Some people love music. Some people are good at making music. But then there’s Katie Koenning. This senior is one of the most talented and dedicated violinists in Concert Orchestra, and helps lead them as well. Her passion for music has helped her get to where she is today, and has fueled her ambition to become a violin teacher.

Koenning began playing the violin when she was seven years old. Her grandmother’s neighbor was a violin teacher, and Koenning liked to sit on her grandma’s porch and listen to the lessons. She has loved the violin ever since then; her dedication and passion has been all self-driven. She loves playing her violin for and with her family.

“My sister plays cello, so we do duets whenever we can, and before auditions I have a mini concert for my family,” said Koenning. “They’re the ones who support my music the most, so I’m happiest when I get the chance to share it with them.”

Koenning has accomplished a lot with her musical talent. She has played in the All-State string competition twice, earned two superior ratings (the highest level) in the Solo Ensemble Contest, is the concertmaster of the Con Amici chamber orchestra, co-concertmaster of Concert Orchestra and is the treasurer of the orchestra board. There is no doubt that Koenning is a great violinist. Even more than that, she has a greater level of dedication to every aspect of the orchestra that contributes to its success.

“Katie Koenning represents the heart of the orchestra. She is so deeply committed to not only her own improvement, but to everyone else as well,” said Jerry Jones, orchestra director. “That’s the kind of attitude and commitment that makes the orchestra – any orchestra- great. The people like Katie, and her attitude and her heart, pull everybody else along. She is a role model to everyone.”

Koenning enjoys playing in an orchestra and being able to work and collaborate with other talented musicians. Everyone wants to do their best, but for each other as well as for themselves.

“My favorite part of orchestra is the sense of community,” said Koenning. “I feel like everyone is working together because they love what they do, and that kind of environment doesn’t happen too often in life.”

When Koenning first started playing the violin, she never imagined becoming a teacher. But it turned out to be the perfect opportunity for her to pass on what she has learned and share the feeling of community with others.

“Once in ninth grade, Mr. Musser asked me if I’d ever thought of teaching orchestra,” said Koenning. “The thought had never occurred to me, but once he said it, it made sense – I love kids and violin, so it’s the perfect job!”

Jones fully support this desire, and is proud of her talent and musical accomplishments.

“To be a successful orchestra teacher, you have to be better than average at everything. You have to really be excellent, and she certainly is,” said Jones. “But more than that, she really knows how to tear something down and put it back together, and she knows how to learn something so that she can teach it to somebody else.”

Her family was not surprised at all by Koenning’s desire to become an orchestra teacher.

“When Katie was younger, she used to play school with her younger sister, Anna (Anna was sometimes forced to play). I recently found an old note that a very young Anna had written during one ‘class’ with Katie. It says, ‘I Have the wrst teechor!!!’,” said Jennifer Koenning, Katie’s mother. “Katie loves orchestra and music so much that teaching them seems like a natural fit.”

Koenning has already started on the path to becoming a violin teacher; she teaches eight students ranging from elementary to high school level. Her students think she is a great teacher and leader, and this experience contributes to her overall plan to becoming a professional teacher.

“I’m going to go to Luther College and will major in Music Education,” said Koenning. “Eventually I’d like to teach high schoolers, but I think doing some elementary or junior high work would be incredibly fun as well.”

Koenning is on the way to achieving her goal and sharing her musical talents and knowledge with many generations of aspiring string players, and as her accomplishments show, she will continue to be astounding. Her grandmother’s neighbor would be proud.