A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, she currently serves as Principal Bassoon of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a position she has held since 2017 at the age of 24. Prior to her current appointment, Catherine was the Associate Principal Bassoon with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 22.
Working from the belief that music is more than playing the right notes at the right time, Catherine Chen approaches each piece as an opportunity to sing through her instrument and connect with the audience.