Conductor, clinician, and cellist, Katie Liaw graduated from The University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She later attended The Hartt School at the University of Hartford to earn a Master of Music Education in String Pedagogy. Katie specializes in middle and high school orchestra teaching and has taught in several nearby orchestra programs. Katie maintains a small cello studio and enjoys watching her students grow in skill and confidence from year to year.

A graduate of the KSYO program, Katie became a rehearsal assistant in 2006 as an undergraduate at UTK. Over the last 19 years, she has served the organization in other capacities as rehearsal assistant, stage manager, assistant conductor, and building host for rehearsals and string camp. She is thrilled to begin her 5th season as conductor of the Youth Chamber Orchestra. In her spare time, Katie loves reading, drinking a good cup of coffee, hovering over her growing plant collection, and spending time with her family – husband, Kevin, and their two children.