Katja Kleyensteuber is a music educator, researcher and trombonist from New Hampshire, USA, and a lecturer in music education at Mozarteum University (Innsbruck Campus). Her teaching and research explore curriculum development, social justice, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in music education, with a particular focus on preparing future music teachers.
Katja Kleyensteuber completed a Master of Music in Music Education and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management at Boston University, graduating summa cum laude. She received the School of Music Departmental Award in Music Education and was subsequently awarded a Fulbright grant for her research project Curricular Call and Response: The Future of Music Education in Vienna, which examined how university-level music education curricula in Austria have responded to changing educational and societal expectations. Her research focuses on how music education can respond to contemporary social and cultural challenges, with particular emphasis on curriculum development and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire, magna cum laude, as well as NH and MA state licensure in K-12 Music Education. She worked as a public school music educator in the United States for six years at elementary and secondary level before spending two years as a graduate teaching assistant at Boston University.
Inspired to find a creative way of introducing elementary school pupils to band during the pandemic, Katja Kleyensteuber wrote and illustrated the children's book Myna Joins the Band to help young musicians learn about and choose their first band instrument. She has maintained a private low brass studio and was the low brass adjudicator for the New Hampshire All State Music Festival. Katja is a Stanley A. Hamel Traveling Fellowship recipient and was named Teacher of the Year in her second year as music director at Stevens High School in NH. She is a member of multiple academic and musical honour societies including Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Katja Kleyensteuber is passionate about empowering students and musicians through affirmation, awareness and action. She is committed to supporting aspiring music educators in developing the confidence, empathy and artistic curiosity needed to become positive agents of change in the classroom.
In her “off” time Katja enjoys drinking tea, crafting, snowboarding, and spending time outside with her family. She also believes in the importance of community music and aims to actively perform with various community ensembles wherever she calls home.