Wonderland
CD Journey
Making a CD is indeed a journey. My entire life has been a musical journey - from humming lullabies to myself as a child to performing with symphony orchestras on the most lauded stages of the world, to sitting on the floor singing “Three-cornered hat” with my nieces. Having three degrees in singing and having been a college professor of singing, I have sung the most beautiful compositions by the most brilliant composers. It is now my great honor and privilege to write my own songs - from my own heart.
Collaborators
Susan Mohini Kane is currently working on her third album of songs. This one will be comprised of her own original songs and possibly songs written by friends. I have learned that it is a great joy to compose songs with my friends. I have already worked with Nathan Alamillo, Cynthia Hart, Rich McKinney, Ella Rachel, and Kim-Char Meredith to write and/or tweak original songs. I’ve even worked with some very talented incarcerated men in the California State Men’s Prison, along with my graduate students from Cal State LA. Some of my songs come to me on my walks with Bo and others are inspired by lyrics or nature. And, of course, my sweet husband, Bernard, is always there when I try out a new song to give suggestions. This journey is certainly interesting - it is a great honor and joy for me to listen to my heart and then let it sing out loud.
My wonderful mentor and producer, Martin Stansbury, is from Cornwall, England, and is a total lifesaver for me. He not only helps me to record the tracks technically, but he also encourages me to really let loose and sing from my heart. I’m continuing to learn more and to let go more every day. The first track will most likely be released before the end of the year. My plan is to release two more singles before we release the whole album. Wow! I’m excited just telling you about it now! It seems the music world and my inner musician still have much to teach me.
Her Music Lives
Season One
Five Extraordinary Songs by Five Exceptional Women. Dr. Susan Mohini Kane, soprano and Dr. Katharine Boyes, piano, bring you Season One: Night Songs by Women. We hope you’ll use these videos in your events, courses, or just in your life. They are beautiful and interesting.
Season One: Night Songs by Women
Season One: Night Songs by Women
Five Extraordinary Songs by Five Exceptional Women
This lecture-recital series will introduce you to five talented women composers, their stories and their music - destined to be discovered by you, here in the 21st-century. Each composer’s work highlights her settings of texts on the theme of “night.” These wonderful songs could be taught in vocal and piano studios, in music history and literature courses, and shared with groups that promote the voices of women and girls.
This video lecture/recital series was created by Dr. Katharine Boyes (piano) and Dr. Susan Mohini Kane (soprano). These talented artists studied the music and history of women composers while graduate students at The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Their doctoral theses that highlight women composers’ music for piano, and voice and piano, are listed below. Subsequent varied interests in promoting the works of women led to recordings - Spotify, Apple Music - workshops, conference presentations, and lecture/recitals on women in music.
Publications:
Dr. Katharine Boyes (piano) – Portraits of the Seasons by Women Composers on Amazon.com and CD Baby.
Katharine Boyes’s doctoral thesis: The Months of the Year Portrayed in Piano Works by Fanny Hensel, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Peter Tchaikovsky, and Judith Lang-Zaimont.
Dr. Susan Mohini Kane (soprano) – A Moment of Joy includes songs by Sara Carina Graef, Fanny Hensel, and Cécile Chaminade on Amazon.com & From the Heart includes a song by Madeleine Dring, also on Amazon.
Susan Kane’s doctoral thesis: Liza Lehmann (1982-1918): Her Times, Roles, and Songs.
Want to Meet These Artists in Person?
Both Susan and Katharine are available for workshops, presentations, performances, and masterclasses. Please use the form below to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
Collaborator
Pianist Katharine Boyes, a native of England, has performed solo and chamber music recitals throughout Great Britain and the U.S.A. in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and Barbican Center, London; Temple Square Concert Series, Salt Lake City; and Davis Symphony Hall, San Francisco. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, and also degrees from the Royal Academy of Music, London and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Katharine has a special interest in piano music by women composers and in 2001 she released Piano Portraits of the Seasons by Women Composers, a CD of repertoire which portrays the seasons. She is currently preparing repertoire for another CD entitled, Nocturnes by Women Composers. She is also developing a lecture-recital of songs by women composers about the night with soprano, Susan Kane, for 2020. Katharine has created a music-theatrical performance entitled Monologues and Music in which she performs as women composer-pianists of the European Salons of the nineteenth century. She also been featured on BBC Radio and American Public Radio.
Katharine is active in furthering the education of young musicians, college students and adults and frequently serves as adjudicator, clinician, masterclass specialist, lecturer, and workshop coordinator. She has studied the Alexander Technique with several clinicians including Charles Stein of Winston-Salem, NC and Barbara Conable of Columbus, OH, and her interest and study of Eurhythmics began with Allen Otte, a member of the Cincinnati Percussion Ensemble.
Currently, Katharine is Assistant Professor in the Fine Arts Department at Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh. Her previous faculty positions include University of North Carolina School of the Arts, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, Preparatory Music School – University of Cincinnati, and Salem College.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Portraits-Seasons-Women-Composers/dp/B00005LB80
https://www.ccmusic.com/katharine-boyes-piano-portraits-of-the-season/660355563928
Ancient Melodies
Songs for YOU
Our Ancient Melodies Project currently consists of five original songs written by Richard McKinney and Susan Mohini Kane. These songs have dual intent: 1. to help you develop your singing skills; and 2. to offer you insight into some of the principles of yoga. They were originally called “Yoga of Singing” and they will figure prominently in my Foundations of Singing Course and maybe even in the podcast, but we decided on Ancient Melodies because: 1. we believe in melody; and 2. they are based on ancient Indian ragas.
