Kate Bowerman

Teaches at Irish Arts Center

New to the Irish Arts Center staff this year, Kate continues Bill Ochs’ mission of making the tin whistle accessible to all people interested in connecting with Irish musical culture. She began her tin whistle studies with Bill at the IAC soon after moving to New York City. A flutist since age 8, Kate eventually chose to attend college at the University of Michigan, where she received scholarships from both the School of Music and the Michigan Marching Band. Kate studied classical flute with Amy Porter and performed with the Symphony Band, Concert Band, and Philharmonic Orchestra. She was piccolo section leader for three years in the Michigan Marching Band and played various woodwinds in the pit orchestra for several productions by the Musical Theater Department. Kate graduated with degrees in music education and flute performance and moved to New York City to teach middle school instrumental music in Harlem. There she helped shape the fledgling music program, and she implemented a discount instrument rental program with a local music shop to allow more students the opportunity to have their own instrument. Kate is now attending New York University for her masters in music education and studying flute with Robert Dick, an internationally acclaimed flutist. She performs regularly on tin whistle and piccolo with the Irish traditional ensemble the Washington Square Harp and Shamrock Orchestra, and she has appeared on stage with Mick Moloney, Ivan Goff and Dan Milner.