Mrs. Kathryn Estes

Kathryn Estes is a cellist, pianist, and bassist and has taught private lessons, early childhood music classes, string ensembles, music theory, and music history since 1999. Mrs. Estes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy with a minor in Cello Performance from Sam Houston State University, magna cum laude. Mrs. Estes is involved in regular teacher training, and frequently attends workshops on teaching, cello, piano, and string bass.

Before moving to Bastrop, Texas, Mrs. Estes was the principal cellist of the Kingwood Pops Orchestra for 17 years. She participates in both solo and ensemble performances with various orchestras, including Symphony North of Houston and the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, as well as area churches. In high school she played with the distinguished Virtuosi of Houston and the Houston Youth Symphony. She has traveled to Eastern Europe and China performing with the Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the SHSU Chamber Players. In 2013 Mrs. Estes co-founded Extreme Cello which has offered beginning through advanced cello choir classes as well as cello master classes with members of the Houston Symphony cello section each year. She has also acted as artist director, soloist, and clinician for Extreme Cello. Since 1994 she has regularly played with Joyous Rhapsody and Horizon String Quartet at weddings, AARP dinners, church functions, at nursing homes, and for other special occasions. The group has performed for the NASA astronaut holiday banquet, Home School Stars Banquet, The Singing Men of Texas, and for Rosemarie Trapp (of the Von Trapp family). Mrs. Estes was honored to be the solo cellist on a CD called Consolation.

Beginning in early childhood, Mrs. Estes generated a passion for music and has dedicated her knowledge and abilities to her students. Her professional organizations include the Music Teachers National Association, North Texas Suzuki Association, and the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Kathryn and her husband, David, live in Bastrop, Texas along with their son, Duncan. They enjoy traveling, volunteering in the community, and spending time with family and friends.