Icelandic cellist Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir is a fearless explorer of sound, weaving together tradition and innovation to create deeply immersive musical experiences. Known for her "emotional intensity" (Los Angeles Times), she has captivated audiences worldwide as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Iceland Symphony, among others. Her performances have graced iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Suntory Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Barbican Centre, and Disney Hall, each time drawing listeners into a world of profound expression and connection.

Her most recent recording, Marrow: The 6 Suites for Solo Cello by J.S. Bach, has been lauded internationally, with The Arts Desk (UK) calling it "a front runner among recent recordings" for its poised, lyrical interpretation. Other notable releases on the Sono Luminus label include Vernacular, an exploration of Icelandic music for solo cello, and Quake, an award-winning cello concerto written for her by Páll Ragnar Pálsson, which was nominated for a 2021 Grammy.

A passionate advocate for new music, Sæunn has collaborated with a diverse array of composers, including Daníel Bjarnason, Valerie Coleman, Reza Vali, Þeuriður Jónsdóttir, Halldór Smárason, Jane Antonia Cornish, and Melia Watras. She has premiered works by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, Betsy Jolas, and Sofia Gubaidulina, and in 2022, she premiered Gemæltan, a new cello concerto written for her by Veronique Vaka, as part of her residency with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

A sought-after chamber musician, Sæunn has performed alongside luminaries such as Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, and Richard Goode, and has appeared at festivals including Prussia Cove and Marlboro. She is a founding member of Decoda, the Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall, and was formerly Artist-in-Residence at Green Music Center's Weill Hall and cellist of the Manhattan Piano Trio.

Sæunn has garnered accolades in international competitions, including the Naumburg Competition in New York and the Antonio Janigro Competition in Croatia. An alum of Ensemble Connect, she has used her artistry to bring classical music into the heart of communities, performing at Carnegie Hall and engaging students in New York City's public schools. She has formerly served on the faculty of nthe University of Washington and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, Sæunn expands her classical foundation into improvisation, offering transformative musical experiences through her online Music Portal and personalized Soul Resonance Sessions.