Dr. Katherine Petersen

Piano and Chamber Music Faculty
Instruments: 
Piano
Program Area: 
Private Instruction
Chamber Music
With Music Institute of Chicago since: 
2016
Education: 

Katherine received her Bachelor of Music Degree from The New England Conservatory, her Master of Music Degree from The Schulich School of Music of McGill University, and her Doctor of Music from the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.

Significant teachers and mentors: 

Ms. Petersen has been a musician for many years and given that, she has had her fair share of exposure to some amazing teachers and musicians. Some of her most significant teachers over the years are: Sara Laimon, Stéphane Lemelin, Vivian Weilerstein, Jonathan Bass, and A. Ramon Rivera.

Teaching philosophy and areas of expertise: 

Katherine's teaching philosophy centers around playing the piano with ease and expression. She believes that given the repetitive nature of practicing, many students experience some discomfort or injury during their lifetime. Her teaching emphasizes the physical nature of piano playing and how to keep the body healthy and happy by practicing efficiently with a secure technique. Her goal is to help each of her students relate to the piano, and music in general, in their own personal way. Through her method of teaching, she helps students understand the technical side of playing an instrument in a way that is related to the expression of the music that they are playing.

Awards and achievements: 

Several of Ms. Petersen's awards are as follows: Dale Bartlett Prize for Chamber Music and Collaboration in 2015, Winner of the McGill Chamber Music Competition in 2013, Schulich Scholar at McGill University from 2012-2015, Graduate Excellence Fellow at McGill University from 2012-2015, and the Harold Helm Fellow at McGill University from 2010-2012.

Professional affiliations & activities: 

Several other affiliations she has are with the Duo Fae (www.duofae.com) and the Fifth House Ensemble (www.fifth-house.com).

Favorite composer or piece to play: 

I love performing anything by Brahms! I even wrote my doctoral thesis on his piano sonatas.