Robin Bonnell has earned a reputation among Northern California audiences and critics alike for his emotionally charged performances. Currently, he is the principal cellist of the Sacramento Philharmonic, the Monterey Symphony, and the Napa Valley Symphony; co-principal cellist of the New Century Chamber Orchestra; assistant principal cellist of the Santa Rosa Symphony; and a member of the Marin Symphony.

In addition to more than 50 orchestra concerts this season, Robin has played the Vivaldi Concerto for two cellos with Joanne Lin in performances with the New Century Chamber Orchestra; a program of piano trios with Jeff Kahane and Joe Edelberg as part of the Santa Rosa Symphony's Vienna's Golden Age Festival; and a program of chamber music with members of the NCCO at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

Recently, Robin collaborated with composer Gang Situ and the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company in the premier performances of "Si-Ji" (The Seasons) for Chinese dancers with solo cello at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.  In 2002, he recorded music by Alexis Alrich for the ODC production of "Aurora."

Robin is a past member of the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento, the Sacramento Symphony and was the principal cellist of the Sacramento Chamber Orchestra. He is a former member of contemporary music ensembles Earplay and Music Now, and was a member of Illuminati, a New York based big band. On two occasions, Robin has had the rare opportunity to play electric cello in a band with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh in performances in San Francisco. Robin can also be heard on a wide range of recordings. In addition to classical music, he is often engaged to record Jazz, Rock, New-Age, as well as commercial music.
  
From 1999 to 2001, Robin was the conductor of the Golden Gate Philharmonic , a youth orchestra in San Francisco. Each spring he gives numerous in-classroom demonstrations in public schools in the Bay Area. Robin is a lifelong resident of Berkeley, California.