About

           Katelyn Lyons Peaden is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where she earned a dual Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance.  Katelyn’s primary violin instructors have included Stephen Rose (Principal Second) and William Preucil (Former Concertmaster) of the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra, as well as Elisabeth Adkins (Former Associate Concertmaster) and Holly Hamilton (Former First Violinist) of the National Symphony Orchestra.  

          Katelyn has been the Concertmaster of the Paragon Philharmonia and the Principal Second Violinist of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.  She was a Non-Rotating First Violinist of the Canton Symphony Orchestra for two seasons, and has performed with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Chamber Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Firelands Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, among others.  

          Katelyn has amassed many years of solo and orchestral performance experience in concert halls across the United States and abroad.  These great halls include the John F. Kennedy's Concert Hall, Millennium Stage, and Terrace Theater in Washington D.C., the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, and Severance Hall in Cleveland.​

          Katelyn was the Co-Concertmaster and Assistant Concertmaster of the National Repertory Orchestra, in Breckenridge, Colorado.  She has also participated in the Aspen Music Festival, the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and the Philadelphia International Music Festival.  Katelyn has also performed at the Festival de Chaillol and the Stages de Chaillol in the French Alps. 

          Katelyn is a graduate of the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center’s National Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Fellowship Program, in Washington D.C.  In this program, she received professional orchestral and chamber music training from musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra. ​

          As an avid performer, Katelyn has appeared as a violin soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra four different times, under the baton of Carl Topilow, Alex Amsel, Marcelo Lehninger, and Tania Miller.  Additionally, she has soloed with the Chesapeake Orchestra.  

          As a violin duo, Katelyn performs regularly with her sister, Jessica Lyons Blocher (professional violinist). Together, they have soloed with numerous orchestras and have collaborated in many recitals across the United States.  Katelyn and Jessica have been honored to perform at the Netherlands Embassy for the Netherland’s U.S. Ambassador. They have also soloed with the Chesapeake Orchestra in the River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College of Maryland under the baton of Jeffrey Silberschlag. Together, Jessica and Katelyn have also volunteered at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, providing Music Therapy for patients in the neuroscience ICU and neuroscience intermediate care units with Dr. Deforia Lane.

          Katelyn studied Suzuki Violin Pedagogy with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and is fully certified in the Suzuki Violin Method from Pre-Twinkle (beginner) through Book 10 (advanced).  She enjoys sharing her vast performance experience with her students, while encouraging them to work hard and find enjoyment in learning the violin. Katelyn’s focus is to help students reach their full musical potential by achieving tonal accuracy, having a solid rhythmic foundation, and by producing a beautiful sound.

          In the Fall of 2018, Katelyn taught at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa as the Head Violin and Viola Professor's sabbatical replacement.  As an Adjunct Professor, she taught private lessons to violin and viola majors/minors, taught a string methods course, coached college chamber music groups, and collaborated with faculty and students when performing with the Drake University Choir.  Katelyn has been teaching violin for 12 years, and has experience teaching students of all ages. 

          Katelyn has performed in violin masterclasses for Joel Smirnoff, Kimberly Fisher, The Emerson String Quartet, The Pacifica String Quartet, Jorja Fleezanis, Geoffrey Michaels, Pamela Henges, Holly Hamilton, and Hugh Sung.  

          Katelyn began the violin at age 2½.  In her free time, Katelyn enjoys hiking, traveling, and great food!  She currently resides in Southern Maryland with her family and dog.