Kay Speidel | Milwaukee
Piano, Drums / Percussion
Kay grew up surrounded by music as the daughter of two musicians and has been a lifelong student of the art. She has studied piano for 17 years and percussion for 15, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Percussion Performance from UW–Milwaukee. In addition to her broader musical studies, she has continued dedicated piano training with mentors in the Milwaukee area, shaping a professional life that allows her to share her deep love of the instrument.
Since moving to Milwaukee in 2019, Kay has built a wide-ranging performance career. She has performed with several orchestras, choirs, and jazz ensembles, played on the Milwaukee Bucks drumline, and is the current drummer for an Irish folk band. She also draws on her improvisational training to accompany the Dance Department at UW–Milwaukee. Her connection to the dance community began through her research work in non-western pedagogy, an area that continues to influence the way she approaches private instruction.
Her experiences in dance and non-western learning traditions have greatly expanded her teaching perspective. Kay’s passion for sharing knowledge and helping students find their own musical voice is at the heart of her work. Her goal as an educator is to help students of all ages and backgrounds stretch their comfort zones and discover what makes them love to play.
