This week I’m hosting Sarah Sundin with A Distant Melody and Catherine Imbert who writes music. If you want to enter the drawing for Sarah’s book, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (Mar. 28th) evening.
Bio of Catherine Imbert (the interview will follow tomorrow):
An expert in teaching creative children and helping parents understand their creative child, Catherine coaches parents, and works with students of all ages, teaching music and the piano. Creative people see the world and every aspect of the world differently from other people. As children we don’t know we are doing that. Unfortunately parents think that their child is just being difficult. It wasn’t until Catherine was in her 40s that she realized she WAS creative and that that was why she never really ‘fit’ in with what everyone else was saying or thinking or feeling. Since then she has been taking her experiences and helping others to understand what they are going though.
Catherine is an international performer, composer, teacher, author, and lecturer. She can compose in many styles of music, from classical to punk rock. Catherine has the ability to write a special music program that meets your needs. She can also help you get your song written down and arranged. And she works using music to help people with their memory.
Catherine has a diverse musical background. She started organ lessons at age nine. Piano, guitar, and voice lessons followed. Catherine continued her formal education, receiving an organ scholarship to Stetson University at the age of 17.
In 1977, she was asked to write and pilot a program of preschool music education for use by the U.S. Army Day Cares. She accepted the challenge. It was a success, and much of her program is still use by military day care centers worldwide.
After moving to Germany, Catherine started a program for piano lessons at the youth center in Neubruecke. She continued to grow musically by performing in musical shows, and at the young age of 25, became the musical director of “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum”. Highlights of her stay in Germany were the chance to play Mozart’s harpsichord, as well as Wagner’s piano.
Catherine has done volunteer work in many areas. One of her most rewarding experiences was teaching a summer drama and voice workshop to handicapped children in Hinesville, Georgia.
While living in Denver, Colorado, she started “The American Home-Schooled Singers”. They studied music, and also performed all over the Denver area.
Moving back to her hometown, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, she opened “The Grand Staff Music Company’, a school of the performing arts. In 1996, Catherine became a recording artist/composer with her first album entitled “Deliverance”. She also signed a record deal in 1997 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Some past endeavors have included writing music notation books, composing, and laying down tracks to an exercise video. Even though Catherine has several interests, she loves teaching. Her students have gone to international competitions, winning several awards and college scholarships.
In 2004, Catherine was invited to be the “Artist in Residence” at Camelot Castle in Cornwall, England. At Camelot Castle, she composed and performed on a daily basis, as she looked out toward the sea and the ruins of Tintagel Castle, the birthplace of King Arthur.
In 2008, some of Catherine’s students had the opportunity to go to England to perform at The Glastonbury Abbey, The Mad Hatter Tea Shop, and the Romsey’s Beggars Fair.
Catherine feels very fortunate that she has had the opportunity to study, teach, and perform in Europe as well as all over the United States.
Music is ever changing and so is Catherine and her creativity. She will continue to experiment, compose, and arrange music in different styles to help others.
Currently you can take lessons in: Preschool Music, Piano, Keyboard, Organ, Guitar, and Voice from Catherine either in your school, home, or via SKYPE. Catherine is also available to talk to groups about music or to give concerts. With Catherine’s help young children and adults both can write music.
Contact:
Website address: http://sites.google.com/site/musicbycatherine
Email:
Music.By.Catherine@gmail.com
Profile Pages:
www.ShoutLife.com/ClassyKeys (a Christian Social Network)
Blog:
http://catherinesmusicnotes.blogspot.com
My Personal Note To You:
I was very young when my parents would eat in a diner in New Jersey, put on a record of Elvis, put me up on the counter and I would sing and dance as best as I could, just like Elvis. Then it was church productions where I usually had the leading lady parts. So, all my life I have been involved in music and performing. Music has always been there with me, it is the biggest part of who I am. I didn’t figure out until in my 40s that other people didn’t hear or ‘see’ music the same way that I did.
My goal is to use my creativity and empathy to teach, support, and inspire others to freely express their talents in a harmonious and creative way. I love people, and I love to teach. *smiles*
“Music lessons should be about the student. Each student learns in different ways, and at different speeds. Music is a journey, and on that journey, we will work together” –
Catherine Imbert
