Kathy Yankovic is an American educator, graphic artist, fine art photographer, and business manager best known as the wife of Grammy Award winning musician Bruce Hornsby. She is also a civic leader in Virginia who has served on the William & Mary Board of Visitors and led multiple regional non-profit organizations.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Kathy Yankovic Hornsby |
| Birthplace | Richmond, Virginia |
| College Education | Bachelor of Arts in Education, College of William & Mary (1979) |
| Marriage Date | December 31, 1983 |
| Spouse | Bruce Randall Hornsby |
| Children | Keith Hornsby and Russell Hornsby (born January 30, 1992) |
| Occupations | Business Manager, Fine Art Photographer, Graphic Artist, School Teacher |
| Major Honors | William & Mary Prentis Award (2019) |
Early Life, Family Background, and Education
Kathy Yankovic was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up in a family focused on public education, community health, and civic service. Her father was James Yankovich, who worked for many years as the dean of the School of Education at the College of William & Mary. Her mother was Ann Yankovich, who served as the coordinator of health services for Williamsburg-James City County Schools. Growing up in this environment gave Kathy an early appreciation for public service, community wellness, and educational institutions.
Kathy moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, to attend college at the College of William & Mary. She studied education and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While she was a student, Kathy volunteered in her community. She worked as an adult literacy tutor with the Rita Welsh Adult Skills Program, which later became known as Literacy for Life.
Although her formal college degree was in education, Kathy expanded her skills over time into graphic design, studio photography, and non-profit administration. She later noted that her extensive volunteer work with local non-profit groups served as her practical training in business and organizational management.
Marriage and Life in California
In 1980, Kathy Yankovic moved to Los Angeles, California, alongside her partner, musician Bruce Hornsby. The couple moved to the West Coast to support Bruce’s growing career in the music industry. On December 31, 1983, Kathy and Bruce were married.
During their decade in California, Kathy worked in two distinct fields. She taught in local public schools and worked as a commercial graphic artist. At the same time, Bruce worked to build his career as a professional songwriter and performer. In the early 1980s, Bruce wrote pop songs under contract for 20th Century Fox and toured as a keyboard player for pop singer Sheena Easton.
In 1984, Bruce formed the band Bruce Hornsby and the Range. The band signed a recording contract with RCA Records in 1985. In 1986, the group released its debut studio album, titled The Way It Is. The album became a major commercial success, achieving platinum sales status and earning a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1987. Kathy played a direct role in this early success by serving as the art consultant for The Way It Is album release.
Return to Virginia and Family Life
In 1990, Kathy Yankovic and Bruce Hornsby decided to leave Los Angeles and move back to Williamsburg, Virginia. They chose to return to Virginia to raise their children near extended family members and live in a quieter community. They purchased a house located about two and a half miles from downtown Williamsburg. Bruce built a home recording studio inside the house, where he recorded his 1993 album Harbor Lights. Working from home allowed the couple to manage their family duties directly alongside Bruce’s recording career.
On January 30, 1992, Kathy gave birth to twin sons named Keith Hornsby and Russell Hornsby. The couple named their sons after two influential musicians. Keith was named after jazz pianist Keith Jarrett. Russell was named after singer and songwriter Leon Russell.
The Hornsby family maintains broad connections across the arts, public service, and local real estate in Virginia. Kathy’s mother-in-law, Lois Hornsby, was a civic activist in Williamsburg. Her father-in-law, Robert Stanley Hornsby, worked as an attorney, real estate developer, and musician. Bruce’s brother, John Hornsby, worked as an engineer and lawyer who co-wrote many of Bruce’s most popular songs, including the chart-topping hit single The Way It Is. Bruce’s other brother, Robert Saunier “Bobby” Hornsby, works as a local musician and realtor. Through marriage, Kathy is also related to actor and television producer David Hornsby, who is Bruce Hornsby’s cousin.
