Katherine Kohler

Katherine Kohler joined the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2018 as Assistant Principal and E-flat Clarinet. From 2016-2018 Katherine was the second clarinetist of the Phoenix Symphony, and previous to that she spent 3 years with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, and since 2011, the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. In addition her orchestral work, Katherine is also an active recording musician whose playing can be heard in films, theme parks, and video games.

During the summer of 2015, Katherine participated in the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, performing under Alan Gilbert as a clarinetist on Mozart’s Gran Partita and E-flat clarinetist on Messiaen’s Des Canyons Aux Étoiles, the latter of which was released in 2016 on the Koch Label. As a chamber musician, Katherine has also performed with the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, Downtown Chamber Series, Chamber Music Milwaukee, and with the Roma Trio, appearing on WFMT Radio Chicago’s Introductions.

Katherine made her solo debut at the age of sixteen, soloing at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. as the sole first prize winner of the US Air Force Band Young Artist Competition. She later appeared with the US Air Force Band as a guest soloist on their 2009 national spring tour.

Katherine is originally from Naperville, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. She started her orchestral training in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Encore Chamber Orchestra. At the age of seven, Katherine began her clarinet studies with David Boyd, followed by studies with Todd Levy from 2005-13. She graduated from the Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee.

Katherine is a Selmer Paris Artist, performing on Bb and A Signature and Eb Recital clarinets.