Katherine is a versatile musician as both a classical violinist and Celtic fiddler, bringing artistry and authenticity to both traditions. Her performances have taken her from outdoor music festivals to international concert halls, and along the way has earned Scottish fiddling awards and recognition at the regional and national levels.

 

Raised in a small New England town, Katherine grew up immersed in classical music as well as the culture of traditional music and community square dances. After studying violin and religion at Oberlin College/Conservatory, she discovered her lifelong passion for traditional Irish and Scottish music. Over the years she has learned from renowned fiddlers Eileen Ivers, Martin Hayes, Alasdair Fraser, Bonnie Rideout, and Jerry Holland. Her performances and arrangements are also shaped by studies in Baroque violin, medieval and Renaissance bowed instruments, and improvisation- resulting in a distinctive style that bridges historical performance, classical artistry, and Celtic traditions.

 

Katherine currently performs with Julie Kinn (vocals, bodhrán, whistle), Josh Kinn (vocals, bouzouki, banjo, and octave mandolin), David Scheim (harp and piano), and Geoffrey Saur (pipes). Previously, she was a member of the Celtic/early music ensemble Boar's Head Consort, which won first place in the Baltimore Chamber Music Competition and performed extensively throughout the Baltimore–Washington, D.C. area. She also performed with the Baltimore Irish band Keltia and the Cambridge, Massachusetts Revels production. After moving to North Carolina, Katherine studied Irish dance at the Rince na H’Eireann School of Irish Dance, and danced at community events in the Triad area. 

 

Katherine is a member of the Winston-Salem Symphony and has performed with the Washington Chamber Orchestra, Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, Garth Newel Music Center, Carolina Chamber Symphony, and the symphony orchestras of Harrisburg, Annapolis, Roanoke, and Charlotte. As an orchestral and freelance musician, she has shared the stage with many notable pop and folk performers-- including Eric Clapton, The Indigo Girls, Bruce Hornsby, Yanni, Barry White, The Manhattan Transfer, Eileen Ivers, Boys2Men, Chris Thiele, Ben Folds, Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, Branford Marsalis, and Ricky Scaggs--and classical greats Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Rene Fleming, Joshua Bell, Midori, and Luciano Pavarotti.

 

A passionate educator, Katherine maintains a private violin studio and serves as an adjunct professor in the UNCSA School of Music and Wake Forest University Department of Music. She is also the Founder and Director of Blue Ridge Suzuki Camp in Orkney Springs, Virginia.

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