Instructor: Katie Benyo
-
20 years of teaching experience
-
Master's Degree in music from the Conservatory at UMKC
-
Level 1-Endorsed teacher in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy
-
Music Faculty at Ottawa University (https://www.ottawa.edu/bravesmusic)
-
Continued pedagogical studies
Miss Katie works hard to build a private studio that keeps students engaged and excited about learning music!
 Playing World Series Game 1 with the Starhaven Rounders |
|---|
 Playing at a Chiefs Game |
 On the big screen at the World Series of BBQ |
 Playing on the radio with Fourscore |
 Backstage pass from one of Miss Katie's performances with Lindsey Stirling and Evanescence |
 Always Learning! |
 With 2Cellos after our show |
 Recording some jazz for Project H's new album |
 Miss Katie with one of her teacher idols, Brenda Brenner at Indiana University. |
 Visiting an old school to perform Italian chamber music |
 Miss Katie meeting a violinist idol, Anne-Sophie Mutter |
 Kauffman Center |
 With Kerstin Wartberg, friend, and director of the German Suzuki Institute and author of the "Step By Step" violin series |
 Master's Recital at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UMKC |
 Rehearsal for a modern music performance: Violin and Electronics |
 Playing with Classical Revolution |
 Bacon a Difference show: opening for the Eli Young Band |
Check out a few of the groups Miss Katie has performed with:
Fourscore
Fourscore is a musically progressive, fashion-forward strings and piano ensemble that adds a pop of glamour to their musical performances. As Kansas City’s breakout ensemble in the genre, we offer an incredible fusion of flair and musicianship to every performance we do. Our songs are a blend of pop/rock covers and originals with Fourscore’s signature energetic style.
St. Joseph Symphony
Professional symphony.
Chromatic Sky
Chromatic Sky is a duo new to the KC scene, performing folk and pop covers and classical duets. Miss Katie plays guitar, violin, percussion, and sings lead and harmony vocals.
Cucharada
Cucharada is an Argentine tango band. Miss Katie occasionally joins to add tango violin.
Cowtown Country Club
Cowtown Country Club is a country and western swing band. Miss Katie occasionally joins as part of a twin fiddles section, playing harmonies and improvising in country, swing, and jazz styles.
Miss Katie
Miss Katie
Saturday Night (Social Distancing Edition)
Nickel Creek Cover by Guitar Student (Miss Katie on Fiddle)
Starhaven Rounders & Company 'Ida Red' 8.22.2015
Resume:
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
2015-2018 University of Missouri Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance, Masters in Violin Performance
2023 became a Level 1-Endorsed teacher in Paul Rolland String Pedagogy
2017 Retreat for Violin and Viola Teachers, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
2010-2012 Missouri Western State University, Bachelor of Music Degree with an emphasis in Violin Performance and Business
2006-2008 Southeast Missouri State University, Violin Performance
STUDIES
Classical Violin Instructors: Joseph Genualdi, Brenda Brenner, Rico McNeela, Tamamo Gibbs,
Dr. Brandon Christensen, Marc Thayer, and Elizabeth Suh Lane.
Fiddlers I've learned from: Matt Wyatt, Justin Branum, Junior Marriott, Bubba Hopkins, and Daniel Carwile. I play Texas-style, Missouri old-time, bluegrass, swing/jazz fiddle styles and have dabbled in Celtic and Irish fiddle playing as well.
Completed a Jazz Pedagogy course, 2 Jazz Improv courses, and a Jazz History course while attending UMKC.
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Classical Ensembles:
Sunday's at Three Chamber Music Series,
Paducah Symphony
St. Joseph Symphony
Medical Arts Symphony
Kinnor Symphony
Midwest Chamber Ensemble
Classical Revolution
Performances:
Kauffman Stadium, Game 1 of The World Series, 2015
KC & STL with Lindsey Stirling
KC & STL with Evanescence
Sprint Center with Two Cellos
Memorial Hall, Kansas City, KS, Opened for the Eli Young Band, Farmland Bacon a Difference Concert
Verizon Amphitheater, Yallapalooza
The American Royal World Series of BBQ
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, UMKC Orchestra
Kansas City's Cattle Baron's Ball, American Cancer Society
Arrowhead Stadium, Hy-Vee Hotzone for the Chief's Game
KKFI Radio Station
Opened for the country band, The Mavericks
A Few of the Groups I've Played With and/or Recorded With:
Lindsey Stirling
Evanescence
2Cellos
Fourscore
Cowtown Country Club
Cucharada
Sisterbot
Starhaven Rounders
Maria the Mexican
Project H
Julian Davis
Ramblin’ Roses
Dead Ven
Hipshot Killer
FIFTEEN YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
2020-Present Private Studio: Guitar/Violin/Fiddle, Online Instruction
2015-Present Private Studio: Violin/Fiddle/Viola/Mandolin/Guitar/Ukulele, Lee's Summit, MO
-
Instruct a large studio of private students weekly.
-
Studio performs two full recitals yearly along with volunteer performances.
-
Offer group lessons for all students, planning various group activities based on participating students.
2009 - 2015 Wyatt Violin Shop: Violin/Fiddle Teacher , Independence, MO
2006- 2009 Private Studio: Violin/Fiddle Teacher, Cape Girardeau, MO
2003-2006 Wyatt Violin Shop: Violin/Fiddle Teacher , Independence, MO
2019 VerArte, Arequipa, Peru
Taught private lessons, coached chamber music, and created and lead an improvisation class for an international music festival held in Arequipa, Peru.
2011 Artscape, St. Joseph, MO
Presented a class for two separate groups on Classical Violin vs. Fiddle Music. Played examples of both Styles of music and discussed the differences and similarities.
2007 Christian Out Church Day Camp, Hillsboro, MO
Taught at a Day Camp for Strings where I introduced fiddle playing to a large group of students. My students performed a couple fiddle tunes at the end of the camp.
2006 Three Trails Fiddle Camp, Independence, MO
Assistant instructor
JUDGING EXPERIENCE
2023 Missouri State Orchestra Auditions
2017 St Joseph Honors Orchestra Auditions
2011 Platte County Fair Fiddle Contest
2007 Cape Girardeau Youth Orchestra Auditions