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Catie Brenmark

3,595

Bold Points

3x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

Bio

My name is Catie, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, where I study with Peter Kolkay. I am involved in ensembles and organizations such as the VU Orchestra, VU Wind Symphony, the Vanderbilt New Music Society, and the Kleine Wind Quintet. My ultimate career goal is multifaceted: I want to play orchestral and chamber music and teach younger bassoonists. At Vanderbilt, I am pursuing a minor in psychology, which I believe will help me better understand and work with my students. Outside of Vanderbilt, I have explored my passion for ensemble playing through attending various summer music festivals. I am particularly interested in combining music technology with performance, which has led me to produce numerous projects featuring multitrack recording and electroacoustic live performance. In 2023, I received Blair’s Dave Darlington Award for Outstanding Creative Work in Music Technology. Earlier this summer, I attended the Mostly Modern Festival and served as a Faculty Mentor for Vanderbilt's MusicTech program. My role as a Faculty Mentor helped build my confidence and skills as a teacher to empower students to create their own music with technology. I am originally from Plainfield, Illinois, where I began learning bassoon in the sixth grade. When I'm not playing bassoon or working on a project, I love baking, going on walks, and watching movies. Whether it be performing, teaching, or even baking, my goal is to share meaningful experiences with the people around me.

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Music
  • Minors:
    • Psychology, General
  • GPA:
    4

Plainfield East High School

High School
2018 - 2022
  • GPA:
    4

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Music
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Music

    • Dream career goals:

      Orchestral Musician and Professor

    • Music Technology Lab Monitor

      Vanderbilt University
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Assistant Orchestral Librarian

      Vanderbilt University
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Faculty Mentor

      Vanderbilt University - MusicTech
      2024 – 2024
    • Cook

      Nancy's Pizzeria
      2020 – 20211 year

    Arts

    • The Kleine Wind Quintet

      Music
      2022 – Present
    • Vanderbilt University Orchestra and Wind Symphony

      Music
      2022 – Present
    • Akropolis Chamber Music Institute

      Music
      2024 – 2024
    • Mostly Modern Festival

      Music
      2024 – 2024
    • Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival

      Music
      2023 – 2023
    • Bay View Music Festival Wind Institute

      Music
      2023 – 2023
    • Kinhaven Young Artist Seminar

      Music
      2023 – 2023
    • Madeline Island Seminar for Advanced Wind Chamber Music

      Music
      2022 – 2022
    • Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra

      Music
      2019 – 2022
    • Plainfield East High School Music Department

      Theatre
      Beauty and the Beast , Les Mis Concert Recital, Cinderella
      2019 – 2022
    • Plainfield East High School Bands

      Music
      Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, Jazz Band
      2018 – 2022
    • Plainfield East High School Marching Band

      Music
      2018 – 2021
    • Illinois Music Educators Association

      Music
      District 9 Honor Band ('18, '19), District 9 Honor Orchestra, Principal Bassoonist ('20, '21), All State Honor Band ('20), All State Honor Orchestra ('21), All State Honor Orchestra, Principal Bassoonist ('22)
      2018 – 2022
    • Birch Creek Summer Music Academy

      Music
      Birch Creek Symphony
      2019 – 2022
    • Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra

      Music
      2018 – 2019
    • Honor Band of America 2020

      Music
      2020 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      ILMEA District 9 Junior Festival — Rehearsal Monitor
      2021 – 2021
    • Volunteering

      Plainfield Middle School Band and Choir Festival — Host
      2019 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      John F. Kennedy Middle School — Woodwind Camp Assistant
      2016 – 2018

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy