Academy Student Spotlight: Katarina Kenney

"Being in such a welcoming and passion-driven environment has allowed me to meet other young artists whom I would want to continue working alongside in the future, and develop the skills I need to continue developing as a musician beyond my high school years."

At just 16 years old, Katarina Kenney is already an accomplished cellist and a member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy. She made her solo orchestral debut at 13 in a side-by-side concert with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and has since performed with many ensembles. This year, she won first prize in the 2025 Milwaukee Symphony Stars of Tomorrow Competition, performing the first movement of the Dvořák Cello Concerto. She also won first prize in the 2024 Madison Symphony Bolz Final Forte Competition, receiving the Marian Bolz Prize for Distinguished Musical Achievement. Her chamber music achievements are equally impressive, including silver and BIPOC performance prizes with the Pondrom String Quartet and gold, BIPOC, and audience prizes with the Elysian String Quartet both featured on public radio and major competition stages.

Katarina began cello lessons through the Suzuki Method just before turning four, guided by Flora Van Wormer. Today, she studies with Cornelia Watkins and has just completed her second year in the Academy.

Music has always been a constant in Katarina’s life. “Ever since I began to immerse myself in music, I have only grown to love it even more,” she says. “The majority of my family are musicians, so from an early age I have heard music constantly, from inside my house to performances of relatives.”

Her bond with her older sister Ava, a violinist, has been especially influential.  "She has been such a huge motivation to me, and I have never found anyone else whom I can connect with through music as well as I do with my sister. It has always been our dream to play together in the long term, and we hope to continue growing and collaborating in our musical journeys for years to come."

Since joining the Academy, Katarina has found her musical environment incredibly motivating. "I have constantly been inspired by all of the other musicians around me. Participating in masterclasses, performances, and coachings pushes me to strive to become the best musician I can be, and allows me to learn from others who have the same interests."

She recalls the welcoming community from her first day. "I remember my first full day at the academy; I was nervous to play around all of the other students in the Academy because I had always looked up to them as musicians. But right as I walked in the door, a senior came up to me and shook my hand, asking my name. From that moment on, I have always felt that the Academy had such a huge sense of community, and despite there always being people to look up to, there was never a moment when I felt inferior to the other students."

She credits the Academy’s collaborative environment with giving her some of her most rewarding musical experiences. "Whether it’s in string orchestra exploring new repertoire, in smaller chamber settings with our year-long groups, or just sight-reading music with friends during our breaks, it is always such an incredible experience to spend time playing with other young artists with the same passion and desire to discover more."

A lasting piece of advice comes from Academy Director and Conductor Jim Setapen. "Mr. Setapen recently said a true musician is someone who is “Kind, Empathetic, and Inquisitive”. This will be a piece of advice that I will always remember for the rest of my career, as it applies not solely to music, but to almost everything you partake in throughout your life." 

This summer, she will attend the Yellow Barn Young Artists Program and Domaine Forget de Charlevoix, and will return to perform in the Milwaukee Symphony's 2025–2026 Youth Concert Series.

Outside of cello, Katarina sings with the Madison Youth Choirs, volunteers at the River Food Pantry and local retirement homes, and is involved in Science Olympiad, Forensics, and the Social Activism and Awareness Club. She also enjoys time with her two dogs, Jascha and Odin.

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