A vibrant musician and innovative educator,  cellist Karla Hamelin is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance. While a doctoral student, she was the teaching assistant to Professor Phyllis Young. Before pursuing her doctorate degree, Karla attended The University of Michigan and earned a Masters of Music degree in cello performance under the tutelage of Anthony Elliott. Her principal teachers have included Anthony Elliott, Ronald Leonard, Phyllis Young and the late Julie Banton.

An accomplished performer and avid chamber musician, Dr. Hamelin is a frequent recitalist that appears regularly as a collaborative artist. She has worked with numerous artists in other disciplines including composers, dancers, choreographers, visual artists, poets, actors and internationally renown bands (Local Natives) as well as studio musicians. Her ability to play a broad and diverse spectrum of repertoire has made her in demand as a performer of new works, a sought after orchestral and chamber musician, as well as a  featured artist in a baroque cantata series.

An advocate of new music, Dr. Hamelin has performed with contemporary music ensembles such as the American Repertory Ensemble, the University of Texas at Austin New Music Ensemble, Audio Inversions, SXSW Austin music festival,  and in several other music series. Having had the opportunity to have been a part of several new music performances, commissions and premieres, Dr. Hamelin has been able  to work closely with and alongside notable living composers such as Dan Welcher, Jennifer Higdon, John Adams, Donald Grantham, Joan Tower, Joseph Turrin, Donald Crockett, Diana McIntosh and Jake Heggie.

Equally dedicated to performing and teaching,  Dr. Hamelin is the newly appointed Professor of Cello at Texas State University. In demand as a private teacher for students from 5-18 years of age; Dr. Hamelin has quickly established herself as a highly respected pedagogue whose students have consistently placed in all-state and regional orchestras, been prize winners in state and national competitions as well as being accepted at major music schools across the US. Her commitment to teaching and music education is evident in the high level of dedication and playing demonstrated by her students.

Recently Dr. Hamelin has become a member of the College of Examiners and has been appointed as an adjudicator for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada.

In her spare time, Karla enjoys running the many hilly and scenic trails of Austin and Central Texas where she trains for full and half marathons.

Studies and Degrees:

Doctorate of Musical Arts, Cello Performance, The University of Texas At Austin,                                  Phyllis Young                                                       

Masters of Music,  Cello Performance, The University of Michigan,                                                             Anthony Elliott

Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, The University of Manitoba                                             the late Julie Banton

Festivals Attended:

The Banff Centre for the Arts, International String Seminar - Graz, Austria, The Aspen Music Festival, Aria Summer Music Academy, Texas Music Festival, Johannesson International School of the Arts,

Masterclasses:

Aldo Parisot, Janos Starker, Ronald Leonard, Tysoshi Tsutsumi, Guarneri String Quartet, Desmond Hoebig, Miro String Quartet, Zara Nelsova, Andres Diaz, Norman Fischer, Emilio Colon, Shauna Rolston.