Introduce yourself in two sentences or less.
I’m Katherine, and my title is Manager of Admissions and Recruitment. I have primary responsibility for undergraduate admissions, recruitment, and the wellness initiative.
What does an Admissions and Recruitment manager do?
I help incoming students with application and audition procedures. In addition, I coordinate our Wellness and Career Development programming in the form of workshops throughout the school year. I am a liaison between faculty/staff and MUSA, and between the SoM and student resources in the Faculty of Arts.
What are some of the most common questions/issues you help students with?
I primarily advise applicants, but current students often come to me for conversations on a variety of fronts – professional development, gig etiquette, employment materials, etc.
When should students reach out to an advisor, and what’s the best way to reach you?
The primary student advisor is Amy Farahbakhsh (music.advisor@ubc.ca). The best way is to reach me is by email at katherine.evans@ubc.ca. I can also be reached at music.admissions@ubc.ca or (604) 827-1595.
For new students who want to get a head start on orientation, where can they find more information about the School of Music and UBC?
I would recommend all incoming students who are able, to enrol in the virtual JumpStart program to get a lot of great information about the university. To read up on UBC Music, check out our webpages for incoming students. You will receive emails from Amy Farahbakhsh about registration, but you can check about your overall coursework here.
What do you enjoy most about your job? When is the craziest time for you during the academic year?
I really enjoy meeting students and talking with them about music, or coursework, and I feel great whenever I see a student really progressing and enjoying their program. My busy season is between January and May, when graduate and undergraduate admission seasons are in full swing.
When you’re not working at the School of Music, what are you most likely to be doing?
I am most likely to be playing the trumpet, or singing in a choral ensemble. I play with faculty members Dr. Valerie Whitney & Prof. Jeremy Berkman in OneTwoTrio, am principal trumpet of the Newport Symphony (OR) and sing with musica intima. This year, as always, my plan is to practice more.
Finally, what advice would you give students entering the BMus program this year? And for students thinking about the BMus program, what are your top three best reasons for studying music at UBC?
For students entering the BMus program:
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Please reach out if you need something
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Take a broad perspective – give yourself some time, approach your coursework with an open mind, and remember that faculty and staff are all human too!
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Your “professional networking” starts now – it’s just making friends with your colleagues.
For potential students: come to UBC Music for its great faculty, great music community, & great resources!
Bonus question! Who is your favourite composer or what is your favourite piece of music?
Totally impossible to answer, but – one that was a wake-up call for me, early in my undergraduate life? Heinrich Schütz’ “Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich” (SWV 415). That, and the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra.
