About Mrs.Amabile

Mrs. Kathleen Amabile is the Band Director for Grades 5–12 at the Elk Lake School District in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where she has been teaching since 2009. She directs all instrumental ensembles, which includes 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, Junior High Band, Senior High Concert Band, and the Jazz Ensemble. In addition to her instructional roles, she serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair. Her previous assignments at Elk Lake have included K–6 general music, junior high chorus and general music, and music instruction for special education classes.

A passionate advocate for music education, Kathleen has presented sessions at both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) State Conference and the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Her written work has been featured on Band Directors Talk Shop, including the articles “There is Life After College: Thriving in Your First Years of Teaching” and “Why Keeping an Open Mind Can Lead to Your Dream Job,” both published in 2024. In recognition of her commitment to teaching, she was named a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award in both 2025 and 2026.

Kathleen actively contributes to the professional music education community as the PMEA District 9 Band Fest Coordinator and High School Professional Development Chair. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Chester University, a Master’s degree in Education from Wilkes University, and a Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from Messiah University. She has also served as an adjunct instructor in woodwinds and music education at Clarks Summit University and Marywood University.

Kathleen resides in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, with her husband, John and two cats, Salvador and Sophie. Outside of music, she loves to read, weight lifting, puzzles, Nintendo Switch, and is very passionate about her love of Starbucks.