Biography
Raised in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, Kiernan M. Steiner began singing in church at two years old and her love for music never ceased. At the age of three, Kiernan began her music education at Viterbo University studying the violin using the Suzuki method, and started piano at age eight. As she continued her music education in the Viroqua area, she began taking lessons in clarinet, mandolin, voice, and violin. At home, Kiernan self-taught herself guitar and began writing her own songs. Her experiences singing for weekly church services, weddings, and funerals, as well as success in State-wide contests only encouraged her to pursue higher education in Vocal Music.
In May of 2014, Kiernan completed her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. After graduation, Kiernan taught private voice, vocal directed the musical, and directed the choral program at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua, Wisconsin. While studying at the University of Missouri - Columbia with Dr. R. Paul Crabb, she served as a Choral Teaching Assistant and directed the vocal jazz ensemble, Hitt Street Harmony. Meanwhile, she continued her music ministry at Centralia United Methodist Church and Missouri United Methodist Church. In May 2018, Kiernan received her Master's of Music in Choral Conducting. Throughout her teaching and performing experiences, she has worked with singers in all genres, including bluegrass/country, jazz, pop, R&B, gospel, musical theater, and classical music. Kiernan is now a teaching assistant and doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, advised by Dr. David Schildkret. She is currently the director of the Sol Singers (formerly Women's Chorus) at Arizona State University and teaches Beginning Choral Conducting. Her research includes curriculum theory, music education philosophy, womanism, gender studies, and American music of the 20th century. Her mission is to inspire and encourage people all over the world to connect and communicate through music by engaging individuals through intentional and meaningful lessons and rehearsals.