BIOGRAPHY

DMA (ABD), Orchestral Conducting

MM, Orchestra Conducting

BA, Piano Performance

Katie Noelker is a conductor and educator from Norman, Oklahoma, and a doctoral candidate in orchestral conducting at the University of Oklahoma, where she studies with Dr. Jonathan Shames. During her doctoral studies, she has served as Music Director and Conductor of the OU Civic Orchestra, Assistant Conductor for the OU Opera Theatre, and instructor of conducting courses. She has also held the position of Associate Conductor with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. 

Noelker's opera credits include principal conductor for Puccini’s Suor Angelica and assistant conductor and chorus master for productions of Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites, and Galuppi’s Il filosofo di campagna at the Urbania Festival of International Opera. As assistant conductor with the OU Opera Theater, Noelker has conducted performances of Floyd’s Susannah, Ravel’s L’Heure Espagnole, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Rossini’s La Scala di Seta, Lehàr’s The Merry Widow, and Donizetti’s Rita. With OU Opera Outreach, Noelker conducted a series of public-school performances of the children’s opera Bremen Town Musicians and has led several opera scenes programs at OU, collaborating with OU Choirs and Civic Orchestra.

Prior to her doctoral work, Noelker held a Visiting Professorship at Eastern Kentucky University, where she conducted the university’s symphony orchestra and taught music theory. She has also led a range of educational and youth ensembles, including the Scissortail Honors Orchestra, Heritage Area String Program Youth Orchestra, Model Laboratory School Orchestras, and EKU Music Camp orchestras for middle and high school students.

Her recent festival experience includes serving as Conductor and Assistant Conductor at the 2024 FIO Mondo International Opera Festival in Urbania, Italy, and as Program Administrator for the Aspen Opera Theater and Vocal Arts Program at the 2023 Aspen Music Festival and School.

Noelker is currently completing her dissertation, a catalogue of over 150 works designed to support thoughtful and inclusive programming for youth, community, and small college orchestras.

C.V. Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rmH7pbhVEwxKrwFoLZqJuJK5_KhJmVFb/view?usp=sharing