Dr. Catherine Keen Hock completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) in clarinet performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2012 where she was a graduate teaching assistant for the clarinet studio and jazz studies program. She completed a cognate in jazz studies and a Post-Baccaleureate Certificate in Historical Musicology during her doctoral studies. Cat's dissertation, "The Pivotal Role of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time in the Establishment of the Clarinet-Piano Quartet Genre" reflects her passion for contemporary chamber music and examines the historical and socio-economic factors that have contributed to its current prominence within the classical music culture. While at UNCG, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, University Symphony Orchestra, Casella Sinfonietta and Jazz Ensemble II. Cat also earned a MM in Clarinet Performance from UNCG in 2007 and a BA with Honors in Music Performance with a minor in International Studies from Wake Forest University in 2005. At Wake Forest, Cat was a William L. Poteat Scholar, winner of the Concerto Competition and Giles-Harris Competition for Performance, and a drum major for the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black Marching Band. Also while at Wake Forest, Cat spent a magical semester in Venice, Italy, where she studied at the Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello and traveled Europe, experiencing performances by the world's leading orchestras and opera companies.  Cat recently made her international recital debut, performing in Hangzhou, China in September of 2018.  She studied clarinet with Kelly Burke, Edwin Riley, Anthony Taylor, Michael Waddell and Eileen Young.

​

​