Kathryn’s Health Update (Oct 2024)
Sometimes, things break…
and you just need to pause to fix them.
This was my bow (thankfully not my good one) during my last performance for a bit, Ben’s very hot neighborhood block party. My bow was telling me something I already knew.
In late August, I was diagnosed with stage 1b breast cancer. It will require some time off from playing, in order to heal from surgery and potential further treatment. (My bow, on the other hand….)
I’m being quite open about this, because I think we’re stronger together than alone, and it’s easier to have that happen when I’m transparent. And I’m realizing even today, people don’t talk about it that much.
Thankfully, I’ve already been surrounded by a lot of amazing people pitching in to help Del Sol and to help my family. I’m honored that cellists Monica Scott and Sunny Yang can step in for me in some upcoming concerts.
If you are asking “how can I support Kathryn and Del Sol during this time?” here are some practical ways to do that:
show up the fall concerts with two awesome cellists who are stepping in for Kathryn. Let’s give them a warm reception from the Del Sol community! (check out our calendar for more info)
10/17 @7pm Matthew Welch Premiere with Monica Scott
11/16 @8PM Peninsula JCC concert with Sunny Yang
show up for our December Angel Island concert on 12/14! I’ll be there, either as performer or audience cheering everyone on.
continue to engage with Del Sol in other ways (I track the data, and this makes me happy!)
follow us on your listening platform (Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music, etc.)
follow us on Instagram or Facebook and engage with our posts
listen to our amazing podcast (with new bonus content being released this fall!)
send me a card (or your favorite/unusual non-alcoholic mixer or drink) to Del Sol HQ
751 47th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
We’re resilient, but it’s also important to say that this does have a financial impact for us.
Playing the cello and playing with Del Sol bring me so much JOY. (Did you know that’s my middle name?) Some of you may know I played my first concert 2.5 weeks after my daughter was born, not out of pressure but out of joy. I’ll be back before you know it, and meanwhile, the Del Sol family has a lot of great things to look forward to.
Kathryn inside Angel Island Immigration Station, doing what she loves. Top by NotAligne. Photo by Karen Song-Walker
Breast Cancer + Cello Nerd Alert
In my research of cellists who battled breast cancer, I rediscovered Charlotte Moorman, who worked with Korean artist Nam June Paik. We saw some of Nam June Paik’s work feature Moorman in Hong Kong’s new M+ museum last year. We had this weird week in September of all-Del-Sol-conversations-lead-to-Nam June Paik. Because, by the way, he’s the ex-great-uncle-in-law of Ali Wong, Bay Area-native and famous comedian.