Meet the Teacher

Studio Owner/Instructor

Born and raised near Edson, Alberta, Katherine attended and graduated from Red Deer College with a Music Diploma in Piano Performance in 2016. Following graduation, Katherine moved to Calgary to teach on contract in a private studio setting for a year. With her contract coming to a close, Katherine returned to her hometown in 2017 where she opened her own music education studio, Timbre & Tone Music Studio.

The Studio was very warmly received by the community with, at times, an overwhelming demand for music education. After operating for three years, the Studio had grown to its limit as a solo-operated venture, but more education was needed to expand the business. After closing the Studio temporarily in 2020, Katherine returned to school to complete her degree at the University of Alberta where she pursued more education in music, pedagogy, and business/management. In 2023, Katherine graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Music, minoring in Arts and Cultural Management.

After several years of pursuing formal education, Katherine is thrilled to be returning to her hometown to reopen Timbre & Tone Music Studio and continue facilitating arts education within the community.

Katherine Ahlf

    • Bachelor of Art - Majoring in Music, Minoring in Arts and Cultural Management - University of Alberta

    • Music Diploma in Piano Performance, voice secondary - Red Deer College

    • ARCT Diploma in Piano Pedagogy (in progress) - Royal Conservatory of Music

    • Level 10 Piano - Royal Conservatory of Music

    • The University of Alberta Madrigal Singers (2020-2022)

    • Background Vocals - Various Artists (Ongoing)

    • Alberta Youth Honour Choir (2015 and 2016)

    • Red Deer College Chamber Choir (2014 - 2016)

    • MusiCounts Accelerate Scholarship and Mentorship (2022)

    • Indspire AlexisonFire Bursary (2022)

    • University of Alberta Leonard Ratzlzlaff Award in Music (2021, 2022)

    • University of Alberta Indigenous Careers Award (2021)

    • University of Alberta Faculty of Arts Leadership Award (2021)

Goals as a Teacher and for the Studio

  • My main priority as a music teacher is that my students will love music and develop curiosity and confidence in learning about it. Depending on the person, that may involve performances and exams but for others, it might translate as playing or composing for themselves. Both are welcome and very much supported. 

  • My students have always come from very contrasting backgrounds, experiences, ages, and races, but no matter their home lives, I strive for my Studio to be a safe space for education, conversations, and self-expression. 

  • My inspiration to open the Studio, along with my pursuit of further education, has always been rooted in the goal of advocating for arts education in rural communities. In my personal experience growing up in rural areas, there is a definite gap in arts education and extracurricular opportunities. Yet, as a teacher and business owner, these same rural communities offer incredible support and wonderful students. My Studio is my small contribution to filling this gap and giving opportunities to students that would otherwise have no access to this education.

  • A huge goal of mine is that the Studio can one day include other teachers and offer instruction in other instruments as well as other branches of arts education. If I’ve learned anything in my management classes, it’s that I can’t do it all on my own. Still, I can bring people together with skills that support our primary goal, and I am excited by the prospect of finding other people interested in working in rural communities. 

    As a teacher, business owner, and proud Metis woman, I know the Studio has a lot of beautiful possibilities.