Katie Klein is an experienced and passionate pianist and piano teacher in Orange County. Katie received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance with highest honors from Azusa Pacific University in 2014. She has been playing classical piano for over eighteen years and is also experienced in jazz, pop, and worship styles. In addition to performing, Katie loves teaching private piano and has been cultivating in her students an excitement and dedication to learning since 2009.
Katie has enjoyed many performance opportunities. At Azusa Pacific University, Katie performed often as a solo pianist and in collaboration with other musicians, sang in the Oratorio Choir, and toured with the University Choir and Orchestra. In 2009 she started competing in classical piano competitions and since then has received second place in the CAPMT Honors Audition, third place in the CAPMT Sonata Competition, and Honorable Mention in the Irvine Emerging Artists Competition. From 2007-2009, Katie earned awards for Outstanding Musicianship at the Irvine, Reno, and Fullerton Jazz Festivals. In addition to playing piano and singing, she has played percussion since age twelve, and in 2007 and 2009 she earned spots performing in the SCSBOA honor bands.
Katie’s prior teaching experience includes working at the Azusa Conservatory of Music, the Hillside Arts Academy, and Donner Mine Music Camp. In addition to teaching, Katie has extensive experience playing for choirs and instrumentalists. She accompanied the Brethren Christian Junior and Senior High School choirs from 2015-2016, as well as the choirs at the Azusa Conservatory of Music and Donner Mine Music Camp. She currently enjoys playing for Biola Youth Theatre and Los Altos Brethren Elementary School. She also plays for various events such as weddings, graduations, memorials, and church services. Furthermore, Katie has the pleasure of running her own piano studio and teaching students of all ages and levels. In the summer of 2016, she developed her own children’s music camp curriculum and taught students eager to expand their musical knowledge. Performing with others and helping students discover a love of music are two of her greatest joys.