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Catherine is living a somewhat nomadic existence mostly in the west of Canada. Through The Sun and the Wind (formerlly Skuld) Project, her work is devoted to creating a deep & deepening connection with the wild natural world, in part, by helping to bring modern industrial civilisation to it's knees. Catherine is a composer, vocalist, musician, instrument maker, visual & material artist. A major focus in Catherine's life these days is long distance travel on horseback. In 2011/12 She traveled solo from central Saskatchewan south close to the US border then west through southern Saskatchewan and Alberta finishing near the north end of the Porcupine Hills. She plans to continue her travels in 2013 north through Alberta and BC along the eastern edge of the rockies. It September 2012, Catherine was greatly honoured with membership in The Long Riders Guild, the international association of equestrian explorers.
Catherine has had a long involvement in traditional Irish music both as an instrumentalist and vocalist. She has taken part in Irish language and singing (séan-nos) workshops at Oideas Gael in Co. Donegal in the northwest of Ireland as well as workshops and studies in Canada.
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This interest in Irish music over the years has led her to many different places musically, often quite radically different from the roots of that tradition. Over the last twelve years she has been involved in composition and performance with a number of contemporary dance creators and this has become a major focus in her musical life. To date she has created twenty five pieces for dance theatre to some critical acclaim.
In the dance world, Catherine has worked with Kate Alton, P. Megan Andrews, Peggy Baker, Louise Bédard, Serge Bennathan, Sylvie Bouchard, Tanya Crowder, Susanna Hood, Sasha Ivanochko, Karen Kaeja, Rachel Kennedy, Susan Lee, Elena Mamais, Naoko Murakoshi, Julia Sasso, Roger Sinha, Heidi Strauss, Darryl Tracy and Eryn Dace Trudell.
Her work has been seen and heard in a number of diverse modes throughout Canada, in Thailand, Ireland and the USA. While studying Irish, Catherine had some wonderful performance opportunities in Donegal, Ireland as well as of course, witnessing and learning from some incredible music and musicians. In the theatre/film/TV realm she has recorded and composed music for Armand Garnet Ruffo's A Windigo Tale, Vision TV, Debaghimajig Theatre and Native Earth Productions.
The Sun and The Wind project is Catherine's current long term person project. It is extensive in scope and deals with many aspects of our human place on tthe wild world. Please go to The Sun and The Wind (above) for more information.
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photo: N. Michael Thompson
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In the world of making stuff, Catherine has been making moccassins and other related things since her youth. The first bit she ever sewed was at her grandmother's side at the age of 8 where she learned to darn socks. She makes many of the instruments that she plays.
Catherine worked for many years in the Toronto film world in the costume, props and set departments of numerous productions.
These days, a lot of her stuff creating revolves around making instruments. Mostly instruments that have hide coverings, Cora, Banjo, Igil and most recently a Tsugaru Shamisen. She has also been making a fair bit the leather bits of her long ride equipment.
Catherine is an avid outdoors enthusiast, she loves to wander the wild hills and plains, swim in the clear waters and walk on the frozen lakes as often as she can. She also has a passion for Kendo and Iaido (Japanese sword martial arts).
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