She is a cellist who studied at Oberlin College, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree, followed by earning her Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory and Rutgers University.
In 1990 she became a cellist with the Minnesota Orchestra and two years later also became a member of the Bakken Trio. She received a McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians in 2001 with the Bakken Trio in 2001, remaining with the trio for 10 years before leaving in 2002.
As a soloist she has given many performances and received her second McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians in 2006.
An active chamber musician she has performed on a tour of Europe with the Ensemble Modern who are based in Frankfurt, Germany. She has also toured the United States with Music from Marlboro and participated at events such as the Alexandria Festival of the Lakes, Bach Dancing and Dynamite Festivals, Cactus Pear Music Festival, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Portland Chamber Music Festival along with many others.
Recordings she has performed on include Walden Pond by Dominick Argento and the Dale Warland Singers, Solo Settings by Charles Lazarus, Through the Years by The O’Neill Brothers, Love Beyond All Measure by Steve Patrunak, Let This Be the Time by Lori True, Offhsore: Chamber Works by Joseph Waters and David Haas and Friends along with many others.
When she’s not playing music she is a member of The Ravens ice hockey team in Minnesota.
Sources:
- https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/about/our-people/orchestra-musicians/katja-linfield/
- https://calendar.mnaccess.org/events/minnesota-orchestra-small-ensemble-concert-solo-cello/
- https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Katja%20Linfield
- https://oberlin.edu/cello
- https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/musicians-from-marlboro-15/
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/katja-linfield-mn0000797382
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/6671753-Katja-Linfield