fbpx Skip to content
Buy Tix
Donate

Meet the Musicians

← Return to Meet the Musicians

Kathleen Foster, cello

Oct 24 2018

Where did you grow up? Toledo, Ohio

Where do you currently live? Green Creek, NC

What instrument do you play? Cello

Educational background: BS in Music Indiana University with teachers Janos Starker, Fritz Magg; MM in Music Bowling Green State University with teacher Peter Howard; Post-grad cello studies with George Neikrug

Personal Information (family, pets, kids, etc.): I have two children. My daughter lives and works in Maine. She is passionate about Ballroom dancing and competes regularly. My son is in Americorp for his year after graduating from U of M. I now live on a farm where I have a big garden, 16 chickens, four guineas, three horses, two dogs and five cats. I love living in the country and my animals love it.

How did you get started in music? My parents were both musicians. I began on violin and switched to cello in second grade when I was deemed big enough to handle the cello.

What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in? I play chamber music in the Lawson Trio and Rutherford Consort. I am also a member of the Asheville Symphony and the Spartanburg Philharmonic. I teach cello for the Lawson academy of Converse College.

What’s your favorite PSO memory to date? Magic Of Christmas is a very special show. There is nothing to compare to playing the singalongs and hearing 2,000 people in the audience on one side of me and the orchestra and chorus on the other. Everyone knows and loves those carols and to me, that is an incredible moment.

Describe a typical day: As a freelance musician my days are not all the same. Some days I teach much of the day. Other days are more individual practice and orchestra or chamber music rehearsal. Now that I am on the farm, my days do all begin with feeding the animals and letting the chickens out to roam.

What is the question you’re asked most often when you tell people you play with the PSO? How do you make such great music with so few rehearsals?

If you couldn’t be a musician, what would be your dream job? I can not imagine doing anything else with my life. I love the combination of playing and teaching. They each make the other more interesting. I might add more study of Feldenkrais as it is so helpful for teaching and playing.

Any non-musical hobbies? Gardening and horseback riding

What is your favorite music? What are you currently listening to? Any Mahler or Brahms…love the romantics!

Who or what has been your greatest influence, musical or otherwise? George Neikrug. He is the greatest cello teacher and has inspired me to go beyond in my teaching and playing.

Close Menu
2425 chamber series

Announcing the all new Chamber Series

In honor of its 100th anniversary season, the Portland Symphony Orchestra steps beyond Merrill Auditorium and brings the music to you.

This all-new Chamber Music series celebrates the intimate and artistically vibrant nature of small musician led groups as they perform on stages throughout the state of Maine.

LEARN MORE

Close Menu
full stage eckart conducting

Never been to a symphony before? Don’t worry, we’re here to help

Find the answers to all the questions about the orchestra you may be too afraid to ask!

Read our First Timer’s Guide

Close Menu
youth

Bring your class to a youth concert

Coming in 2025… The Portland Symphony Orchestra partners with Carnegie Hall to present Link Up: The Orchestra Sings! Link Up is a fully participatory, school-day concert program. Students will fill Merrill Auditorium to sing, play recorders, move, and listen along with the symphony from their seats. This program is designed for students in grades 3-5 but all are welcome and encouraged to participate!

Learn more

Close Menu
Sarah Atwood

your gift matters

Ticket sales cover only a portion of what it takes to produce the PSO’s artistic and education programs. Your generous support is vital in helping us deliver music programs that serve children and adult listeners.

MAKE A GIFT

Close Menu
DSC01043

ECKART PREU

Meet the PSO’s Music Director

LEARN MORE

Close Menu
FullHall (2)

Help keep the arts alive in Maine

Be an Arts Hero

Learn More