Bio:

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Käthe Jarka has performed to critical acclaim in major concert venues across the United States, Canada, and in Europe as a recitalist and chamber musician. She has collaborated with such artists as Yo-Yo Ma, Ruth Laredo, Grant Johannesen, Donald Weilerstein, and the Juilliard Quartet, and has participated in the Marlboro Music Festival. She has appeared several times as a guest with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. While a member of the Shanghai Quartet, she toured extensively, appearing at the Tanglewood, Norfolk, and Ravinia festivals. She has performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Since 1990 she has been an artist member of the Garden City Chamber Music Society, performing a wide range of repertoire with some of the finest chamber musicians of the day. She is also a member of cello trio Vc3, with cellists Elizabeth Anderson and Robert LaRue.

Ms. Jarka has been on the faculties of the University of Richmond, Virginia and the Preparatory Division of the Peabody Conservatory, has served as chamber music assistant to the Juilliard Quartet, and as a coach for the Young Musicians Program of the Education Division of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She has also served on the faculty of Mannes Prep where she taught students of all ages. A certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, Kathe also served as a member of the faculty of Alexander Technique New York City (ATNYC), a teacher-training school for Alexander Technique, and The Neighborhood Playhouse, a top-ranked drama school in New York City.

Käthe Jarka holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School where she was a scholarship student of Leonard Rose. She was also the recipient of a Fulbright Grant, for study with William Pleeth in London.

Ms. Jarka is frequently heard on National Public Radio, and has appeared several times on Around New York with host Steve Sullivan. Recordings include works by Debussy, Roberto Sierra, Gaubert, and Copland on the Pickwick, New Albion,  MSR and MMC labels.