Katy Kristoffersen

Katy Kristoffersen’s 20 years of experience in coaching, accompanying, conducting, and teaching are backed by undergraduate degrees in music and psychology (Miami University, OH) and a master’s in music education (College of Mount St. Joseph).

Enamored by music from the start, at age two she was reaching for the piano to emulate her talented older siblings. She started composing piano pieces at age four and accompanying church choirs by age 12.

As an undergrad, Katy had the great privilege of studying with Dr. Ethan Sperry, a world-renown name in the choral and world-music spheres. He helped to draw out her confidence as an arranger and composer. Katy dated Mike Kristoffersen (contrabass) throughout college, which led to her accompanying every single string bass player in the university. She also caught the eye of bass professor, Dr. Steve Ullery, who requested that she accompany his recital as well as the great Edgar Meyer when he visited to teach a master class.

“Accompanist” is a good metaphor for Katy's skillset, although “joyful forklift” is apt, too. Katy thrives when in service of elevating people around her. This energy has drawn her to stretch her skills outward in several directions: through the lens of music (choral director, music director, private teacher, music educator, accompanist), and through the lens of mindfulness (teaching her original curriculum to corporate and government agencies, private coaching, and starting her own mindfulness course with Mike).

When not hopping from one responsibility to the next, you might find Katy and Mike trail running near their Ridgway home, hiking with their kids, or just sitting outside in the awe and beauty that drew them here in the first place.

Past Conductors