Musician Profiles:
Leanne King and Ryan Bassett
Our fall issue highlights violist Leanne King and double bass player Ryan Bassett, two musicians who grew up in different parts of the country yet shared a vision of becoming an orchestral musician. Get to know Leanne and Ryan through this feature.
GRSMA: Where did you grow up, and were you part of a musical family?
Ryan Bassett: I grew up in State College, Pennsylvania. My mom is a pianist and organist, and she played a big role in my musical development. But we are the only musicians in my family.
Leanne King: I grew up in a quiet suburb of Jackson, Mississippi called Clinton, where I participated in Mississippi Symphony Youth Orchestra, church and school choirs, band (I played trombone for three years!), and orchestra (when I played violin). I bought a viola in college after I heard “Trauermusik”, a beautiful piece for viola and string quartet by Paul Hindemith, performed by my future teacher, Igor Fedotov. My family is indeed a musical one. My father Lew has degrees in both organ and composition and was the Minister of Music at my church in Jackson. My mother Linda sang and led children’s choirs at church. And my big sister Laurel played violin, piano, cello, clarinet, and classical guitar. As a family, we would perform together for different church events. At those events, my dad would often tell the crowd, “Linda and I decided that our kids would be either musical or miserable…and they’re both."
GRSMA: Tell us about your musical studies. Where did you receive your training to win an audition for the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS)?
RB: I earned a bachelor’s in double bass performance and a master’s in musicology from Penn State through an integrated five-year program during which I studied bass with Rob Nairn. After that I went to Carnegie Mellon University and worked on performance certificates for two and a half years with Micah Howard of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Once I left Carnegie Mellon, I continued to study privately with Brandon McLean, associate principal of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, for about four years. I feel very lucky to have studied with each of these teachers and could go on about each of their wonderful qualities. Many times they believed in me more than I believed in myself, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for their kindness, encouragement, and patience.
LK: I earned my bachelor's in viola performance at Western Michigan University, and my professor was Igor Fedotov. After graduating and wandering around Europe for three months, I decided to buckle down and audition for my Master's degree. I attended The Magic Mountain Music Farm in upstate New York, where I spent an intensive week of practice training with pedagogue Burton Kaplan. That week had a very positive effect on me because I secured a full scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in 2003. Upon leaving in 2006, I auditioned for the GRS, started subbing there, and I won my GRS job in 2007.
GRSMA: Who are among your musical mentors and heroes?
RB: My first and most important musical mentor is my mom. I started out on the cello when I was about 7 or 8 years old, and she would come to my lessons and then patiently practice with me every day.
I can really appreciate how much that helped me now, but at the time I didn’t. She will still help me prepare for auditions by listening to mocks and sending me practice rounds. In addition to my teachers, the other person who has been very influential for me is Gil Katz, principal bass of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra. I have been lucky to play in his section for a number of years and have learned so much about ensemble playing, listening, and blending from his example, as well as how to be a respectful and supportive colleague to fellow musicians and conductors.
LK: My big sister Laurel has always been a huge mentor for me. I consider her a better musician than me, although she chose to become a translator in Germany where she still is today. She plays cello with a Bossa Nova band in Frankfurt called Chica Banda. GRSMA violist Olga Ziabrikova has been a great friend and mentor since 1996, when we met in Mississippi. It has been my honor to get to play for her and next to her, as we are often paired together on a stand. More recently, I have acquired a lasting friendship and profound inspiration from Robert Swan, retired Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) violist, and Csaba Erdelyi, known internationally for his reconstruction of the Bartok Viola Concerto. Burton Kaplan inspired me with sayings like, “if you can’t sing back what you just played, doubt you’ve heard it,” and “if I help you, I help myself.” Last, but certainly not least, my viola professor at CCM, Masao Kawasaki, formerly a DeLay Assistant at Juilliard, was a quiet, reserved, man of few words, but spoke volumes through his elegant playing. You can see him play with violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg in the wonderful 1999 documentary “Speaking in Strings."
