Gabriel Katzenmeier

Gabriel Katzenmeier first found his love for music on cello. Growing up on a rural street in the country he would constantly be out enjoying nature. One day he walked inside and told his mother I want to play cello like Yo-Yo Ma. He started cello when he was in second grade at the age of 9. After playing the cello for 5 years he was asked to switch too bass by his middle school educator Cody Toll. Turns out he was much better at String Bass. Playing string bass allowed him to play the national anthem at a Pelicans NBA game. Performing with St.Olaf Choir in Carnegie Hall and soon to be on tour in Orchestra. Never did he think this would be all thanks to bass. A big factor that has impacted his playing and life is being adopted. Being born in Guatemala and be adopted when he was only 1 has always been a part of him. Every day is a gift and playing the bass is the greatest gift in his life other than his family. If he never was adopted he would still be in Guatemala living day to day in a rural community, Not knowing much or any of the outside world. Music also saved Gabriel. Due to being adopted and being a person of color in a white family. He never felt he belonged anywhere. That he had no purpose and this made him feel defeated. Music was what made him not feel this way. In orchestra and ensembles he felt he could truly be himself. The real authentic self and music also was his purpose, It gave him purpose, hope and joy. His goal is to have others feel that way when they hear his music. He hopes that his music will deeply affect them and help them grow, heal and think differently about music after he performs. He wants to have others feel how music made him feel and if they also helps people heal then he is joyed about it. Music greatly impacted his life for the better and he wants to heal the world through his music.