Sonja Larson was born in Misawa, Japan to a military family, so she grew up living around the world.
Sonja attended Washington State University from 2010-2014, earning her bachelor’s degree in Music Education and taking bassoon and composition lessons from Dr. Ryan Hare. After completing student teaching, she decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Bassoon Performance from Ithaca College, studying bassoon under Dr. Lee Goodhew Romm and Mr. Glenn Einschlag and taking composition lessons from Dr. Daniel Pesca.
After earning her Master’s Degree, Sonja enlisted in the US Army as a musician. She completed basic training in the summer of 2017 and then attended the Army School of Music later that fall, studying under Dr. Derek Bannasch. From there, Sonja was assigned to the Eighth Army Band in South Korea, where she participated in cultural outreach events as well as military ceremonies. In addition to performing, Sonja arranged pieces for concert band, wind quintet, and bassoon trio. While serving in Korea, Sonja met her husband, Andrew. In December 2019, Sonja moved to Fort Hood, Texas where she served as a bassoonist with the First Cavalry Division Band for three years, performing in military and community events in the Central Texas area. Throughout her time in Texas, she continued composing and arranging for chamber groups and concert band settings.
In August of 2023, Sonja moved to Colorado Springs where she currently serves as a bassoonist with the 4th Infantry Division Band at Fort Carson. Throughout her army career, Sonja has played in concert bands and wind quintets and has led marching bands as a drum major.
As a composer, many of Sonja’s works have been performed as part of army ceremonies. Her march for wind quintet, Tejon Street, was premiered at the 2025 International Double Reed Society Conference in Indianapolis.
In her free time, Sonja enjoys distance running, hiking in beautiful Colorado, and relaxing with her husband and two cats, Queen City and Invercargill.
Sonja Larson, Bassoonist and Composer 