| Family Member | Relationship | Profession and Notable Details |
| Bruce Hornsby | Husband | Singer, songwriter, and pianist; three-time Grammy Award winner |
| Keith Hornsby | Son | Professional basketball player; named after Keith Jarrett |
| Russell Hornsby | Son | Actor and former middle-distance track athlete; named after Leon Russell |
| James Yankovich | Father | Former Dean of the William & Mary School of Education |
| Ann Yankovich | Mother | Former Health Services Coordinator for local public schools |
| Lois Hornsby | Mother-in-Law | Community leader and civic activist in Williamsburg |
| Robert Stanley Hornsby | Father-in-Law | Attorney, real estate developer, and musician |
| John Hornsby | Brother-in-Law | Lawyer, engineer, and co-writer of major song releases |
| Bobby Hornsby | Brother-in-Law | Realtor and local Virginia musician |
| David Hornsby | Cousin-in-Law | Hollywood actor, writer, and television producer |
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Achievements and Careers of Keith and Russell Hornsby
Kathy Yankovic and Bruce Hornsby raised their twin sons in Williamsburg, supporting their development in sports and academics. Both sons earned national recognition in their respective fields.
Keith Hornsby developed into an elite basketball player during his youth in Virginia. He played Division I college basketball, starting his collegiate career with the UNC Asheville Bulldogs before transferring to play for the Louisiana State University Tigers. After graduating from college, Keith became a professional basketball player, competing in international professional leagues across Europe and North America.
Russell Hornsby focused on athletics and the performing arts. In high school, he became a nationally ranked middle-distance track runner. He competed at national track meets and was recruited by top collegiate track programs across the United States. Russell later transitioned into a career in professional acting, working on various stage and screen projects.
During the years her sons were growing up, Kathy actively volunteered with local and regional youth sports programs. She spent time supporting the Team Flash Track Club and Boo Williams AAU Basketball, helping organize logistics, travel, and events for student athletes across Virginia.
| Son | Field | Career Milestones and Key Details |
| Keith Hornsby | Athletics | Division I basketball at UNC Asheville and LSU; professional international career |
| Russell Hornsby | Arts and Athletics | Top national middle-distance track recruit; professional actor |
Career as Business Manager and Visual Artist
In addition to raising her family, Kathy Yankovic Hornsby built a multi-faceted professional career centered on executive management and the visual arts. After returning to Virginia in 1990, she became the business manager for Bruce Hornsby. In this administrative role, she handles business strategy, tour operations, contractual coordination, and financial organization for her husband’s recording and performing career.
Kathy is also an accomplished fine art photographer specializing in infrared photography. Infrared photography captures light wavelengths that are invisible to the human eye, producing images with unique textures, stark contrasts, and distinct visual tones. Her photographic work focuses on natural landscapes, coastal scenes, and botanical subjects. In 2016, Kathy held a public gallery exhibition of her infrared photography in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Her artwork and photography appear prominently on the packaging of Bruce Hornsby’s music releases. Her images have been featured as cover art, liner note illustrations, and booklet photography for numerous studio and live albums.
For the 2019 album Absolute Zero, Kathy provided the primary cover and liner note photography. Her photographs for the album were taken at the Santa Monica Pier in California and among the ancient sand dunes of Deadvlei in Namibia. In 2024, her photograph titled Plum Phalaenopsis was selected as the front cover image for Deep Sea Vents, a collaborative album recorded by Bruce Hornsby and the music ensemble yMusic under the group name BrhyM.
| Release Year | Album Title | Recording Artist | Kathy Yankovic’s Artistic Role |
| 1986 | The Way It Is | Bruce Hornsby and the Range | Art Consultant |
| 2006 | Intersections 1985-2005 | Bruce Hornsby | Album Photography |
| 2007 | Camp Meeting | Bruce Hornsby | Photography and Cover Paintings |
| 2009 | Levitate | Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers | Album Cover Art |
| 2016 | Rehab Reunion | Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers | Cover Photograph and Booklet Photography |
| 2019 | Absolute Zero | Bruce Hornsby | Cover Photography and Booklet Art |
| 2020 | Non-Secure Connection | Bruce Hornsby | Album Cover Art |
| 2022 | ‘Flicted | Bruce Hornsby | Cover Photograph |
| 2024 | Deep Sea Vents | BrhyM (Bruce Hornsby & yMusic) | Front Cover Photograph (“Plum Phalaenopsis”) |
Board Membership and Community Leadership
Kathy Yankovic Hornsby has dedicated over three decades to civic leadership, environmental conservation, non-profit governance, and public health initiatives. Her work covers numerous regional boards and community foundations across Virginia.
