1) Katie Holmes is a young classical guitarist from Alabama. She is currently studying under Dr. Andrew Zohn of Columbus State University, pursuing a degree in guitar performance as a Woodruff Artist, and Honors student, at the Schwob School of Music. To Katie, music is elemental – it was a constant in her first few years. Katie was four when her grandmother began guitar lessons. Charmed by this new voice, Katie soon had the lessons for herself, and an intense bond with the guitar began. She gave her first solo recital in Spokane, Washington – on guitar and piano – at age five. Within a year she received her first grant for talent; within the next the sound of her guitar first appeared on radio. Soon after moving to Alabama she was invited to play with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, marking her first performance with orchestra at the age of seven. Since then Ms. Holmes has participated in numerous guitar festivals around the Southeast, winning competitions at East Carolina State University, Columbus State University, and MusicFest NorthWest (in Spokane, Washington) and placing highly in middle- and high-school level competitions at Georgia College & State University, Appalachian State University, and in the YoungArts National Competition. She has been a featured performer at the Tennessee State University Guitar Festival multiple times. Ms. Holmes has given solo performances in concert halls, theaters and auditoriums, art galleries and museums, care facilities, houses of worship, public parks, and private residences. Her guitar sings in classrooms, hallways, and stairwells, upon sidewalk and street, for radio and television. Beside her recitals stand Katie’s performance with and membership in local school bands, community theaters, and chorales, for which she has sung, played piano, percussion, clarinet, and guitar. Ms. Holmes was for three years Pianist at First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery, before leaving to pursue her studies at CSU. She continues to be a working musician, though her availability is mightily constrained by her college schedule. She released her first CD of solo guitar pieces, Prelude, in 2013, which was subsequently played on the “Guitar Hour” radio show on KPBX, and her first full-length album, Quinceañera, in 2014. She hopes to release many more recordings. In 2005 Katie began her study with Andrew Zohn. Since then she has also received high praise in masterclass performances with guitarists David Russell, Martha Masters, William Kanengiser, Dale Kavanaugh, SoloDuo, Xuefei Yang, Paul Galbraith, and many others from around the world. Besides the universal regard for her ability to learn, she is known for her lyrical and expressive playing, and her delightful personality. Even with the immense enjoyment from these classes with guitar masters, Zohn still holds a special place in her heart. In addition to his extensive knowledge of the repertoire and uncanny ability to select beautiful pieces for study, “He agreed to teach someone 10 years younger than his regular students!” says Katie. Eight years later, at age fifteen, she became one of those regular students when she began her own degree program still under his tutelage. Though she has been a professional musician for years, Ms. Holmes has devoted herself to greater things yet. In this her foundation is quite secure. Since the beginning she has been known as “that wonderful young guitarist,” and there can be no doubt that, as David Russell commented, “she has a very good future in this field.” But, “It’s not enough to be a good ‘young’ guitarist,” says Katie. Her acceptance of Woodruff Artist is part of a commitment to continuing work, study, and growth, beyond youth, in hopes of becoming a world-class performer. Whether she is able to reach such lofty goals, as her fascination persists, we shall see. In the meantime, she continues to delight listeners wherever her guitar sings. 2) Kate Noelle "Katie" Holmes (born December 18, 1978 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have ranged from art house films such as The Ice Storm to thrillers such as Abandon to blockbusters such as Batman Begins. In early 2005, Holmes began a highly publicized relationship with actor Tom Cruise. In April 2006, Holmes gave birth to their daughter, Suri. On November 18, 2006, she and Cruise married in Italy.