Singing teacher

Katterwall: How did you get involved with Katterwall?
Amy: I got involved with Katterwall through a friend who lives here who I used to know in Tokyo where I lived for 6 years. He and I were involved in a group called Tokyo International Players. He had moved here since Tokyo, and knew Katterwall was looking for a singing teacher, and fortunately it was a perfect fit!

K: What is your singing / music background?
A: I've been involved in singing and theatre for the last 30 plus years since my start in New York City where I studied singing, acting and dancing. I've performed Off-Broadway in New York, as well as all over the U.S and then again in Tokyo when we moved there because of my husband's job.

K: I know this is your first year in HK, how do you feel about the city, especially the arts / culture?
A: I'm easily adjusting to life in Hong Kong having spent many years in New York, which is also quite a large, busy, congested city. I like the many opposites of Hong Kong--one moment you're in crowded, busy Central and then a short drive or bus ride can take you to the Peak where you can walk a trail in the woods! Culturally, I'm impressed by the many small theatrical and performing groups as well as the international array of Cinema. There's a lot to do if you look for it, but there could be more, especially if there were more venues [Hear, hear – Ed.]

K: What is your most memorable performing or teaching experience?
A: I have many memorable performing moments--I performed in a Kabuki festival in Chichibu, Japan and we presented a version of The Three Little Pigs (at a Kabuki festival!!). The costume left a lot to be desired--it was basically a pink fat suit! There's a photo somewhere of me, which I hope never surfaces. On the serious side, my very first audition in New York was for a production of The Diary of Anne Frank and I got the lead! I had no training yet, but I was cast anyway. It was a great experience to have my first role on a New York stage, but unfortunately was closed down prematurely because the Frank family had not given permission for this production. We ended up performing it at a high school in Vermont!

K: What are you plans in HK?
A: My future plans in HK are to continue pretty much what I'm already doing--teaching voice and performing. I've been lucky to have been cast in a production of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" in which I am playing the role of Desiree to be performed in June.

Amy is teaching in the Katterwall studio now. To enquire about lessons with our teachers, please contact celia@katterwall.com.

Soho Collective singers entertained a maximum capacity crowd at the HK Stadium on Sunday 29^th March as part of the final day celebrations of the Rugby Sevens.

An a cappella quartet comprising of yours truly, Carrie Grev, Daren Durkin and James Smith sang the anthems of the two teams that made it to the cup final, Fiji and South Africa. Had it been necessary, we could have demonstrated our close harmony Samoan, Maori or even Welsh... maybe next year!

To close the entire weekend, the crowd was entertained by soprano Jo-Anne Trevenna and tenor Chen Yong who performed “Time To Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiro)”. This has become a regular fixture at the Sevens over the past five years and each time it is totally spell binding. The cup is raised by the winning team, the marching bands parade onto the pitch, brilliant white fireworks arc over the stadium, the orchestral accompaniment starts, and a single spotlight appears on two singers in the centre of the pitch. This year, the crowd even joined in on the chorus. Marvellous.

April
2^nd & 3^rd : West End Girls & Broadway Babes with Kassia Women's Choir @ Canadian International School of Hong Kong
Tickets from Katterwall office

8^nd - 17^th : The Chamber Choir Kassia Women's Choir's new small group singing project

Easter School Holidays : Katterwall's “Singing'SKool” for 9-12 year olds
Email celia@katterwall for more details

May
16^th : Katterwall's Junior Recital our school age students perform to family and friends.

June
5^th : Katterwall's Adult Recital our adults perform to family and friends.

15^th : Raising The Roof 2009 with Kassia Choirs & Friends @ HK Cultural Centre, T.S.T.
Tickets from URBTIX from mid-May

August
5^th : Summer Fling 2009 starts
More information to come!