After seven years performing in the San Francisco Bay Area with a variety of orchestras, chamber ensembles, and popular artists, violinist Tess Varley has returned to her home state of Pennsylvania and is currently based in the Philadelphia area. Tess is currently a member of Symphony in C and the Delaware Symphony and is a regular player with Opera Philadelphia. 

In the Bay Area, Tess served as Assistant Principal Second of the Stockton Symphony, rotating Concertmaster of the unconducted chamber orchestra One Found Sound, and a regular player with a number of Bay Area orchestras. Previous leadership positions include Principal Second of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and Concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute Festival Orchestra. Tess received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Boston University and a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Recent orchestral engagements include performances with Opera Philadelphia, Delaware Symphony, Symphony in C, Allentown Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, Reading Symphony, California Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, Fresno Philharmonic, and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Past orchestral appearances include the New World Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas and two seasons with the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina.

As an educator, Tess recently served on the faculty of Settlement Music School's Music Education Pathways program and directed the Chamber Music Program and Chamber Orchestra at the Urban School of San Francisco. Tess has maintained private teaching studios in both San Francisco and the greater Philadelphia area. From 2014-2016, Tess taught as a member of the violin and chamber music faculty at the Lutheran Summer Music Program at Luther College. Outside of the classical scene, Tess has performed with popular artists such as Kygo, Childish Gambino, Michael Buble, Journey, Celtic Women, Celtic Thunder, Il Volo, Tim McGraw,  and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. As a part of the Magik*Magik Orchestra of San Francisco, she can be heard on the soundtrack for the Oscar nominated short film The Dam Keeper.


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