Kimberly Russ

Pianist Kimberly Russ Olka celebrates a diverse musical career. Before moving to Cincinnati in 2016, she spent fourteen years as the Resident Pianist for the Seattle Symphony at the invitation of Maestro Gerard Schwarz. Additionally, Kimberly has appeared as Principal Keyboard for the nationally televised PBS series, All Star Orchestra. She is continually in demand as soloist and orchestral pianist, performing with Cincinnati Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Kentucky Symphony, and Lexington Philharmonic among others. An active recording artist, Kimberly can be heard on recordings, Pokemon Re-Orchestrated: Double Team! (YouTube, iTunes, and Loudr), Pura Vida, with Peter Ellefson, trombone (iTunes), Short Stories, with Melia Watras, viola (iTunes), Bhavani’s Oboe, with Bhavani Kotha, oboe (Naxos). Most recently, she can be heard on WGUC-radio’s newest fundraiser promotional recording performing Madeline Dring’s Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Piano with Suzanne Bona, flute, and Bonnie Farr, oboe.

Kimberly is the Founder and Director of Harmony for Heroes, a non-profit chamber music outreach program for our veterans, military, first responders, and their families. Harmony for Heroes is inspired by her son, a former enlisted Marine who served as a Combat Engineer in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and who is currently serving as a United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant.