Profile

Most recently Catherine has been based in Canada. Initially at the Banff Centre of the Arts for a 3-month Artist Residency and then continuing with Canadian pianist and pedagogue Marc Durand completing the Diplome d’Études Supérieures Specialisées at the Université de Montréal in 2003–4, in Piano and French. She focused on solo piano here, but also had the opportunity to perform Chausson’s beautiful Concerto for violin, piano and string quartet, a contemporary Canadian work for two pianos, percussion and marimba amongst other repertoire.

Prior to this she was pianist of the Turnovsky Trio for four years, and together they competed at the ARD International Chamber Music Competition in Munich, performed at NZ Embassies in Europe, recorded a CD of Russian Romantic Piano Trios on the Morrison Trust label and concertised throughout NZ, in parts of England and the US. During this period they collaborated with other musicians to perform much of the quartet and quintet chamber repertoire.

In New Zealand principal training was with Jan Beck while she was a student at Napier Girls’ High School, Terence Dennis (BMus 1st Class) and Diedre Irons (MMus with Distinction). She was the recipient of many awards and prizes at national level competitions, during this period — twice performing as concerto soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and with Da Capo Chamber Orchestra. Following the award of a full scholarship from the Associated Board she continued studies at the Royal College of Music in London. While here she played at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, St James Piccadilly, Southbank Centre, Australia House, Royal Overseas House and was prizewinner in the Kendall Taylor Beethoven Piano Competition.

Recent performances in 2004-05 include solo recitals in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson Winter Arts Festival, Hawkes Bay, Tokoroa, Whitianga and Christchurch; as concerto soloist for Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto with Michael Houstoun conducting in Auckland, and Chopin’s F minor Piano Concerto with the Hawkes Bay Regional Orchestra and as accompanist to Dame Malvina Major at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

She now lives in Wellington and coaches for “CHAMPS” (Chamber Music Programme run at Massey University), is accompanist at Victoria University’s School of Music and teaches French in between performing.

• Works performed (21)