Katherine Vaz is a native of Boiling Springs, SC. She is a graduate of Boiling Springs High School and the University of South Carolina with a bachelors degree in Music Education and a performance certificate for bassoon. She studied under Dr. Michael Harley, Dr. Mandi Schlegel, Dr. Cormac Cannon, Dr. Jay Jacobs, and Lauren Meccia while at USC.
Mrs. Vaz has worked with various schools and ensembles across the southeast, including Pelion HS, White Knoll HS, Science Hill HS, and most recently served as the Director of Bands for Bamberg-Ehrhardt MS/HS. While under her direction, the Bamberg-Ehrhardt bands returned to the stage after 4 years without a performance!
She is also an active performing musician in the Columbia area. She is a bassoonist in the Palmetto Concert Band, performs as the female vocalist for the Carolina Jazz Xperience Big Band, and plays live jazz gigs downtown with her husband, Derrick.
Mrs. Vaz’s professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education, the South Carolina Music Educators Association, and the South Carolina Band Directors Association. She is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. Mrs. Vaz resides in Red Bank with her husband Derrick and their two cats, Bear and Juniper.