Katherine Prihoda

A percussionist and native of Wisconsin, Katherine Prihoda graduated from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in 2009 and has taught in Wisconsin ever since. She previously taught in the Lena and Medford School Districts, and is currently teaching instrumental music at Tomah Middle School in the Tomah Area School District. At TMS she teaches the 6th grade band, the 7th grade band, and the TMS Marching Band. She previously directed the TMS Advanced Jazz Band, and created the school’s first ever Beginning Jazz Band.

Katie is passionate about advocacy and mentoring, participating in multiple Wisconsin Music Educators Association Drive-In Days, serving on the WMEA Advocacy Committee, and hosting clinical students and student teachers. She has given presentations at the WMEA Conference and has presented to the Early Career Music Teacher Collaboration Project, the UW-Eau Claire NAfME Collegiate Chapter, and the UW-La Crosse Instrumental Methods Capstone. In addition to teaching at Tomah Middle School, she is an active WSMA Solo and Ensemble Judge, and she is a proud member of NAfME, WMEA, the National Band Association, the Wisconsin Concert Band Association, and the American School Band Directors Association. She is currently serving as the WCBA President and the ASBDA Wisconsin State Chair.

In her spare time, you can find Katie playing with the La Crosse Concert Band, the Westby City Band, and helping to plan local performances with the Tomah Concert Association. She also loves to read, play video games, ride her motorcycle, and do arts and crafts.