About

...it's encouraging to see an educator with great technique, incredible teaching acumen, and passion!  You literally sparkle on the podium!

Dr. Tami Lee Hughes, Professor of Violin, Spelman College

Dr. Catherine Hudnall received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of music, her Master’s degree from Georgia State University, and her Doctoral degree from Mercer University. Currently, she is the Orchestra Director at North Gwinnett Middle School, and Artistic Director and conductor at Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. She was the teacher of the year at Norcross High School and received the American String Teachers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Hudnall is a regular conductor and clinician for honor ensembles throughout the country and has conducted All-State Orchestras in South Carolina, Mississippi, California, and Michigan. She served as an adjudicator for the National ASTA Orchestra Festival in 2019. Her students have been invited to perform for the Georgia State Music Educators conference in 1995, 2006, and 2009. She was a guest conductor of the Gwinnett Philharmonic Orchestra in 2004, 2006, and 2007, and she co-directed the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony for six years. In 2006, the Norcross High School Philharmonic Orchestra won the National Championship High School String Orchestra Award at the American String Teachers Association conference in Kansas City. Three of her ensembles have been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Hudnall is a member of the National Music Educators Association, the Conductors Guild, the Performing Arts Medical Association, and the American String Teachers Association. She served as state president of the Georgia ASTA chapter.

Dr. Hudnall studied cello with Hans Schmettau and Martha Gerschefski. As a professional cellist, she has performed with the Gwinnett Philharmonic Orchestra, the Georgia Women’s Symphony, the 1st International Cello Congress Choir, the Maui Symphony, the Florence Symphony, the Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charleston Symphony, the Augusta Symphony, the Spartanburg Symphony, the Gainesville Symphony, and the Brevard Music Center Festival Orchestra. She is a member of the Candler String Quartet, is an active consultant and teacher of Healthy Musicianship, and teaches private cello lessons in her home.