Elevate your Bass skills with Kody Thiessen

Kody Thiessen is a highly accomplished bassist who earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under the guidance of Scott Pingel. Thiessen is also a fellow with the San Francisco Academy Orchestra, working directly with Charles Chandler. In 2024, he was appointed Principal Bass for the Santa Rosa Symphony after serving in the section for two seasons.

Thiessen has performed with prestigious ensembles such as the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Symphony. He has also contributed to Broadway productions, serving as a substitute bassist for the North American Tour of Les Misérables. His discography includes the Grammy-nominated recording of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” by composer Gordon Getty.

A fellow of the National Orchestral Institute, Thiessen has enriched the Bay Area music scene with his performances with numerous orchestras, including the Symphony San Jose, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Modesto Symphony, California Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, Marin Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, and Oakland Symphony Orchestra.

When Thiessen isn’t performing, he enjoys cooking, fishing, reading, collecting records and practicing for his next orchestral sets and solo repertoire.