Katie Talsma

Prof. Katie Talsma joined the Montreat College faculty in 2019 as assistant professor of music. Prior to coming to Montreat, she spent many years as director of choral activities at Central Valley Christian School is Visalia, Calif. In addition to teaching, Prof. Talsma enjoyed giving private piano and voice lessons, playing organ for various churches, and singing with Soli Deo Gloria, the premier women’s ensemble in California’s Central Valley. Throughout her career, Prof. Talsma’s choirs received numerous “superior” ratings at various festivals. She also had multiple students selected for county, regional, and state honor choirs. In addition to directing choir, Prof. Talsma also directed and produced many musicals, including Aida, Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, Footloose, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and others.

Prof. Talsma earned her master’s in music (choral conducting) from California State University, Fresno. She earned bachelor’s degrees in music (piano performance) and psychology from Dordt University.

Prof. Talsma is passionate about enabling students to utilize music as a means of worship to God.  “Although teaching the fundamentals of music history, literature, and theory is an important aspect of any musician’s growth,” she says, “if the students don’t leave my classroom having also increased in knowledge of other academic areas, and having gained an increased ability to use their musical talent in the service of God’s kingdom, I have done them a disservice.”

Having grown up in rural Minnesota, Prof. Talsma enjoys the wide open Midwest prairie, rooting for Minnesota sports teams (Twins, Vikings and the U of M Golden Gophers), and visiting the farm whenever possible. Other interests include road trip traveling, flower gardening, and reading.