In 2007, Kathy was appointed to the William & Mary Board of Visitors, the governing body responsible for institutional oversight, policy setting, and financial stewardship at the university. She served on the board until 2011. During her tenure, she helped guide the university through a high-profile administrative transition in 2008, following the resignation of university president Gene Nichol and the appointment of interim president Taylor Reveley. Her service to William & Mary also includes working as the Class of 1979 reporter for the alumni magazine, serving on class reunion committees, and supporting the Muscarelle Museum of Art.
Kathy was a co-founder of the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy, which was originally established as the Williamsburg Land Conservancy. She served as the chair of its board of directors, leading regional efforts to preserve open spaces, protect natural watersheds, and encourage environmental conservation across eastern Virginia.
In the 1990s, Kathy took an active role in public health advocacy during the early years of HIV/AIDS awareness. When local commercial venues hesitated to host events for the Williamsburg AIDS Network, Kathy co-chaired the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. She hosted the charity gatherings at her personal residence for several years until the attendance grew too large for a private home.
Kathy gained extensive experience in non-profit management through her work with Child Development Resources, an organization that provides early intervention services for infants and young children with developmental delays. She served as a long-time volunteer and board member under former executive director Corinne Garland, gaining hands-on training in board governance, financial planning, and community outreach.
Her community leadership extends to several other major Virginia organizations. She served on the board of the Williamsburg Community Foundation and chaired its scholarship committee, directing educational grants to local students. She served on the board of directors for the Children’s Museum of Richmond, working on the buildings and exhibits committee during the construction of its Broad Street facility.
Additionally, Kathy has volunteered with and supported Literacy for Life, the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, Habitat for Humanity, An Achievable Dream, the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center, the James River Association, and the James City County Parks and Recreation Commission.
| Organization | Leadership Role | Focus of Work and Contributions |
| William & Mary Board of Visitors | Board Member (2007–2011) | University policy oversight and presidential transition management |
| Historic Virginia Land Conservancy | Co-Founder and Board Chair | Land conservation and regional open space protection |
| Child Development Resources | Board Member and Volunteer | Early childhood intervention and special needs services |
| Williamsburg AIDS Network | Fundraiser Co-Chair and Host | Public health advocacy and community event hosting |
| Williamsburg Community Foundation | Board Member and Committee Chair | Local grantmaking and student scholarship administration |
| Children’s Museum of Richmond | Board Member | Museum development and exhibit planning |
Philanthropy and Educational Endowments
Kathy Yankovic and Bruce Hornsby have directed significant personal resources toward supporting higher education and music education. In 2007, the couple made a major financial gift to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where Bruce earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1977.
Their donation endowed The Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program. The program was designed as an innovative songwriting curriculum within the Frost School of Music. It offers specialized coursework in song composition, lyric writing, American roots music traditions, and music business management. The program allows student musicians to develop creative songwriting skills across genres such as folk, rock, pop, bluegrass, and jazz.
| Institution | Program Created | Year | Purpose and Focus |
| University of Miami Frost School of Music | Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program | 2007 | Songwriting instruction, roots music study, and music industry training |
Honors and Community Recognition
On May 21, 2019, William & Mary honored Kathy Yankovic Hornsby with the Prentis Award during a ceremony held in the historic Wren Building in Williamsburg. The university presents the Prentis Award annually to individuals in the local community who show exceptional civic leadership and strong support for William & Mary.
Kathy’s receipt of the Prentis Award created a remarkable multi-generational family record. Her father, James Yankovich, had previously received the Prentis Award for his service as dean of the School of Education. Her mother-in-law, Lois Hornsby, was also a past recipient of the award for her civic activism in Williamsburg. Having three family members receive the Prentis Award highlights the Hornsby and Yankovich families’ long-term commitment to public education, local governance, and community development across eastern Virginia.
