Patti Niemi has been a member of the percussion section of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1992. Prior to joining the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Patti was a member of the New World Symphony from 1988-1992, under music director Michael Tilson Thomas. She recently recorded chamber music for composer Howard Hersh, including the premiere of "Night for Clarinet and Marimba" with opera colleague Jose Gonzalez Granero. Patti earned a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School in 1987. Her two favorite things to do are play music and write, so naturally, writing about music is also high on the list. Her first book, a memoir entitled Sticking It Out, is available in the San Francisco Opera Gift Shop, on Amazon, and at www.stickingitout.com.