Bassoon

Michelle Keem

Principal

Sponsored by Lee and Emily Duffus

Michelle Keem is principal bassoon of Santa Cruz Symphony and North State Symphony, in addition to playing regularly with many orchestras around the Bay Area. She has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles across North America and Europe, including the Oregon Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Antwerp Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Olmos Ensemble. She is also a founding member of Trio Auloi, whose performances include a recital in Boston’s Jordan Hall, and teaches bassoon at Sacramento State.

A native of New York state, Michelle has Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, where she studied with Rick Ranti and Richard Svoboda, and did additional graduate studies with Marc Goldberg and Patricia Rogers at Bard College Conservatory.

In addition to working as a performer and educator, Michelle is also an avid knitter and a longtime volunteer at a local farm animal sanctuary.