School of Music
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Katilyn began performing as a pianist for choirs when she was 8 years old, playing for her church youth choir. At 12, she was the assistant accompanist for her touring youth choir, volunteered as the pianist for the local elementary school music programs, and also played for young voice students. Throughout high school she continued to sing and accompany, working with conductors such as Henry Leck, Z. Randall Stroope, and Moses Hogan.
Katilyn earned her Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance and her Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Northern Colorado.
While pursuing her degrees, she was actively involved as a collaborative pianist and conductor in addition to studying voice, organ, harpsichord and cello privately. During her undergraduate studies, she performed as a singer in many opera choruses and covered roles with the UNC opera tours. As a graduate student, Ms. Rittner was the assistant conductor of the UNC Men’s Glee Club and the University Singers ensemble. Katilyn previously served as the assistant director for the Longmont Chorale and director of bell choirs at First Congregational Church of Greeley.
Some of the international highlights of her young career include a tour of Germany and the Czech Republic with the Greeley Chorale, a tour of the British Isles with the Longmont Chorale, and two tours of Germany, France, and Spain with the UNC opera. Local highlights include the Colorado premiere of Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem, a benefit concert for the 15th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11, and concerts benefiting music scholarships for local students.
Outside of teaching at UNC and Aims Community College, Katilyn maintains an active performing career working with various soloists, ensembles, musical theatre, and opera organizations throughout Northern Colorado. She serves as the pianist for The Greeley Chorale, all of the major choral ensembles at UNC, and works with the choral ensembles at Greeley West High School.
In addition to her performing career, Katilyn is an active volunteer working with the Success Foundation for Greeley/Weld Schools, Greeley Chorale Pops and Pasta, and the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.