Katie Stoll

Originally from Alaska, Katie had a prolific performance career as a high school student. She has several first chair awards from Alaska All State Music festival, both in orchestral and band groups for both flute and piccolo. She also has several awards from her years competing in the Alaska State Solo and Ensemble music festival. She has two first place command performances for her solo works, 3 for her ensemble groups, as well as several second and third place nominations from her years at the festival. In addition to her achievements in Alaska, she was selected as first flute for All Northwest Band in 2017 and selected to study with Alexa Still for a summer camp at Oberlin Conservatory. She studied with the talented and kind Tomoka Raften until she moved, and then took over several of her flute students. 

Her college career has involved a pursuit of a Music Performance degree at Biola University. She has performed for several years as both the Symphonic Winds and the Orchestra's principle flutist and piccolist. Additionally, she has served as a section leader and the president of the Symphonic Winds. She has received several awards recognizing her excellence in skill and in character: Outstanding Member in the Winds Brass and Percussion,  Merit scholarship recipient, and the Missy Belton scholarship recipient. One of the most notable recognitions of her performance skill was in Biola's annual PRISM performance as a selected solist. She studies under Gary Woodward and is set to graduate in May of 2024. 

I am flexible and prone to adapt my teaching style to whatever works best for the student and what motivates them the best. This involves learning technique and warm up practices that are foundational to building strong techniques on flute, playing duets together to improve sight reading and tuning skills, and choosing pieces that the students enjoys in order to encourage a joyful participation in music as opposed to overbearing strictness. I love providing opportunities for the student to practice performing or playing in so their friends and families can encourage and support their growth. A lot of my formal working background involves years of nannying experience for foster and special needs kids, so I am experienced at working with children and create a friendly environment for them to learn a new instrument. For students that are more experienced and looking to grow to a more professional level, I have a well-rounded understanding of the repretoire and technique that will build them a strong foundation.