Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Hunter.
Hi Katelyn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Southern California, in the LA area, and always liked to sing. My mom thought singing was like sports, where you practice regularly and have a game almost weekly, so she went searching for performance opportunities. I was a Girl Scout growing up, and joined a local Girl Scout color guard group as the national anthem singer. We quickly learned that the national anthem is quite hard to sing, and I started taking voice lessons. As I entered high school, I continued to perform often at local events and started entering various competitions. For three years, I participated in a contest called Spotlight hosted by The Music Center. Most of the contemporary vocalists in this competition either sang musical theatre or jazz. Since I wasn’t a theatre kid, I started to study jazz. In my junior year of high school, I finally became a grand prize finalist and got the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall. It was such an impactful experience that I started to think, “If I could sing for the rest of my life, that would be pretty cool.” I expanded my college search, which started as only business programs, to include a few music schools. When I auditioned at UNT, everything just clicked. I took the leap of faith and moved across the country to study jazz voice. I got both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from UNT. During my master’s, I worked as a teaching fellow, directing vocal jazz ensembles, assisting with classes, and teaching private lessons. This really developed my love for teaching, and now I’m an Adjunct Instructor of Jazz Voice at UNT. During my studies, I was also introduced to songwriting, which became a huge passion. I’m currently finishing up my debut album of all original music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Certainly not a smooth road. I have two siblings, so there weren’t unlimited resources growing up, but my mom made the most of what we had available. I’m very grateful for the early mentors in my life who were so generous with their time and knowledge.
Moving across the country as an 18-year-old was certainly challenging. When I started at UNT, it was a whirlwind. My skill set might not have been the most “conventional” compared to some of my peers. My voice was decent at the time, but my academic foundation was practically non-existent. Music theory, sight reading, piano, aural skills, etc., were all things I had little to no experience with. Learning all the foundational things that seemed to be a “prerequisite” for the first time at a college level was tough. I felt like I was in an endless game of catch-up, working so hard with not enough to show for it. It definitely shook my confidence for a time. I struggled, like so many other people, with comparison. Running your own race can be hard, especially at that age.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer/songwriter/pianist/educator! Vocally, I think I’m known for my smooth tone and telling big stories with vast emotional landscapes. My goal is for listeners to walk away feeling emotionally touched. Musically, my degrees are in jazz, and that’s what I teach at UNT, but I’m also a big fan of other contemporary styles. Pop music has always been a big part of my musical identity, so I love to blend that with jazz influences. I like to do this in my arranging by reimagining pop tunes I love, whether it’s Britney Spears or the Jonas Brothers. It also comes across in my songwriting, which is pop-leaning but has some jazz influence harmonically and vocally.
In education, I teach all ages! Kids as young as 3-years-old, to college students, and adults. Teaching so many different ages has really influenced my teaching philosophy. Especially with young students, the more I teach, the clearer it becomes that music can be a vessel for developing so many other life skills. Confidence, patience, discipline, problem-solving, and more.
At the moment, working at UNT and creating my debut album are what I’m most proud of. Both are things I couldn’t have phatomed doing six years ago. I hope, both as a teacher and a writer, that I can help people realize their potential and encourage curiosity.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think being vocal about your curiosity is one of the best ways to network/find a mentor. A lot of people would think I’m in the business of music, which is true, but more than that, I feel like I’m in the business of people. I think most people inherently want to be helpful, but your needs have to be known in order for someone to help you.
There is also so much that you can learn just from observing and listening, so I would say spend time just existing in the spaces you want to progress in. Showing up without an expectation of “getting something out of it” is important.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/katelynhunter
- Other: katelynhuntermusic@gmail.com
Image Credits
Anna Cameron and Quinn Cameron
