Native East Tennessean Katie Liaw graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville 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 at Bearden High School, Farragut Middle and High School, Robertsville Middle School, and West Valley Middle School. Katie maintains a small private cello studio, preferring to teach a few dedicated students in her spare time. A cellist alumna of the KSYO program, Katie became a rehearsal assistant with the KSYO as an undergraduate at UTK. Over the last 17 years, she has served the organization in other capacities as assistant conductor, stage manager, and building host for Monday rehearsals and string camp. She is thrilled to begin her 3rd season as conductor of the Youth Chamber Orchestra.