Biography

Katherine Schmit is a performer and teacher based out of Madison, Wisconsin. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Katherine studied music education with an emphasis in trumpet performance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education in the Spring of 2023. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in trumpet performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the instruction of Jean Laurenz.

 

 Katherine has played in a wide variety of ensembles, including the Madison Symphony, the Wisconsin Chamber Choir, the UW Wind Ensemble, UW Trumpet Ensemble, Aurora Brass Quintet, UNL Symphony Orchestra, UNL Wind Ensemble, UNL Jazz Orchestra, and Quintessential Brass. She also has experience working with marching bands, serving as a two-year drum major for the Cornhusker Marching Band and now as a Teaching Assistant for the UW Bands.

 

For the past five years, Katherine has enjoyed teaching trumpet lessons to students of all ages. She provides students with a safe, structured, and fun learning environment and adapts her instruction to meet the needs of each individual. During her semester of student teaching, she worked with middle school band and orchestra students. Katherine has served as a counselor for UNL’s drum major camp and as high brass technician for Lincoln Northeast High School.

 

In 2023, Katherine received the Russ Swanson Outstanding Band Member award, a recognition given to one student in the UNL band program each year. She was also awarded the Hixson-Lied Student Leadership award in 2023 and was named UNL’s Distinguished Undergraduate Artist/Scholar in 2022. In 2020, Katherine was co-winner of the Lincoln Municipal Band’s John Shildneck Young Artist award. Past trumpet teachers include Tom Kelly, Scott Quackenbush, and Darryl White. Katherine is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity and the International Trumpet Guild.