Katie Thiroux

Katie Thiroux is a multifaceted jazz musician and educator at the University of Southern California (USC), where she teaches private jazz voice lessons and instrumental jazz ensembles. She is also the inaugural director of the Monterey Jazz Festival's Women in Jazz program and co-creator of Jazz Maui Camp. Thiroux blends her expertise as a bassist, vocalist, and composer, earning acclaim from outlets like The New Yorker, DownBeat, and All About Jazz.

• Education: Master of Music (M.M.) from California State University of Long Beach (KJZZ Scholar), Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from Berklee College of Music (Presidential Scholarship).

Thiroux’s research interests span jazz performance, bass and vocal pedagogy, and mentorship. Her work emphasizes foundational techniques and cultural preservation in jazz, while advocating for neurodiverse communities through her advocacy and music.

Her accolades include a 2021 U.S. Congressional Recognition for Women in Jazz, DownBeat Magazine's 'Best Album of the Year' for Off Beat (2018), and a 2015 Phil Ramone Presidential Scholarship. She was also a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Competition.

As an educator, Thiroux engages globally via private online lessons, Discover Double Bass courses, and USC. She tours internationally, performs at major jazz festivals, and hosts the podcast The Hump with Katie Thiroux, exploring the artistry of jazz musicians. Her personal journey as a mother to an autistic daughter deeply influences her creative and advocacy work.