Festival Mozaic is proud to have named bassist Susan Cahill as the Artist-in-Residence for the 2026 Season.
Festival Mozaic's Artist-in-Residence is underwritten by a generous contribution from Libbie Agran.
As Festival Mozaic's 2026 Artist-in-Residence, Ms. Cahill will work closely with Music Director Scott Yoo and Festival staff to curate her own series of performances in San Luis Obispo County throughout the year, and she will be a featured performer at the 2025 San Luis Obispo Summer Music Festival. Her next appearance in San Luis Obispo will be April 9-12. She will present a chamber music concert at SLO United Methodist Church as well as two jazz sets at the Libretto in Paso Robles. Additionally she will be working with the students at the Cal Poly Music Department and the Cuesta College Performing Arts Department.
Community Midday Concert: Cahill & Novacek
July 27, 2026 - 12:00 PM
Templeton Performing Arts Center
Susan Cahill has been a bassist with the Colorado Symphony since 1997. Before joining the symphony, where she held section and acting assistant positions, Cahill was on the faculty of the University of Denver and principal bass of the Louisiana Philharmonic in New Orleans. She is also a member of the faculty of the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, a member of the Grand Tetons Music Festival and a guest musician with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
As a solo and chamber performer, Cahill has performed with and is a member of several ensembles. As a founding member of Grande Orquesta Navarre and member of Extasis, she has performed across the country as well as internationally. Cahill has an active teaching career and has taught and presented master classes at numerous institutions and conventions worldwide. As a member of the faculty of the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, she is known for her teaching and coaching of the double bass chamber repertoire as well as her cutting-edge performances of the bass solo and chamber music literature.
Cahill has appeared as a guest star on the PBS Masterworks series “Now Hear This” with Stewart Goodyear and host Scott Yoo. With her writing partner, improvisational actor Jon Wilkerson, she has created memorable works that have accumulated many YouTube views. You can also view her many exciting chamber and solo YouTube videos made as a member of Festival Mozaic in San Luis Obispo.
Cahill performs on basses by Nick Lloyd (circa 2015) and Guiseppe Santori (circa 1824) as well as beautiful bows by E. Sartory and Evan Orman of Denver, Colorado.