Katy Dilley

Katy’s musical journey began at ten years old, when she started piano lessons.  As her love for music grew, 
she began her teaching career at twelve by giving lessons to two friends.  She soon after began composing, 
and during high school joined a youth composition program called Young Composers Project, which is offered 
by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.  Upon graduating high school, she pursued a Bachelor of Music in Piano 
Performance with Dr. Fanya Lin at the University of Arizona, graduating with honors in 2023.  
She is also set to graduate with her Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2025.

As a pianist, Katy has performed in numerous events and competitions.  For three consecutive years, 
she was named alternate in the Fred Fox School of Music Presidents Concert Concerto Competition.  
In 2021 and 2023 she won second and first place, respectively, in the school’s Michael Moore Memorial 
Piano Competition.  She also placed third and won the audience prize in the Trester Piano Competition in 2023.

Since the beginning of Katy’s teaching career at twelve, she has developed a passion for teaching students of all 
ages how to make and love music at the piano.  It continually excites her to see her students grasp concepts 
and techniques and become better musicians.  During college, her teaching experience expanded as she took first 
a tutoring position and then a graduate teaching assistantship in undergraduate music theory.  It is always her 
goal to make music understandable and achievable for her students with individualized instruction and a positive 
learning environment.

Composition also remains one of Katy’s greatest musical interests.  Since graduating from the Young Composers 
Project, her main focus has been releasing albums of original instrumental music.  Her goal is to create 
emotionally compelling and uplifting music that tells stories and takes the listeners on an inspiring journey.  
She also hopes to explore film scoring in the future.

When she is not working on music, Katy enjoys reading books, watching movies, and spending time with 
family, friends, and her husband Stephen.