Celina Kobetitsch

American organist Celina Kobetitsch regularly appears in concerts throughout Europe and the United States. She currently serves as Associate Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she conducts and accompanies the Cathedral choir for weekly eucharist and evensong services. She also helps lead the robust multi-choir chorister program, directs the handbell choir, performs for diocesan events, leads Trinity's annual chorister camp, and continues developing new ways to share excellent music with the greater community. 

Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Naperville, Illinois, Celina has seen much of the world since. She completed her organ master’s degree with high honors and church music concentrations at the Hochschule für Musik in Leipzig, both the oldest and one of the most prestigious music schools in Germany. In 2020, she was the recipient of a U.S. Fulbright research grant to complete a year of music research in Germany, and in 2022, she received the highly selective DAAD music scholarship to continue her studies there. 

Other notable organ prizes include first prize at the Fugato Organ Competition, the Ruth and Paul Manz Organ Scholarship, and awards from the Kölner Stiftungsfonds. During her organ master, Kobetitsch pursued minors in choral conducting and harpsichord, and performed frequently as organist, harpsichordist, and pianist with many notable Leipzig ensembles. Before studying in Germany, she lived for nearly two years in southern France, pursuing an artist diploma at the Conservatoire de Toulouse under the renowned organist Michel Bouvard. Having performed at major venues such as St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, St. Wenzel's Church in Naumburg, the Basilica of St. Sernin in Toulouse, and St. Pierre de Chartreux in Toulouse, just to name a few, Celina has gained close experience with some of the world’s most magnificent historic organs. 

Although she has established herself as a skilled organist, she possesses a strong background in piano and completed her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with Alvin Chow, while simultaneously pursuing an organ minor with Jonathan Moyer. During her studies at Oberlin, she was organist for Bethany English Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio as well as at Bay Presbyterian Church. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Nott Prize for Excellence in Piano Pedagogy and as a piano and organ teacher since the age of 15, Celina loves teaching and working with young musicians. She is also very interested in entrepreneurial projects and community engagement. During her studies at Oberlin, she co-founded and led an organization, “Concerts for Good,” which fundraised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits through student-led community music events. 

Celina is currently pursuing a performance diploma at the Meadows School of Music under the instruction of Professor Stefan Engels. 

Read more about Celina at celinakobetitsch.com or browse recordings at Celina's Youtube channel.