard on Phillips, Nonesuch, Innova, MusicMasters, Koch International, Gramavision, and Albany Records.