BIOGRAPHY
Bachelor of Arts in Music and Popular Music
University of Queensland
Graduate Diploma in Education - Secondary
University of Queensland
ABN: 94592013992
Working With Children Blue Card: 898028/3
Queensland Music Teacher's Association Professional: 4199
Kate LJ is a busy multi-instrumentalist. She regularly plays flute with Queensland Wind and Brass, she sings and plays guitar, and occasionally fills in on tenor saxophone with the Kate Street Big Band and West Winds Concert Band. Until 2021, she had been a full-time member of the big band for 10 years.
Like thousands of other Year 3 school kids in Queensland, Kate played the recorder as part of the state music education program, but after trying the flute in Year 5, she has been enthralled with the musical world ever since. In 2006, she moved to Brisbane to study music; after one year at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Kate changed to UQ to complete a Bachelor of Arts specialising in Music and Pop Music. Then her Graduate Diploma in Education, focusing on Classroom and Instrumental Music, led to a four-year stint as a P-12 music teacher with Education Queensland.
Over the years, Kate has played in many groups, including the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra in her hometown, various university ensembles, Queensland Youth Orchestras, big bands, wind ensembles, and other small musical groups.
As a woodwind specialist, Kate primarily plays flute and tenor saxophone, but she is also adept on the clarinet, trumpet, drum kit, and auxiliary percussion when filling in with West Winds Concert Band. As someone who loves learning new instruments, Kate has collected some unusual instruments, including the kalimba, a kokle (Latvian zither), a handcrafted native American style flute, and some Irish tin whistles.
Kate spends most of her free time honing her skills on her instruments and is working towards becoming a full-time musician and entertainer.