Teaching Area(s)
Piano
Traditional Suzuki
Education
BA DePaul University
Courses Taught
Piano
About
Kathleen Lahiff has been expressing herself with music from childhood. According to her mother, she began to sing before she was two. While growing up in Ohio, she was a member of the Singing Angels children’s choir and began to study piano formally at the age of 11. She received her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University where she studied piano under Fran Smith.
Kathleen began teaching piano during her college years. She became interested in the Suzuki method and studied Suzuki piano pedagogy with several teachers in short term training, and in individual apprenticeship with Yasuko Joichi. She also studied music for early childhood under Dr. Edwin Gordon (Music Learning Theory), Maryellen Pinzino (Come Children Institute) and Lillian Yaross (Orff). Kathleen was employed by the Old Town School of Folk Music for 13 years. During this time, she taught piano and guitar to children and adults, directed the Children’s program for three years, performed at a variety of venues, and originated the Wiggleworms program. For several years she was part of the folk music trio When Friends Rejoice. Kathleen has been on the DePaul Community Music Division faculty since 1995. She currently teaches Suzuki piano and substitute teaches for the Suzuki Piano group classes.
Kathleen has long been a student of spiritual teachings from many spiritual and religious traditions. Her interest in yoga led her to become certified as a teacher of Hatha Yoga and ordained as a swami from the Temple of Kriya Yoga. She leads meditations, teaches yoga, officiates rituals, and offers spiritual guidance ad pastoral care to those in need. She has also directed and participated in several recording projects. Kathleen is currently working towards certification in Music-thanatology, a vocation in which she will attend to those who are dying with prescriptive music through the instruments of harp and voice. She is also working towards being certificated as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist.
Kathleen lives in Chicago with her husband, Stephen Hutchins, who is also a musician and music teacher.