Biography

Catherine Crouch, Soprano

"Shimmering, clear, agile, beautiful tone with impeccable technique"... ...These are a few words which describe Catherine's luminous voice.

From an early age, Catherine has been performing as a choral singer and as a soloist. Her music studies started in Toronto, Ontario at the Royal Conservatory of Music and since moving to Vancouver in 1992, she has studied under Lars Kaario, and has been coached by Ray Nurse, Ellen Hargis, and Doreen Oke.

Catherine has been a member of the elite chamber choir Laudate Singers for the past 14 years and a principal singer for most of that time. She has performed as soloist with Laudate and instrumental groups in many concerts and recordings including A Baroque Christmas and Celtic Journey cd releases.

Catherine toured Italy with the Capilano University Singers in 2002, performing as a soloist in their concerts at many beautiful cathedrals. She has also performed as featured soloist at Capilano University’s Baroque Fest, and recently was a featured soloist in concerts with the Cecilia Ensemble Women’s Choir of North Vancouver.

For six years Catherine was the soprano soloist and section leader at St. Andrew's United Church in North Vancouver and performed there as a soloist in numerous oratorios.

Currently, Catherine is a soprano section leader and soloist in the award-winning Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Vancouver.

Catherine is a very personable, professional and reliable teacher. Her demeanor is calm, very positive and focused. She maintains an encouraging nature alongside a very good sense of humor. I was impressed by her knowledge and her ability to communicate to me so clearly and comprehensively. After one lesson, I felt inspired, and keen to implement the methods that she had introduced to me. She is a lovely person and a joy to sing with.

C. Holmes

Performer

Catherine’s love of Renaissance and Baroque music repertoire and performance has been nurtured and guided by esteemed teachers and by participating in voice programs and master classes offered through Early Music Vancouver at the University of British Columbia. Catherine has produced successful early music solo recitals and concerts:

• 'O primavera' May 2005 with Doreen Oke, harpsichordist
• 'Weep for Love' Sep 2003 with Doreen Oke, harpsichordist
• 'Mostly Monteverdi' Feb 2002 with Don Conley
• 'Music for a while' Jun 2000 with Pat Unruh (viola da gamba) and Monica Kim (harpsichord)

Among her past choral credits, Catherine has sung with the choirs of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church and Ryerson United Church; in the Holy Rosary Cathedral Quartet, Festival Vancouver Chorus under the batons of Helmuth Rilling, Tõnu Kaljuste and Jon Washburn and with the Capilano University Singers.

Catherine is a wonderful teacher, vocalist and friend. She makes every lesson fun and enjoyable and she has really helped me to understand and appreciate music.

K. Weinborn
Age: 12

Instructor

Catherine Crouch, Voice Teacher

Catherine offers exceptional and affordable private voice lessons for the beginning student to the advanced performer. Single coaching lessons, vocal technique and music theory workshops are also available.

Catherine’s approachable personality and expertise combine to make a positive and enriching environment for her voice students.

Trained in 'bel canto' technique, under Lars Kaario, Catherine brings years of experience and talent to her studio. Under Catherine’s careful guidance, you will build a solid foundation for your voice, and you will come to understand your own voice and how to achieve vocal beauty.

Learn with Catherine:

• bel canto ('beautiful singing') vocal technique and beautiful voice production
• proper breath support and management
• how to reduce tension in your jaw and tongue
• proper language diction
• repertoire and styles to suit your voice
• health and lifestyle tips for the singer

Other bel canto benefits:

• maximize your vocal energy while minimizing effort and tension
• quality and evenness of tone
• better intonation
• less vocal fatigue
• increased dynamic range
• better conservation of breath allowing one to sing longer, more sustained and expressive phrases.

Catherine’s love of teaching has resulted in a thriving private voice studio in North Vancouver.

Having studied with Catherine for several years, she inspires me with such confidence that I have taken my singing to a higher level.  My technique has improved to such an extent that higher notes, extended phrases and diction are becoming so much easier.  Thank you, Catherine.

A. Wreford

Testimonials

My lessons with Catherine are a high point of my week. Catherine's knowledge of music is both broad and deep, and she shares her knowledge easily. Catherine is always good-humoured, and she is also very patient and encouraging, while still insisting on getting a good hour's work from me.

                                                                           

J. Shackell, QC 

I have been taking lessons with Catherine since I was 10 years old.  Not only is she an amazing vocal coach, teaching me incredible techniques for beautiful singing, but she is also a mentor of mine.  She is a wonderfully kind and thoughtful person and I look forward to every lesson I have with her.

O. Startup
Age: 15

I started working with Catherine to improve my ear and breathing while I am working to gain entrance to a post secondary jazz program as a mature student and trumpet player.  I continue working with her now as a vocalist (and a more sophisticated instrumentalist!).  I still can’t believe the fact I can sing well and that so many other musical opportunities are now presenting themselves.  Being able to sing in pitch (well mostly, that is!), I can now sing my trumpet repertoire which has led to a more musical performance. It has also improved my ability to memorise that same repertoire.  Being able to sing (especially in Italian) has opened up a new trove of musical experience for me as well giving me the confidence to perform and get past stage fright, which has dogged me for years.

Catherine’s ability to teach proper vocal mechanics, at the right pace, and to encourage musical exploration has been such a key to increase my commitment to being more than a horn player and to be a musician with a voice.  If you want to develop your voice and are willing to work at it, Catherine is a good as it gets.

 

K. Howie

I am thrilled to be studying with Catherine because she has such a great aptitude for teaching. As a performer, she has acquired many excellent and helpful techniques to share with her students. Her focus, in the study of bel canto singing, is in the vocalization of beautiful, free and sustained tones. She is skillful at identifying and correcting vocal problems and consistently works to negotiate the passagi.

I highly recommend Catherine to anyone who is ready to improve his or her vocal performance.

D. Kindree

Contact

Voice Teacher contact

If you would like more information on Catherine’s voice studio, performance availability as a soloist or choral singer or you would like to speak with Catherine, please use the contact information below:

Links: Friends & Colleagues

Laudate Singers
Christ Church Cathedral
Miriam Davidson

Catherine's method of teaching makes my lessons both fun and challenging. Her approach gives you an appreciation for the art of singing.

L. Price

Aside from Catherine's encouragement, passion and beautiful soprano voice, she was able to help and guide me in my lessons by using a variety of different vocal techniques. She is a great teacher!

Y. Bia