Kory Katseanes
From College of Fine Arts and Communications
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Service at BYU
Kory Katseanes was named Director of the School of Music on April 24, 2009 by Dean Stephen M. Jones. Katseanes replaced Dale Monson who left BYU after a decade of service.
Prior to his appointment, Katseanes served as the Director of Orchestras and Associate Director of the School of Music as Performance coordinator. As Director of Orchestras at BYU he oversaw the orchestral program that accommodates nearly 450 students enrolled in the five University orchestras, and directed the graduate orchestral conducting program. He also conducted the BYU Philharmonic and the BYU Chamber Orchestra in their campus concerts, throughout Utah, and on their regular tours throughout the world.
Career
Katseanes is a native of Blackfoot, Idaho, and moved to Salt Lake City in 1974 to continue his education. He joined the Utah Symphony in 1975 as a violinist, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Symphony from 1987 to 2002. As Assistant Conductor of the Utah Symphony he appeared regularly during the season on the Entertainment, Youth, and Family Series, and was often featured at Deer Valley, Snowbird, and Abravanel Hall on the Summer Pops concert series. Other performances include special concerts locally and on tour throughout Utah, and surrounding Western States. Additionally, he played a significant role in the education programs of the Utah Symphony, programming and conducting major portions of the concerts the orchestra performed in Utah's schools over the years.
While conducting the Utah Symphony he collaborated with such guest artists as The King's Singers, the Chieftains, Kathy Mattea, Nanci Griffiths, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Marvin Hamlisch, Ray Charles, Maureen McGovern, Rosemary Clooney, Chet Atkins, Michael Martin Murphy, Crystal Gayle, Riders in the Sky, The Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Carol Channing, Toni Tenille, Sandy Patty, Lou Rawls, The Dukes of Dixieland, Pete Fountain, Roger Miller, The Kingston Trio, Sandy Duncan, The Children's Group, Flash Cadillac, Magic Circle Mime, and The Stars of Broadway, among others. He has conducted performances with renown dance companies, such as Rudolph Nureyev and Friends, Repertory Dance Theater and the Twin Cities Ballet.
Katseanes founded and served as Music Director of The Utah Virtuosi, a professional chamber orchestra in Salt Lake City. Many acclaimed performances around Utah included such guest artists as Joann Ottley, Reid Nibley, Andres Cardenes, and the Jenson-Woodbury Duo. As a guest conductor, he has performed choral and orchestral concerts with community and student orchestras in Utah, Illinois, and Florida.
Education
Katseanes received Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Utah, and an Associate Degree from Ricks College. Conducting studies were with renowned conductor Josef Rosenstock. As a violinist his teachers included Lamar Barrus, Oscar Chausow, Kathryn Katseanes, Zvi Zeitlin, and Elaine Richey. He has also been on the faculties of Illinois Wesleyan University, and Ricks College, and the Violin Making School of America.
Family Life
He and his wife Carolyn (Landes), and their four children, reside in the Avenues of Salt Lake City. Busy with family life and church service, he is also an avid golfer.