GRSMA: Who are your favorite composers?
RK: I really like J. S. Bach, Puccini, and Mahler.
LK: My favorite composers rotate depending on my mood. So I’ll focus on the five that come to my head: Prokofiev, because his Romeo and Juliet ballet rocks. French composer Erik Satie, due to his charming piano collection “Gymnopedies." Giaccomo Puccini, for his opera “Tosca” (whenever I hear “E lucevan le stelle” sung by Pavarotti, I melt into a puddle). Verdi, as his Requiem “Dies Irae” gives me chills. Finally, Franz Schubert, as Joyce DiDonato’s version of his "Die Wintereisse” is my go-to when I need a German-Schubertian hug.
GRSMA: Ryan, how was your experience in relocating to Grand Rapids?
RB: Honestly, it was a bit of an adjustment, particularly being farther away from my friends and family. But I’ve been fortunate to meet so many great people here, so it didn’t take too long to start feeling comfortable. I really enjoy being so close to Lake Michigan and have been taking advantage of the beach and all the hiking trails.
GRSMA: Leanne, do you have any advice to give to Ryan, as a new member of the GRS?
LK: Volunteer to serve on a committee at some point when you are able, to better understand the inner workings of our institution. Also, be sure to make friends in other sections. If you hear a colleague play a solo you liked, tell them. It might be the nicest thing anyone has said to them all day. Sow the seeds of love.
GRSMA: If you weren't a musician, what other career path would you have taken?
RB: I think I would have explored musicology more. If I can’t be playing classical music, I would enjoy reading and listening to it as part of my career. Being a small business owner also seems like a rewarding path, too.
LK: I would probably be a lawyer, a French teacher, a psychologist, or an actor.
GRSMA: What are your hobbies or interests?
RB: I really enjoy strength training, hiking, history, science fiction, and watching movies.
LK: In May of this year, I started playing the djembe, a West African drum found in countries like Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana. I want to mention that Leah Ivory is my djembe coach.
Also, at the beginning this year, I became a bonsai enthusiast and have about six plants. I plan to stick them all in a grow tent this winter to get a jump start on spring, so they’re more tolerant for pruning and coiling. I’m also reading books on prepping for the L-SAT, because why not?
GRSMA: What would you say is the most rewarding part of being in the Grand Rapids Symphony?
RB: Bringing a wide variety of concert series to our audience and seeing how much they enjoy the performances is very special. Making music with an orchestra made up of not only wonderful musicians but kind people has also been a deeply rewarding aspect for me.
LK: Concerts are really fun. I love performing and letting the music move me. I feel supported musically by the strength and sound of my colleagues who inspire me to play my best.
GRSMA: Is there a past GRS concert that you will always remember fondly?
RB: I found the symphony’s recent performances of the third movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony to be especially beautiful and moving. Performing Tan Dun’s "Wolf Totem" Concerto with double bassist (and former GRSMA musician) Joseph Conyers was also a highlight, and it was extra special to have him join the section for Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony too.
LK: I thoroughly enjoyed our recent performance of Debussy's "La Mer.” The GRS cello section rocked, and all of the orchestra soloists were spot-on in their performances. I’m very impressed with the hard work and artistry displayed by everyone in the orchestra.
GRSMA: The 2025-26 GRS season is underway. https://www.grsymphony.org/2025-26-season Is there a specific concert that you look forward to performing?
RB: I am really looking forward to Brahms 4th Symphony. https://www.grsymphony.org/brahms-fourth Although I am not scheduled to play Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," I will definitely be in attendance.
LK: For me, it's Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe”on March 27th and 28th. It is a very challenging piece, rife with excitement and passion. I hope that the viola section will get a special bow at the end because we are going to rock it! https://www.grsymphony.org/seductive-ravel
GRSMA: Is there anything else that you wish to share?
RB: I feel very fortunate to be part of this special orchestra and am looking forward to the season ahead.
LK: Go, Violas!!!!