LSU School of Music Welcomes Katey Jahnke as Assistant Professor of Horn

The LSU School of Music is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Katey Jahnke (yahn-kee) as Assistant Professor of Horn, joining the faculty for the 2026–2027 school year.

A dynamic horn player who strives for a balance of artistic excellence and meaningful advocacy, Dr. Jahnke brings to LSU a rare combination of performance depth, pedagogical warmth, and a genuine passion for community on campus and beyond. Previously based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, she is excited to make the move to Baton Rouge and join what she has called "an incredible faculty and thriving music community."

Dr. Jahnke began her collegiate teaching career in 2015 at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, and has since served on faculties at Marietta College, Central College, Grand View University, and most recently, the University of Arkansas. As a teacher, she is committed to building a safe, supportive environment in which students can grow—while still holding high standards for preparation and performance. Recent student accomplishments under her guidance include performances with the Arkansas Philharmonic and Fort Smith Symphony, Outstanding Student Awards from the University of Arkansas Band and Music programs, wins at the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition and the University of Arkansas Honors Recital, and participation in summer programs such as Cormont Horn Camp, the 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 including the University of Oregon, University of Kentucky, and the University of Texas. Her reach extends 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.

As a performer, Dr. Jahnke has graced stages worldwide as a soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician. She has served as principal horn with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas Philharmonic, and her orchestral credits include performances with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Philharmonic, and numerous others. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed at the International Women's Brass Conference and the International Horn Symposium, as well as at festivals dedicated to celebrating women in music, with recent highlights including international appearances with the Lyrique Quintette in Thailand and Panama.

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

Beyond the stage, Dr. Jahnke is an active leader and mentor in the profession. She currently serves as Treasurer for the International Alliance for Women in Music and mentors emerging artists through the International Women's Brass Conference. Her work has also been featured at regional conferences and festivals, and her scholarship in the International Horn Call highlights repertoire for horn and the history of brass ensembles, extending her commitment to supporting the next generation of musicians.

Dr. Jahnke earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, where she studied 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.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Jahnke to the LSU School of Music and look forward to the energy, excellence, and community spirit she will bring to the LSU community.