Katinka Kleijn, cello
A native of The Hague in the Netherlands, Katinka Kleijn began her undergraduate studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam at age sixteen. That same year, she won first prize in the Dutch National Princess Christina Competition, having won first prize in the junior division four years earlier. In 1992, after studies with Andy Lim in Cologne, Germany, Katinka received a scholarship for training abroad from the Dutch Government to study with both Lynn Harrell at the University of Southern California and Laurence Lesser at the New England Conservatory of Music. Upon her graduation from NEC, Katinka joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1995.
She has been invited to appear as soloist with the The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Sheboygan Symphony, Indian Hill Symphony Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony, Highland Park Strings and Lakeshore Symphony. She has also appeared as soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the Orchestra1s youth concerts. Other appearances include performances at the Marlboro and Ravinia Festivals, Ravinia's Rising Stars Series, Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, and the MusicNow Series at Symphony Center. In The Netherlands she gave concerts in Dilligentia Hall and Anton Philips Hall in The Hague and on National Dutch Radio. She has collaborated with pianist Richard Goode, cellist Lynn Harrell, and members of the Beaux-Arts Trio and Orion String Quartet. A member of the Sebastian String Quartet, she performs regularly with the Chicago Chamber Musicians and was invited to join the Kronos Quartet. She recorded the David Baker Cello Concerto with the Chicago Sinfonietta, under Maestro Paul Freeman, for the Cedille label, as well as the Dello Joio Trio with former CSO principal flutist Donald Peck for Boston Records.
Katinka is president and founding member of the Holland-America Music Society (HAMS). A not-for-profit organization dedicated to the education and recognition of young artists, the HAMS Advisory Board includes artists such as pianist-conductor Daniel Barenboim and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. HAMS organizes an annual competition for outstanding young string players, and the main prize is the use of an instrument by renowned Dutch violin maker Koen Padding.
