Violinist Kate Mayfield’s engagements span orchestra, solo recitals, chamber music, and modern performance projects. Equally at home on the symphonic stage and in intimate recital settings, she is known for refined musicianship, expressive depth, and a commitment to bridging the gap between classical music and contemporary audiences.

As an orchestral violinist, Kate performs with numerous prestigious ensembles, including the Grammy Award–winning San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, the Utah Symphony, and the Ballet West Orchestra, where she holds a tenure position and regularly serves as Associate Concertmaster. She also won a contract with the Boise Philharmonic. While studying at the world-renowned San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she served as Concertmaster of both the Symphony Orchestra and Opera Orchestra, and she was selected to participate in workshops with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

Beyond the orchestra stage, Kate maintains an active performance life across genres, appearing in jazz venues, Broadway shows, and interdisciplinary projects. She has collaborated with 8 time Grammy Award–winning artist Ms. Lauryn Hill, performed at SFJAZZ with Chris Potter and Brian Blade, served as Concertmaster of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival Orchestra, and worked with artists across musical theater, popular, and contemporary music.

As a solo and chamber artist, Kate leads The Mayfield Sessions, her signature recital series. Inspired by the tradition of historical music salons, these shows reimagine the classical performance as an intimate, story-driven experience designed to be engaging, emotional, and accessible to modern audiences.
Learn more about The Mayfield Sessions

Kate earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2024, where she studied with Simon James. Her additional teachers include Cordula Merks, David Park, Lucy Shaw, Mihoko Hirata, and Yuko Honda.