Curtis Vellenga
Curtis Vellenga has been teaching horn at Washburn University since 2006. He holds a Bachelor's degree in horn performance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a Master’s Degree in Horn from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
In addition to his duties at Washburn, Mr. Vellenga maintains a very busy schedule of freelancing and teaching in the Kansas City area. He performs often with the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Ballet. He has played Principal Horn with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, Starlight Theater Orchestra and held Principal Horn positions in the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and Kansas City Civic Opera Theater for 7 seasons. Mr. Vellenga performs annually in the highly regarded Colorado MahlerFest and the Kansas City Puccini Festival, where he’s been Principal Horn since 2003. Curt is also an accomplished percussionist, and performs regularly with rock, blues, and jazz groups.
Mr. Vellenga also maintains a private horn studio of about 25 horn students and about 20 percussion students in Kansas City. His students have won the highest honors awarded in their states, and consistently rank among the top students in regional competitions. Many have gone on to receive music scholarships at colleges across the country.
Washburn University Department of Music
