Kathleen Jarrell
Acting Principal Second Violin
The Wolfgang Roth Chair
A native of South Bend, Indiana, Kathy Jarrell earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Peter Salaff and Lynn Blakeslee. She began graduate studies at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, studying with Camilla Wicks, and completed her Master of Music degree at Northern Illinois University under the guidance of Shmuel Ashkenasi.
Jarrell was a member of the winning quintet in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Junior Division. Immediately upon completing her master’s degree, Kathy won the position of Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. She has also appeared as a substitute violinist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, including the orchestra’s 2022 European tour. She performed on the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Grammy Award-winning recording of Symphony No. 7 by Anton Bruckner.
In addition to her performing career, Jarrell is deeply committed to music education. She maintains an active private violin studio and has coached young musicians throughout the Charlotte area for many years. She has taught at Arts+ Summer Orchestra Camp since 2004, has served as a violin coach with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra since 1995, and is also a violin coach with the Youth Orchestras of Charlotte.
Kathy is married to Charlotte Symphony stage manager John Jarrell. Together, they have three grown children.
What piece made you fall in love with music?
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
What do you hope audiences feel during a performance?
I hope our audiences are moved by the music. Whether they're discovering a new composer, hearing a beloved work live, or just losing track of time for a while, I hope our performances leave them feeling enriched and inspired.
