Kaleb WIlkening

Kaleb is a music teacher and collaborator based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he studied with Dr. Paul Barnes. Kaleb studied Organ with Dr. Christopher Marks and Brent Shaw. While studying at UNL he attended the Vienna International Piano Academy and has performed in masterclasses with artists such as Joyce Yang, Sean Chen, and Eva Polgar. Kaleb was recently a teaching artist with the Lied Center Piano Academy and has led music theory classes with Lied Center Community Learning.

Kaleb is a frequent collaborator and music director with multiple performing arts organizations in the Lincoln and Omaha area. Recent credits include: The Prom (Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2024), Cabaret (Lincoln Community Playhouse, 2024), Pippin (Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2023), Catch Me If You Can (Pinewood Performing Arts, 2023), Ordinary Days (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Theatrix, 2023), and Into The Woods (Lincoln Public Schools, 2023). Kaleb is the collaborative pianist for the Lied Center Performing Arts Triple Threat Intensive where he accompanies 40+ high school students in masterclasses led by leading professionals such as Special Tony Award Winner Jason Michael Webb, Q Smith, Alicia Olatuja, and Katie Pohlman.

Kaleb grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota where he studied Viola in the Black Hills Suzuki School with Carol Knowles. While in Rapid City, he played viola with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, accompanied local choirs, and played piano with Black Hills Community Theater (BHCT) and Advocates for Creative Theater Students (ACTS). His previous piano teachers include Anne Foster, Jim MacInnes, Symeon Wasseen, and Paul Barnes.

Kaleb currently serves as the Assistant Music Director at Saint Paul First United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska and runs his own music studio where he teaches piano and music theory. With over 10 years as a collaborator, he has experience with solo voice, instrumental, chamber music, choir, and musical theater.

In his free time Kaleb enjoys hiking, reading, and taking care of his two cats Koda and Suki.