Kathryn Woodard is an esteemed pianist, educator, composer, and researcher with over 30 years of experience in music performance, education, and cross-cultural initiatives. Her distinguished career has been defined by a commitment to expanding the understanding and accessibility of global music traditions, fostering diversity in music education, and pioneering innovative to encourage creativity in music studies. With a deep passion for bridging musical traditions from around the world, Kathryn has not only performed internationally but has also contributed to academic discourse and curriculum development in ways that challenge conventional approaches to music pedagogy.
Kathryn’s academic credentials are a testament to her dedication to both performance and scholarly research. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance with a cognate in Ethnomusicology from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She also earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the same institution and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Pedagogy (DiplommusiklehrerIn) from the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Munich, Germany. This strong educational foundation has enabled her to build a career that seamlessly blends performance excellence with a research-based approach to music education.
As the Founding Director of Sonic Crossroads, an international initiative promoting new music, cross-cultural exchange, and music education, Kathryn has championed artistic collaboration and the expansion of musical repertoires beyond the Western classical canon. Through Sonic Crossroads, she has launched various projects, including digital sheet music publications to promote Turkish composers, international artist residencies, and innovative online assessment programs for piano performance. Her efforts have led to the creation of numerous recordings featuring piano music from Asia, as well as online courses designed to enhance rhythm, listening skills, and general music theory comprehension. Most recently, she introduced Creativity at the Piano!, a groundbreaking course in Vienna, Austria, aimed at fostering new approaches to piano learning and composition.
Beyond her administrative and entrepreneurial roles, Kathryn is an experienced educator with a robust teaching portfolio. She has taught piano, music theory, and composition in Philadelphia since 2012 and has held faculty positions at Texas A&M University (Assistant and Associate Professor, 2004–2010) and Hunter College (Adjunct Assistant Professor, 2000–2004), and a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She received recognition for her teaching methods through Excellence in Teaching Awards at both Texas A&M and the University of Cincinnati, further demonstrating her expertise in music pedagogy.
Her academic contributions extend to research and public speaking engagements at conferences worldwide. Kathryn has delivered insightful presentations on topics such as Turkish piano music, pedagogical approaches to rhythm, and inclusivity in the piano studio. Notable among these are her lecture-recital at the Folk-Music Practices and Polyphonic Nationalisms IASPM Regional Conference in Austria and her workshop on movement retraining at the Body Mind Music Symposium in Vienna. Her research has been widely published, with works appearing in esteemed journals like the British Journal of Music Education and Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She has also edited an Anthology of Turkish Piano Music, further demonstrating her commitment to expanding the global reach of diverse musical traditions.
Kathryn’s international experience is extensive, having studied in Germany, conducted research in Turkey, and regularly taught programs in Vienna. She is fluent in both English and German, which has allowed her to engage with musicians, educators, and scholars across multiple cultural landscapes. Her performance career has taken her to stages around the world, where she has presented solo and chamber music concerts featuring works by composers from Turkey, Japan, China, and the Balkans, among others. Her recordings, including Ahmed Adnan Saygun: Piano Music (Albany Records) and Journeys (Sonic Crossroads), highlight her dedication to exploring and promoting underrepresented composers.
In addition to her professional and academic endeavors, Kathryn is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent learning strategies and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in music education. She actively works to develop inclusive curricula that accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring that music education is accessible to all students, regardless of background or cognitive differences.
Kathryn’s leadership extends to board and committee roles, having previously served on the Board of the International Alliance for Women in Music and as an Advisory Board Member for the International Society for Contemporary Music. She has also been an influential voice in music education policy discussions through her participation in working groups such as the Music Education Working Group for EDIMS Network (UK).
Kathryn Woodard’s career is a testament to the power of music as a tool for education, cultural exchange, and personal expression. As she continues to explore new avenues for artistic and pedagogical growth, she remains committed to fostering an inclusive and globally-minded approach to music education. Seeking to expand her impact beyond the classroom and concert stage, she is actively exploring board service opportunities where her expertise in music education, cross-cultural collaboration, and innovative learning strategies can contribute to organizations looking to enhance their engagement with diverse communities.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Kathryn is an avid knitter and fiber artist, an enthusiastic traveler, and a dedicated reader with a particular interest in central and eastern European literature. Her well-rounded interests reflect her deep appreciation for both artistic creativity and intellectual inquiry, qualities that continue to shape her influential career in music education and performance.
Character: Kathryn Woodard is a dedicated and visionary leader who champions diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration in music education and performance.
Knowledge: With over 30 years of experience in music performance, ethnomusicology, and pedagogy, she possesses deep expertise in global musical traditions and innovative learning strategies.
Strategic: She has successfully founded and led Sonic Crossroads, developed international music programs, and implemented groundbreaking initiatives to expand the reach of diverse musical repertoires.
Communication: Kathryn is an engaging speaker, researcher, and educator who effectively conveys complex musical and pedagogical concepts through her publications, presentations, and teaching.
