Icelandic cellist Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir creates immersive musical experiences that bridge classical tradition, contemporary music, and improvisation. Praised for her “emotional intensity” by the Los Angeles Times, she has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Seattle Symphony, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Iceland Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in leading venues worldwide, among them Carnegie Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Barbican Centre, Suntory Hall, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Her recordings reflect a deep commitment to both the classical canon and new music. Her solo album Marrow: The 6 Suites for Solo Cello by J.S. Bach was hailed by The Arts Desk (UK) as “a front runner among recent recordings” for its poised, lyrical interpretation. Other releases include Vernacular, a collection of Icelandic music for solo cello, and Quake, an award-winning cello concerto written for her by Páll Ragnar Pálsson and nominated for a 2021 Grammy. Her most recent album, Songs from Home, features arrangements of Icelandic songs created with her brother, guitarist Skúli Thorsteinsson.

Born in Reykjavík, Sæunn is co-Artistic Director of Tertulia NYC and expands her work into improvisation through her online Music Portal and personalized Soul Resonance Sessions.