Katherine Velez (she/her) grew up in a musical home in northern California, where she began singing with her church choir at the age of three and later became involved in school orchestra and community theatre. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Azusa Pacific University, where she sang with the APU Chamber Singers, touring and competing in five European countries. In her senior year, she also served as the ensemble’s manager. Before relocating to New York, Katherine performed and recorded with Ensoma Creative and the Sterling Ensemble of Los Angeles, including a performance at the ACDA National Conference. Since moving to Manhattan, she has performed with The Dessoff Choirs and Amuse Singers, and she currently sings with the Choral Arts Society of New Jersey. She officially joined Accord Treble Choir in 2025 and is also the staff soprano at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition to her performance work, Katherine is a music researcher pursuing an M.A. in Musicology (expected May 2026). When she is not writing, working at the NYPL archives, or making music around the tri-state area, she can usually be found cozied up at home with her husband, two cats, and a good book.