McKenna Girdeen

Contact Information

Biography

McKenna holds a Bachelor of Music in Applied Piano from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Utah State University. With over 15 years of piano experience, she is a passionate advocate for underrepresented composers and mental health awareness in the world of professional music.

Her journey as a performer began with her debut at just eight years old at the Ellsworth Senior Living Center. Since then, she’s been chasing a life rooted in music. Born and raised in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, McKenna grew up playing for her community—local churches, schools, and senior living homes. Known in her hometown as the “Piano Girl,” she embraced her small-town roots while steadily expanding her musical reach.

McKenna's musical path expanded into the Eau Claire area, where she pursued her undergraduate studies at UW–Eau Claire. There, she performed solo recitals at Haas Fine Arts and frequently appeared at the Pablo Center at the Confluence as both a soloist and collaborative pianist. She also contributed to a wide range of ensembles, including the contemporary ensemble, orchestra, and piano ensemble. During her time at UWEC, she studied under Dr. Nicholas Phillips and performed in masterclasses with acclaimed artists such as Artina McCain, Kate Boyd, and Chee Hyeon Choi.

Now at Utah State University, McKenna continues her studies under Dr. Sasha Kasman Laude, while also working with faculty members Dr. Cahill Smith, Dr. Kevin Olson, and Dr. Mayumi Matzen. She has had the honor of performing in a masterclass with internationally renowned pianist Nikolai Lugansky. These educational experiences have played a key role in shaping her artistic voice and technical craft.

A dedicated scholar as well as a performer, McKenna is especially passionate about highlighting the works of historically underrepresented composers. She has conducted and presented research on figures such as Florence Price and Mélanie Bonis at national conferences like the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) and the MTNA Collegiate Symposium. Her repertoire also features works by Leoš Janáček, Hélène de Montgeroult, Margaret Bonds, and Cécile Chaminade—composers whose music she performs to help bring their stories to the spotlight.

In addition to her advocacy for musical diversity, McKenna is deeply invested in promoting mental health in the performing arts. She has conducted research on mental well-being in professional musicians and developed a website dedicated to promoting healthy and efficient practice habits.

Beyond her academic and performance pursuits, McKenna stays active as a collaborative pianist, accompanist for vocalists and instrumentalists, private teacher, and gigging musician at churches and weddings. Off the bench, you’ll likely find her rock climbing, running, or indulging in her unofficial side hustle as a coffee shop critic.

Teaching Philosophy
Every individual, regardless of age, ability, background, or interests, should have the opportunity to engage with music and experience its profound benefits. I recognize that each student has distinct goals, and my objective is to provide personalized lessons tailored to their specific aspirations. Whether a student seeks to perform publicly or wishes to explore music for personal enjoyment, I firmly believe that music has a vital role in everyone’s life.

I strongly believe that music’s purpose is to foster connections between human beings. Music is a passageway for connection: between others, between oneself, and between oneself and the world. Piano lessons cultivate essential life skills such as discipline, perseverance, creativity, critical thinking, dedication, and resilience. Additionally, the physical demands of playing the piano require coordination and mental agility.

In our fast-paced, technology-driven society, characterized by instant gratification, the journey of learning an instrument like the piano teaches the value of patience, focus, and dedication. This experience of delayed gratification is invaluable, leading to long-term success, enhanced academic performance, and improved self-control.

Through weekly one-on-one lessons, students cultivate a unique mentor-student relationship that is often rare in other contexts. Drawing from my own experiences with influential piano instructors, I aspire to provide the same mentorship to my students. Self-expression in music is rooted in an individual’s unique experiences, thoughts, and emotions. It becomes truly meaningful when students feel comfortable sharing these elements during lessons.