What I Do
I guess you could say I’m a Renaissance woman (pun intended), I’m an eclectic electric and acoustic violinist, a QuickBooks Advanced Certified ProAdvisor, created an acclaimed Celtic dance stage show, was entertainment director for the Great Dickens Christmas Fair for 22 years, and was vice president of Aeronaut Productions, LLC, creators of the museum exhibit “Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination”.
I’ve recently gotten back into performing with progressive folk-rockers Avalon Rising, in the onstage band for the Broadway show “Always…Patsy Cline” and back to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair for five shows a day in Victorian London! See more below.
As a violinist, I learned to blend the right brain with the left, the analytical with the artistic. I think this is why I enjoy helping arts-oriented micro-businesses put their business puzzle pieces together, figure out their finances and stay on top of them. Much the same can be said of the Dickens Fair, where I put together the stage schedules and budgets and at the same time work with directors and performers to create an immersive version of Charles Dickens’ London.
And I’m just beginning the creation of LifeFaire.org to help all these folks and more put together the puzzle pieces of the business of life.
Avalon Rising
Shanachie: The Challenge of the Sidhe
Musical Projects
Upcoming gigs include Avalon Rising at the St. Patrick’s Celebration in Dublin on March 18th and 19th. Visit my performances page for more!
I’ve always enjoyed theatre and film music and was recently tapped to play in the onstage band for the Broadway show “Always…Patsy Cline” at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. I haven’t really smelled the grease paint in a number of years, so this is both a challenge and a lot of fun.
The return of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair was great! I accompanied Jim Chiminey on the Mad’s Sal’s stage and with the Irish Christmas Celebration on the Fezziwig’s stage, also sitting in with Newcastle Pipe & Bowl and Paddy West. It was great being back!
As a violinist and an electric violinist, I have performed and recorded with many ensembles including Avalon Rising, Celtic music and dance with Fiddler’s Fancy, seminal Celtic fusion band Phoenyx, the funky blues-folk-rock band Amazon Queen, Celtic-Middle-Eastern- tribal-trance-dance ensemble Haunted By Waters, world-jazz with Go Van Gogh and classical with Symphony Parnassus. I also played in bands and orchestras for a good number of stage shows and created the critically acclaimed Celtic dance show “Shanachie: The Challenge of the Sidhe”, which combined the ancient Celtic storytelling tradition of the Shanachie with the music and power of Irish hard shoe dancing.
You can see more about my musical projects and my (mostly) complete discography here.
Cat Taylor Bookkeeping
I’m a QuickBooks Advanced Certified ProAdvisor specializing in de-panicking micro-businesses with QuickBooks. More than 25 years helping small businesses on PCs and Macs stay on top of their finances.
As a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 2004, I support multiple versions of QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks for Windows and Mac OS I’m skilled at setting up new businesses, reconstructing existing ones, training, account reconciliation, and maintenance bookkeeping. I offer clear, easy to understand explanations, training and a smooth interface with CPA’s and Enrolled Agents.
Member of the Woodard Alliance, AIPB and ICBUSA.
ProAdvisor: Advanced Online
ProAdvisor Desktop
Past & Present Projects
Avalon Rising
Celtic rock band Avalon Rising is known for its unique sound: a blend of psychedelic original rock, Celtic and Medieval music. Brilliant vocals over intricate instrumental work.
Avalon Rising's second album, "Storming Heaven", received wonderful reviews, including a fabulous review in Guitar Player Magazine. Referring to us as "absolutely stellar musicians", the review includes one of the best complements I've ever had, when referring to Margaret and I:
"The duo's soaring, almost achingly sensual phrasing gives age-old and original melodies near-cinematic impact. (Don't be surprised or embarrassed if you shed a tear when listening to their plaintive harmonic dances -- it just means you're a living, breathing, feeling person.)"
- Michael Molenda, Guitar Player Magazine
Fiddler's Fancy
Fiddler’s Fancy showcased the talents of Celtic musicians and dancers for faires, festivals and weddings and included the critically acclaimed Celtic dance show “Shanachie: The Challenge of the Sidhe”, which combined the ancient Celtic storytelling tradition of the Shanachie with the music and power of Irish hard shoe dancing.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
I was the entertainment director for the nearly 800 performers for this wonderful holiday event for 22 years. Held at San Francisco’s Cow Palace every holiday season, visitors enjoy three acres of Victorian holiday delights – gifts, food, drink, and entertainment galore!
I returned to the fair in 2022 as a performer, fiddling five shows a day!
Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination!
Aeronaut Productions created the museum exhibit Steampunk: History Beyond Imagination! which explored the origins, influences, and artistry of the steampunk aesthetic – a Neo-Victorian movement inspired by a fancifully re-imagined Age of Steam. It was the most popular exhibit ever at Anaheim’s Muzeo when it completed its run in 2012.
Articles: Orange County Register and NBC Los Angeles