Katey Jahnke

Assistant Professor of Horn

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Biography

Katey Jahnke (yahn-kee) is a dynamic hornist whose passion for music shines both as a performer and educator. Previously based in Fayetteville, Arkansas she is thrilled to make the move to Baton Rouge to join the LSU community as Assistant Professor of Horn for the 2026-2027 school year.

Dr. Jahnke began her collegiate teaching career in 2015 when she joined the faculty of Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio. Since then she has been on faculty at numerous other schools across Ohio, Iowa, and Arkansas including Marietta College, Central College, Grand View University and most recently, the University of Arkansas. As a teacher, she prides herself on creating a safe space for students to learn and grow while maintaining high standards for preparation and performance. Recent student accomplishments include performances with the Arkansas Philharmonic and Fort Smith Symphony, Outstanding Student Awards from both the University of Arkansas Band and Music programs, competition wins from the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition and University of Arkansas Honors Recital, and participation in summer programs such as Cormont Horn Camp, Seraph Brass Summer Institute, and the British Isles Music Festival.

Sought-after as a clinician and guest artist, Dr. Jahnke has presented and performed at institutions such as University of Oregon, University of Kentucky, University of Texas, among others. Internationally, she has served as a clinician and adjudicator for the Music and Marching Arts International Association in Bangkok, as well as for the ASEAN Youth Winds, Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, and the Alfredo De Saint Malo Music Festival in Panama City, Panama.

An accomplished performer, Dr. Jahnke has graced stages worldwide as a soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician. Highlights of her recent performances include appearances in Thailand and Panama with the Lyrique Quintette, principal horn engagements with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Philharmonic, and solo performances at the International Women’s Brass Conference, International Horn Symposium, and festivals dedicated to celebrating women in music. Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Philharmonic, and numerous others.

Dr. Jahnke is a founding member and the horn player of the nonprofit organization the Wild Prairie Winds, a wind quintet dedicated to providing chamber music experiences for small, rural communities. The quintet has been featured as a guest artist in communities across Illinois, Texas, Washington, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Iowa performing in community-based venues and providing educational outreach. She is also a member of the newly formed brass quintet, Magnolia Brass, which features female performers and teachers from southern states; and a high brass trio, Sapphire Brass, who recently performed at the 2024 International Trumpet Guild Conference in California and will be a featured ensemble at the 2026 WindsWork Festival in Svalbarðseyri, Iceland.

A passionate advocate for female representation in music, Dr. Jahnke serves as Treasurer for the International Alliance for Women in Music and mentors through the International Women’s Brass Conference. Her presentations of women-centered programs have been featured at events such as the College Music Society's Regional Conferences, Women Composers Festival of Hartford, the Mississippi Music by Women Festival, and the SHE: Festival of Women in Music. She was a committee member and co-chair of the SHE: Festival of Women Music for five years, helping elevate the festival to international acclaim. Her support for women in music has been featured in the International Horn Call through a series of articles that highlighted works for horn by female composers and through numerous presentations exploring the history of all-female brass ensembles.

Dr. Jahnke earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa under Jeffrey Agrell. Her previous studies include Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Michigan under the guidance of Bruce Henniss, Dr. Andrew Pelletier, and Bryan Kennedy.