Katie grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma City University in Instrumental Music Performance in 2004 and she did some graduate work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City at the Kansas City Conservatory. While she was in school, she was a member of the Oklahoma City University Wind Philharmonic and the Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma City University Flute Choir, the pit orchestra for multiple musicals and opera productions there at OCU, she performed in multiple chamber ensembles and was the Concerto winner and performed Mozart Flute Concertro No. 1, First Movement for Flute and Winds arranged by Dr. Matthew Mailman. While at UMKC – Conservatory, she performed with the Wind Ensemble and multiple chamber groups. She has studied with Parthena Owens, Dr. Valerie Watts, Nancy Stizza-Ortega and Dr. Mary Posses. She also participated in a masterclass with Walfrid Kujala and studied with Joanie Madden (member of the astounding music groupCherish the Ladies) while she studied at the Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Canada.
She began her teaching career in high school and judging the middle school solo/ensemble contests in the Oklahoma City metro area and continued teaching throughout her college career and adult life. While she was working on her Masters, she began teaching at the collegiate level at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, MO. While she resided in Kansas City, she performed with the Kansas City Flute Choir for three seasons.
In 2015, Katie moved to the East Texas area and began teaching middle school and high school students around the Longview, Texas area. She served as a member of the East Texas Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. James Snowden for seven seasons. In May 2023, she has moved back to Oklahoma and is now currently a member of the Tulsa Community Band.
Katie teaches a variety of ages of students from beginner to advanced. Her primary instrument is Flute and Piccolo but teaches beginning Piano, Oboe, Clarinet and Saxophone as well.
