Sub-Principal Horn
Born in Reading, Kathryn Saunders began playing the tenor horn at the age of nine at the South Berkshire Music Centre. After building up a huge amount of love for the instrument and Saturday morning band, she was later introduced to the French horn, eventually going on to study at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with Hugh Seenan, becoming a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra in 2000.
After three years of freelancing, she joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2003, becoming the first female to be appointed to a London self-governing orchestra Horn section. The thing that she loves most about the RPO, and what has helped her to navigate the past twenty years, is her colleagues in the Horn section and their ability to make her laugh every single day.
Kathryn is also passionate about sport, in particular football and athletics – aged sixteen she won the Under-20 South of England 400m championships!
Kathryn is currently on sabbatical.
Kathryn gratefully acknowledges the support of her Chair Partners, Charles and Monica Eve.