Kathleen Feenstra
Composer, arranger, pianist, piano teacher
Website • YouTube • Canadian Music Centre • Soundcloud
Contact – https://sardispiano.com/contact
Bio
Kathleen Feenstra, ARCT, RMT, H.B.Sc
Kathleen Feenstra is a composer, arranger, piano teacher, and pianist based in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, where she has taught piano and theory since 2001. She is an Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Association of Canadian Women Composers, with a strong focus on creating pedagogical music that inspires developing musicians.
To date, she has written over 100 original works for piano, which are frequently performed by students in recitals and festivals. Her music has been published in five books by 80 Days Publishing, featuring repertoire for students of all levels, with additional volumes currently in development. She is continually composing new works for pianists at all levels. Her publications are available through Kings Music in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, as well as online. Her piano works have also been selected for the ABRSM Piano Syllabus (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), one of the world’s leading examination boards, which delivers over 650,000 music exams annually in 93 countries. In addition, she has created numerous arrangements of popular music tailored to her students’ interests and needs.
Kathleen is a three-time winner of the CFMTA Call for Compositions:
• Rocky Mountain Ride (1st place, Level 3/4 – 2016)
• Maple Syrup Moon (1st place, Level 5/6 – 2022)
• Snow Day (1st place, Level 3/4 – 2025)
Her works appear in the ACWC Piano Collective Score Catalogue and the ACNMP Contemporary Showcase Festival Syllabus. Performances of her music are widely featured in student recitals and events, and her album Threads of Starlight is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud.
Kathleen holds ARCT diplomas in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has received multiple awards for teaching excellence, including the B.C. RCM Gold Medal for Elementary Pedagogy (2016) and the BCRMTA Piano Pedagogy Award (2019) for the highest provincial aggregate mark. She holds specialist designations in Piano (Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced) and Theory (Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Harmony).
A lifelong musician, Kathleen began playing by ear as a child before beginning formal lessons. She studied with Brenda Cottrill and Dr. Betty Suderman, earning festival awards and a district music award in high school. While completing her Honours Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Environmental Science, she continued studying composition and developing her musical voice. She later completed her ARCT in Performance under Leslie Janos and ARCT in Pedagogy under Jean Ritter.
Kathleen is currently studying composition and orchestration, continually expanding her creative practice as a composer and educator. She is committed to lifelong learning and draws inspiration from her students, the natural world, and the joy of musical expression.
List of Works
All piano books are available at Kings Music and online through 80 Days Publishing & Harbridge & Wanless Music (North American Purchases) and Musicroom (European Purchases). All individual scores are available through Sheet Music Plus and Sheet Music Direct. For a full list of works with recordings, please visit the composer’s website: www.sardispiano.com/compositions
Orchestral
The Sea of Tranquility (2024) — junior piano concerto (3 min)
Premiered by the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra as part of the Piano Extravaganza concert at the Chilliwack Cultural Center.
Composed for a pianist playing at RCM level 2.
Takeoff (2025) — piano concerto (4 min)
1st Movement premiered by the Valley Symphony Orchestra as part of the Rising Piano Stars concert at the Chilliwack Cultural Center.
Composed for a pianist playing at RCM level 9.
Published Piano Books
A collection of imaginative piano solos and duets for Early Elementary Level Students. The descriptive titles will draw students in, and will open up a wonderful world of beautiful sound colours and musical expression. For Prep A - Level 1 piano.
A collection of playful and imaginative piano solos for Elementary Level Students. It is a collection of pieces that students of all ages will enjoy. For Levels 1 - 3 piano.
A collection of imaginative piano solos for Late Elementary and Intermediate Level Students. The Late Elementary pieces are playful in nature while the Intermediate Level pieces are expressive and hauntingly beautiful. For Levels 3 - 7 piano.
A collection of expressive, heartfelt atmospheric piano solos for Late Intermediate and Advanced Level Students. It is a collection that students of all ages will enjoy. The whimsical titles of the pieces will open up each student’s imagination and inspire personal expression. For Levels 8 - 9 piano.
A collection of expressive, lyrical piano solos for Late Intermediate & Early Advanced Level Students. The descriptive titles will draw students in, opening up a wonderful world of beautiful sound colours and musical expression. It is a collection that skilled students can connect with and enjoy. For Levels 8-9 piano.
Individual Works for Solo Piano & Piano Duet – see full list at www.sardispiano.com/compositions
Discography
Digital Release: “Threads of Starlight” (2022) — Kathleen Feenstra, pianist