News
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Recent Performances:
Besides Celtic rock and classical, 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 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!
Background
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.
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 compliments I’ve ever had, when referring to Margaret David and me:
“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 showcased the talents of Celtic musicians and dancers for fairs, 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.
Composition credits include Shanachie: The Challenge of the Sidhe, the Irish step-dance show that Cat produced, directed, wrote, and played in at faires and festivals throughout California, as well as recorded compositions for Phoenyx and Avalon Rising. She has also served as musical director and arranger for shows such as Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance”. Film credits include accounting work on the documentary “Blink” for PBS and Thompson Productions and set costuming for “Keep the Gas Light Burning”. Published articles include “Music in the Palm of Your Hand” for Electronic Musician Magazine and a review of Gig Logic Gig-O-Rama 2.0 in Onstage Magazine. Cat has also been a clinician for Zeta Music and an endorsing artist for D’Addario Strings, Zeta Music, and Prodikeys.
Discography
Phoenyx, Keepers Of The Flame
Phoenyx - Stormbringer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTlps9hVIpQ https://www.prometheus-music.com/keepers.html https://filk.fandom.com/wiki/Keepers_of_the_Flame https://www.amazon.com/Keepers-Of-The-Flame-Phoenyx/dp/B000LX5178#customerReviews

Phoenyx: “Yo Ho”, Keltia (compilation)
Projects of Note
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