Summary
Katherine Parker is a distinguished soprano, vocal pedagogue and performer. She earned her Master of Music (MM) in Vocal Pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Additionally, she holds K-12 teaching certification in Illinois and Massachusetts and is a certified yoga instructor with a 200 RYS certification.
Professor Parker has held faculty positions at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Salem State University, Phillips Academy Andover and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. She is highly sought after as a guest artist and clinician, having presented masterclasses and workshops at renowned institutions and events across the United States, including Classical Singer Magazine National Competition, National Association Teachers of Singing, Berklee Jazz Fest, Boston Conservatory Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop, Massachusetts Music Educators Association and Nevada Music Educators Association, and at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Brown University. She was nominated for the UNR Paul and Judy Bible Teaching Award in 2021 for excellence in teaching.
Her career as a director/performer spans beyond traditional classical and musical theatre repertoire. Notable musical theatre credits include Miss Honey in "Matilda," Francesca in "Bridges of Madison County," Kate/Lilli in "Kiss Me Kate," and Claudia in "Nine." She is also known for her expertise in new works and 20th-century techniques. Her repertoire includes such compositions as “Tierkreis” (Stockhausen) and “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” (Lori Laitman.) She has premiered works at International Clarinet Association, Boston New Opera and Musical Theatre Initiative and two seasons at NEO voice festival Los Angeles She has directed productions of Acis and Galatea, The Old Maid and the Thief, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and curated/directed an immersive fine art/Baroque opera exhibit at the University of Nevada, Reno Lilley Gallery with Tahoe-based plein air landscape artist Phyllis Shafer titled Sierra Nevada Pastorale. As a dancer and instrumentalist, she spent three summers studying Ewe drumming and dance in Dagbe Cultural Centre in Kopeyia, Ghana and with the National Dance Theatre in Accra.
Professor Parker’s dedication to mentorship and guidance is evident in the achievements of her students, many of whom have pursued successful careers in opera, musical theatre, and academia. Her current and former students currently perform or have held contracts with Deutsche Oper Berlin, the National tours of Mrs. Doubtfire, Pretty Woman, Beetlejuice, The Cher Show, Broadway for Biden, and regional theatres/opera houses across the world. They have garnered recognition and wins at national competitions including the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, The Jimmy Awards, HGO Eleanor McCollum Aria Competition, NATS Cal-West/Boston/New England and National Competition, Classical Singer, and Hal Leonard Voice Competition. Additionally, they have been accepted into esteemed young artist programs and institutions including Boston University Opera Institute, University of Michigan, Merola, AIMS and Opera Seme.