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Cellos

Kate Setterfield

Sub-principal Cello 
Headshot of cellist Kate Setterfield

Kate was born in Derbyshire and started to play the cello at the age of 5 when her family moved to St Albans in Hertfordshire. 

She studied at the junior department of the Royal Academy of Music and at the age of 18 continued her studies there with Lionel Handy and David Strange. She was then awarded a Dean's scholarship to study at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with Lynn Harrell. 

On her return she joined the CBSO as a tutti player. After 4 years she was appointed to the sub-principal position which she still holds. 

Since joining the CBSO Kate has also worked with other orchestras such as the LSO, Philharmonia, RPO, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Halle. 

In addition to this she has been a regular performer in the Centre Stage chamber music series and she has particularly enjoyed participating in several different CBSO outreach projects, playing to and working with schoolchildren with special needs and people with dementia. 

Her young twin boys keep her active, with walks and bike rides in the Warwickshire countryside being family favourites. 


Photograph of Kate Setterfield clapping and smiling in a children's library, whilst another performer plays the Ukulele behind her

Live in concert

  • Centre Stage: American Strings

  • Centre Stage: Brahms' Piano Quintet

Photograph of cellist Kate Setterfield performing in a children's library

Supported by Dr J A Dewsbury in memory of Tony

Meet more of our players

  • Headshot of cellist David Powell

    David Powell

    Sub-principal Cello
  • Headshot of cellist Miguel Fernandes

    Miguel Fernandes

    Sub-principal Cello
  • Headshot of cellist Eduardo Vassallo

    Eduardo Vassallo

    Section Leader Cello
  • Photograph of Arthur Boutillier holding his cello in front of a wall decorated with graffiti

    Arthur Boutillier

    Principal Cello No.3

Further content for Kate Setterfield

Keep exploring... Meet the whole Orchestra

Photograph of Kazuki Yamada conducting the orchestra at Symphony Hall

Contact Details

(0121) 616 6500 information@cbso.co.uk

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Supported using public funding by Arts Council EnglandSCC

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