 While at the Curtis Institute, he held scholarships in composition with Rosario Scalero, Gian-Carlo Menotti and Samuel Barber, and a piano scholarship with Isabelle Vengerova.He attended Columbia University from 1947 to 1950.In 1956, Kastle composed a thirteen-minute "made-to-measure" opera, titled "The Swing", for two singers, a speaking part, and piano accompaniment.