Katja Kleyensteuber (b. 1994 in Lich, Germany) is a music educator, trombonist, conductor, composer, and advocate. She studied trombone with Max Culpepper and Nic Orovich, composition with Ryan Vigil and Mike Annicchiarico, and conducting with Andrew Boysen Jr. at the University of New Hampshire (Durham, NH) - where she earned her B.M. in Music Education, magna cum laude, and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society (2016). Katja graduated from Boston University (Boston, MA) with a Master of Music in Music Education and Graduate Certificate in Arts Management, summa cum laude. During her time at BU, she was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda (2021) and published "Myna Joins The Band!" (2020). Inspired by her inability to visit elementary students in order to demonstrate instruments at the start of the pandemic, Katja wrote and illustrated this children's book to help music educators introduce instruments to aspiring band members and future musicians!
Her passion for conducting and teaching music students of all ages has contributed to her research focused on the sociology of music education and performance. She enjoys assisting aspiring music educators in gaining confidence and finding their place as instruments of change in the music classroom. As a graduate assistant in the School of Music, Katja taught undergraduate and graduate music majors in the instrumental lab, choral lab, and intro to conducting courses at BU. Upon graduating, she was also awarded the School of Music Departmental Award in Music Education for her contribution to the SOM as a graduate assistant and student researcher. Katja believes in empowering students and musicians through affirmation, awareness, and action on stage, in the classroom, and beyond!