03/11/2026
Meet Sandy Leem, SFCO Principal Violist!
Violist, Sandy Leem is in demand near and far for the beautiful artistry she brings to orchestral, chamber music, and recording projects alike. She has served as Principal Viola of the SFCO for 16 years, a position to which she brings deep musical integrity.
Sandy is also a member of Grammy Award-winning Santa Fe Opera orchestra, and has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and has held principal and section positions with the Concerto Soloists/Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Pops, and Opera Philadelphia. She has also stepped in as Principal Viola with the Berkeley, California, and Marin Symphony and performs with many Bay Area ensembles.
Sandy has performed across the United States and Europe, and has recorded extensively for The Studio in Philadelphia, NFL Studios in New Jersey, and at Skywalker Ranch on major motion picture and television/streaming series.
She works for the Pleasanton Unified School District which began when she started bringing music to her three sons’ classrooms. She maintains a private studio in Pleasanton, guiding many local students from their earliest musical experiences through high school and beyond.
Outside of music, she enjoys life’s simple pleasures — time with her rescue pets, friends and Appa (dad), traveling with her husband and sons, supporting charitable causes rooted in compassion and care for others, and tackling the occasional DIY house project.
You can help bring Sandy and the other talented SFCO musicians to the stage by becoming a sponsor! Sponsorship also comes with plenty of perks. More info at www.thesfco.org/become-a-sponsor
Alexandra Leem
