Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Sandoval Taylor.
Katherine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Absolutely! Music has really been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I started my training at Furman University, where I received my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, and then continued on to earn my Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. Those years were incredibly formative—not just in terms of vocal training, but also in helping me discover the kind of artist and storyteller I wanted to be.
From there, I began working professionally as a singer and actress, performing across the country in jazz, opera, and musical theatre productions. I’ve been fortunate to appear in professional productions such as West Side Story, The Light in the Piazza, Amadeus, Jekyll & Hyde, My Fair Lady, and A Little Night Music, as well as national jazz tours and operas—each of which allowed me to explore different styles of music and storytelling that I love. Every experience taught me something new about my voice, the craft of performance, and the power of connecting with an audience.
Over time, I realized I was equally passionate about creating opportunities for others to experience that same magic on stage. That led me to launch KST Performance Academy here in Murfreesboro, TN, where I currently work as an advanced voice teacher and mentor. One of our favorite parts of the Academy is being able to offer lessons, classes, and performing opportunities to students of all ages—from 5 years old through adults (yes really, adults too!). Our Academy focuses not just on lessons and classes in voice, piano, and theatre, but on building truly unique, one-of-a-kind performance opportunities that give Middle Tennessee musicians and performing artists of all ages and experience levels the chance to grow in confidence, artistry, and creativity.
In 2019, I co-founded On Stage Collective with my business partner and best friend, Heather McKenzie Patterson of St. Louis, MO. As director and co-producer, I’ve had the privilege of creating shows in some of New York City’s most iconic performance spaces, including 54 Below and The Green Room 42. It has truly been a “living the dream” experience for me—bringing both emerging and seasoned performers into renowned venues in the heart of New York’s Broadway theatre district, where the energy and atmosphere are larger than life. I am deeply grateful for the chance to make dreams come true for our cast members through this adventure. What we offer is the kind of rare opportunity most performing artists only dream about, and it is an incredible honor to help turn those dreams into reality.
So, in many ways, my journey has been about weaving together all the things I love: performing, teaching, and storytelling through song. Each part feeds into the other, and at the heart of it all is a belief that music and performance have the power to transform lives—whether you’re on stage, behind the curtain, or in the audience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all—but that’s part of the journey! In the music industry, challenges often come with the territory, but one of my favorite things about artists is that they are inherently resilient. What makes all the difference, though, are the incredible teams and leaders I get to work with across my businesses. Their dedication, creativity, and support turn challenges into opportunities, and because of them, I never feel like I’m facing those obstacles alone.
In the early days of growing KST Performance Academy in Murfreesboro, TN, one of our biggest hurdles was building a strong faculty and staff base to keep up with the number of students we were welcoming. Today, we’re incredibly proud of the talented, dedicated team we’ve assembled—faculty and staff who help ensure every student receives excellent instruction and access to one-of-a-kind performance experiences. We’re thrilled to teach over 100 students—ages 5 through adult—in voice, piano, and theatre, and being rooted in this community while welcoming new students and families into our Academy family is deeply rewarding. Every new student adds energy and inspiration, and we’re excited to keep building on what we’ve created.
On Stage Collective has had its share of challenges too. Our first planned show in 2020 was postponed and eventually canceled because of the pandemic. But we chose to use that time creatively—to refine our ideas, expand the program nationwide, and dream bigger. By the summer of 2022, we were thrilled to produce not just one, but two shows with two different casts at the iconic 54 Below in New York City. Looking back, those hurdles helped us grow in ways we hadn’t imagined and strengthened our commitment to creating remarkable experiences for performers and audiences alike.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At KST Performance Academy, we believe that music changes lives. Our mission is to provide more than “just lessons”—we specialize in creating life-changing musical experiences for students of all ages. While we offer high-quality instruction in voice, piano, and theatre, what truly sets us apart are the one-of-a-kind performance opportunities that are exclusive to our Academy.
🎤 The School of Voice:
Our voice program is designed for students aged 6 and up, focusing on building confidence and vocal technique. Students choose the music they love—be it Disney, pop, musical theatre, worship, or country—and learn to sing with proper technique, including posture, breathing, sound production, expression, and performance practice. This approach ensures a solid foundation in singing with excellent technique, preparing students for exciting studio performances throughout the year.
🎹 The School of Piano:
Our piano program offers a one-of-a-kind, accelerated approach to learning to play piano. Students, starting as young as 5, engage in hour-long lessons—twice as long as traditional lessons—allowing them to move through beginner books faster and learn all their music during the weekly lesson. This method eliminates the frustration of at-home practice, making learning enjoyable and efficient. Students have the freedom to choose the style of music they want to play, including pop, classical, Broadway, jazz, and more, ensuring they play what they love.
🌟 Performance Opportunities:
All students, regardless of their instrument, have access to dozens of exclusive studio performance opportunities throughout the year. These include theatrical showcases, music festivals, professionally produced music videos, recitals, recording studio sessions, and community outreach shows. These events are designed to build confidence, artistry, and stage presence, providing students with experiences unlike anything else offered in Murfreesboro!
🌱 What Sets Us Apart:
What sets us apart is our commitment to providing a comprehensive, performance-focused music education. Our students don’t just learn music—they live it. They experience the joy of performing in front of an audience, the thrill of seeing their hard work come to life, and the satisfaction of personal growth through music. Our dedicated faculty, personalized instruction, and unique performance opportunities create a vibrant community where students can thrive.
At KST Performance Academy, we are proud to offer a nurturing environment where students of all ages and skill levels can explore their musical passions, develop their talents, and build lasting memories through the power of music.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, we see music education and performance continuing to evolve, with even more emphasis on immersive, real-world experiences for students. As a professional performer and director/producer, I’ve lived firsthand the magic that comes from bringing performers to life on stage in professional-quality productions, and that perspective inspires the work we do here in Murfreesboro.
We’ve always dreamed of launching a proper, dedicated KST Performance Academy performance venue where students of all ages can shine live on stage. While we can’t share all the details just yet, let’s just say there may be some ideas in the works—ways to give our community something truly special. We’re always open to creative partnerships and collaborations to help bring those possibilities to life. The future of music and theatre education is about creating transformative experiences, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of making that a reality for our students and our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kstperformanceacademy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kstperformanceacademy/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KSTPerformanceAcademy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kstperformanceacademy
- Other: www.onstagecollective.com/nyc2026
