Katie Plays Violin!

History

I began my study of the violin at age nine in the fourth grade orchestra program of the West Des Moines Community School District. I took lessons at school from Roger Schneider, one of the most legendary teachers in the program. At age fourteen, I began to take private lessons from Larysa Kozak, a violinist in the Des Moines area, and member of the Des Moines Symphony. During the summer of 2002, I spent five weeks studying violin at Northwestern University as part of the National High School Music Institute (NHSMI). Upon my return to Des Moines in the fall, I began taking lessons from Alice Bodnar, another Des Moines area violinist and member of the Des Moines Symphony. Currently, I continue to play many concerts with the Valley High School String Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. I also perform regularly with a string quartet.