Catherine S. Walby (she/her/hers)

Catherine Walby has taught piano at the Lawrence Community Music School since 2000.  In addition, she teaches class piano and secondary piano lessons at Lawrence University.  She ran the week-long Piano Odyssey camp each summer from 2003-2018 and served as theory teacher and keyboard department coordinator in the past.

Ms. Walby received a B.M. in piano performance with a pedagogy emphasis and a B.A. in biology from Lawrence University.  Her primary teacher was Kathleen Murray for both piano and pedagogy.  She received a M.M. in piano performance and pedagogy in 2000 from the University of Oklahoma, studying under Jane Magrath, Andrew Cooperstock and Howard Lubin.

As a member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), Ms. Walby has served as Appleton district auditions chair since 2001, state secretary 2001-2005, state Badger keyboard auditions chair 2005-2009 and state president from 2009-2015.  She currently serves as the state chair for Local Associations.  She is actively involved in the local Fox Valley MTA.   

Ms. Walby continues to play actively, collaborating with colleagues, college students and LCMS students on recitals and juries.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking with friends, reading, traveling, gardening and visiting family.

“I would describe myself as a traditional piano teacher.  This means that I start students in a method book that takes them to a late elementary/early intermediate level.  At that point, we begin (or continue) exploring standard piano repertoire such as Bach and Mozart.  We focus on the classics while also exploring other areas that interest the student and broaden their musical experiences.  I encourage students to participate in recitals and festivals, including a local concerto competition once they reach 6th grade.  All students study theory as well as music history.  I strive to develop students’ critical thinking skills through their music study.  While I have had students go on to study music in college, my primary goal is to help foster lifelong musicians who support and understand the arts for themselves and their broader community.”