Legendary Disneyland Orchestra Violist Kay Pech Has Passed Away at 87
Kay Pech, the influential violin and viola player who brought joy to millions as a member of the Disneyland Orchestra, has passed away at the age of 87.
Pech was born in Iowa to a family that played no musical instruments. At the age of four, however, she began violin lessons, which led to a lifetime love of music.
Eventually, the young woman went to Morningside College, where she earned a bachelor of music education in violin performance, before heading to the University of Iowa, where she earned a master of arts in viola performance.
Joining the Disneyland Orchestra
After a stint with the Oklahoma City Symphony, Kay, her husband Pete, and their two young children moved to Southern California. There, Kay excelled in the area’s professional music scene.
In 1977, Pech joined the Disneyland Orchestra, serving as its Principal Violinist for the next 43 years. She also performed with the Pacific Symphony and Downey Symphony and taught music at Saddleback College and Cal Poly Pomona.
In the 1990s, Kay formed the Trio Sirena with pianist Rebecca Rollins and cellist Manon Robertshaw. The group was dedicated to performing music written by women composers.
Founding Chamber Music Institute/So Cal
Pech’s lifetime love affair with music led her to create the nonprofit Chamber Music Institute/So Cal in 1997. In 2018, Pech retired as the Principal Violinist of the Disneyland Orchestra.
After 80 decades of playing the violin, bringing joy to the millions who heard her, Kay Pech passed away at the age of 87.
To learn more about her extraordinary life and career, visit chambermusicinstitute.com/