Katelyn Stessmanearned her Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, studying under Dr. James Romain. During her time at Drake, she was a four-time Honors Recital winner (2011-2014), a Concerto Competition winner (2012), and earned top honors in the MTNA Chamber Wind Competitions, winning First Place at the Iowa State level (2013, 2014) and Second Place at the Regional level (2014). She also served as principal saxophonist in the Drake Wind Symphony and lead alto saxophonist in Drake Jazz One. Stessman is an alumna of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Following her undergraduate studies, Stessman earned her Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she studied with Dr. James Bunte and Dr. Nathan Nabb. At CCM, she was a National Saxophone Quartet Finalist at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference (2015), received Honorable Mention in the MTNA Chamber Wind State Competition of Ohio (2016), performed at the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium in Washington, D.C. (2017), and was a National Finalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Competition (2017). She also served as a rotating principal saxophonist in the CCM Wind Orchestra.
While in Ohio, Stessman was deeply involved in music education and community outreach. She taught private saxophone and piano lessons at Loveland Music Academy, worked as a preschool teacher at Youthland Academy of Colerain, led an after-school music club in Cincinnati Public Schools, and volunteered at a children’s mentorship program at a local homeless shelter.
In 2017, Stessman returned to Iowa to teach K-5 general music in Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS), first at Jackson Elementary and later at King Elementary. She furthered her expertise by earning Level 1 Orff and Level 1 Kodály certifications for elementary general music instruction.
During her time in DMPS, she partnered with hip-hop artist, activist, and philanthropist Billy “B.WELL” Weathers to co-found The B.WELL Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering Des Moines youth. As Program Director, Stessman collaborates with schools, students, educators, and local artists to provide access to arts and resources often unavailable in public schools. Since its founding in 2020, The B.WELL Foundation has invested over $500,000 into Des Moines schools and communities, creating sustainable after-school arts programming, funding opportunities, and mentorship initiatives that inspire young thinkers, creators, and leaders.
Currently, Stessman serves as a Teaching Artist of Saxophone at Drake University’s Department of Music and the Drake University Community School of Music (DUCSOM), an Adjunct Professor of Saxophone and Music Education at Grand View University, and the Program Director of The B.WELL Foundation. She is also a member of the Music Education Advisory Committee for the Des Moines Symphony Board of Directors, where she works to advance music education initiatives in the community. Through her work, she remains committed to fostering high-quality, sustainable opportunities for Des Moines youth.
