Katharine Hensley is an Ames/Gilbert native who began her music career in the 2 nd grade. As a young girl, she learned to play guitar, accompanying herself while she sang in recitals. It was through those lessons that she found her voice and her love of music. Her hope, through teaching, is that she can help others to find that same love for music that she first did.

In school, Katharine earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at Iowa State University under the instruction of Jean Thomas. Following her studies at ISU, Katharine went on to receive her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. While at CIM, she studied with the esteemed George Vassos, founder of the Art Song Festival.

As a performer, Katharine is a lyric soprano who enjoys all types of opportunities on stage whether it be oratorio solos, stage productions, or recitals. One of her favorite roles to perform has been Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, his longest soprano role. A highlight of her career will always be singing on stage with the world-renowned Iowa native, Simon Estes.

When teaching, Katharine’s number one goal for her students is happy and healthy singing. Her teaching philosophy is to foster and cultivate a love for music within her students by educating them on classical technique, appropriate breathing, clear diction, and sincere musicality. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singers (NATS).