Gunnar Sahlin

Cello Teaching Artist

After 3 years of study at the Academy of Music in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Gunnar joined the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in 1975.  As a member of that orchestra, he participated in tours all over Europe and in the US, playing with world famous soloists and conductors.  The orchestra appears at the annual Nobel Prize Ceremonies at the Stockholm Concert Hall. 

 In 1979-80 Gunnar studied at Juilliard School of Music in New York City during a sabbatical.  In 1987 Gunnar had the opportunity to perform for and learn from Yo-Yo Ma in a Master Class at the Stockholm Concert Hall.

Gunnar moved to the US in 1988 and is a freelancing musician in Fairfield County and New York.  He was Principal Cellist of Norwalk Symphony Orchestra from 2002 and retired from that position in 2024.  Gunnar has worked with many contemporary composers and premiered works by Alan Cohen, Constance Walton, Joe Russo, Gwyneth Walker and composer/pianist Marc Chan.

 In 2003 Gunnar became conductor of the Fairfield County Symphony Society which is a string ensemble for adults, which meets every Tuesday night in Norwalk and which sometimes works with winds and professional soloists.  

In 2024 Gunnar joined Project Music and is delighted to teach there twice a week.  He also teaches privately in his home in Stamford, CT.