Collaborators
Rich McKinney and Susan Mohini Kane met in 1977 when Kane was in high school and McKinney was the choir director. Over the years they have collaborated on many projects though this is the first where they co-created new music. Rich is a composer and pianist and Susan is a composer and singer. They put their heads together for this unique and amazing project. They have been working on this project for over a year.
Richard McKinney
Born in Granite City, Illinois Rich was influenced by gospel church music. Church music proved to be ever present throughout his life. He sang duets with his sister for church services and other events. He played and they both sang. Rich aimed his entire life at music, always with the purpose of making people happy. He is aware that he was given a gift, and feels that must be repaid.
After high school Rich attended Simpson College. He was drafted just as he was hoping to complete his undergraduate degree. He served in the U.S. Army for two years. He returned from Vietnam with two bronze stars, one for valor and one for service. He returned to Simpson to complete his degree and then taught in Iowa public school for about 15 years.
He did his graduate work and Northeast Missouri State University, (now Truman State). After earning his degree he joined the faculty for two years. From there he spent 17 years in Hawaii, teaching college classes for several community colleges. He was also Director of Music First United Methodist Church of Honolulu for a decade. He served as music critic for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for six seasons of symphony and opera.
He returned to Kirksville in 2003. He became the director of Kirksville Community Chorus from 2004 -2014. He has been writing cello/piano arrangements to play with cellist Elaine Boda. Projects too great in number to list have also been a part of Rich’s life. He is currently retired and enjoys life as usual.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Rich%20McKinney
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQgjaKtDMGvK4Md-8tnHLg
Just Us
Just Us is a really fun and great group of humans who sing and play instruments for the pure joy of it all. They exist to bring joy and connection to everyone no matter who they are or where they come from. This group has a long history of performing all over LA. I have only recently joined them in 2021 and it has been such a joy to get to know them and to perform this great music together.
As a classical soprano, I’ve had to kind of “get off my high horse” so to speak in order to let go and just have fun. It was well worth putting my ego in check to realize that the connection music makes is where the magic happens - not in the type of repertoire or accompaniment. Of course, I’ll always love singing with orchestra. Singing Dvorak’s Te Deum soprano solos with symphony and chorus was a huge highlight of my career. I do think I made connections with people on a deep level. And, the connection is just as deep when we sing “Time after Time” and watch people in the audience sing along with us to their own loved ones.
Once, at a nursing home, after a concert, one of the ladies that sang along with us stayed around to chat afterwards. She wanted to tell me she sang a particular song with her dad when she was little. So we sat there and sang it together - we both had tears in our eyes thinking of that sweet time and how much time has passed since then. What a beautiful connection.
So, yes, this group performs at nursing homes, social clubs, performance venues like The Rose, community festivals like the upcoming Altadena Arts Festival in Charles White Park (October 23, 2021) and The Canyons to open for great groups like Big Bad Voodoo Daddies like we are doing September 17, 2021 at 7:00 pm in Santa Clarita. I’ll add our gigs to the calendar and give you links to buy tickets! I hope you can come out to see us soon! I promise, you’ll have fun!!
Cuddle Concerts
I met Annemarie Guzy through her husband, Alastair Edmonstone, who is a great pianist working at Cal State San Bernardino. Annemarie had worked previously with a professional symphony orchestra and had managed/created these wonderful Cuddle Concerts made especially for a very underserved population: children age 6 months to 3 years old. She contacted professional musicians in the area and created fun and interactive concerts to be given live in Riverside, CA. She contacted me to be the host and MC for the kiddos. We did the first couple of concerts there and then along came COVID and we were cancelled - like everyone else. We did one online concert “All About Bears” and were were working on our first live concert back in downtown Riverside (“Bugs”) when the most recent surge closed us down again. I’m sure we’ll be back again soon. I’ll let you know.
"Susan brings an energetic, warm, and thoughtful musical perspective to each performance. Not only is she a fine musician, but she is also a joy to work and collaborate with.” ~Annemarie Guzy, Cuddle Concerts Artistic Director and Creator and Riverside Unified School District Arts Specialist
Please enjoy these photos from our past concerts.
The Power of Singing Podcast/Channel
Podcast
THE GROUP is exploring and re-imagining new inclusive platforms for people of all ages, from all cultural backgrounds, from many different musical levels of expertise, in all genres to share their music. We will also share our own music and thoughts on the power of this generous act on the world. Watch this space for what emerges.
Heather Fetrow
Heather’s mission is to celebrate the musical contributions of women.
Susan's Introduction
I'm so happy to introduce you to this amazing soprano and fellow human! I met Heather at a summer program for opera singers in Los Angeles. Heather stood out as a woman on a mission to find meaning in her career and singing. Over the few years after that summer Heather found her calling: to promote women composers. Once she found her mission, Heather went to work crowdfunding for a CD and getting the word out. Heather and her collaborators have made amazing strides in getting beautiful recordings of previously unheard works into the world. Brava Heather!
Heather promotes the musical works of female composers, vocal artists, and role models both past and present.
She does this work through educational musical performances designed to inspire audiences through song and story. Because the artistic work of women has been underrepresented throughout history, her work intentionally places the work of women as the focal point of music history to frame this problem with a lens of exposure. She makes clear comparisons of their work to that of more traditionally well-known male composers and musical works. This creates the effect of highlighting the contrast of the feminine perspective and women’s vast contributions to the musical arts. Heather’s work is designed to prove that the quality of their work rivals that of their male counterparts, often even surpassing it.
Interview With Heather
I sing because...
I sing because singing is embedded deep within who I am and how I relate to the world around me. Through my singing, I express things for which words are not enough. Singing also allows me to learn more about the greater human experience, and gain a deeper understanding of music and poetry and the potential relationships between the two. Singing has brought me such incredible life experiences, including meeting my husband who is also a singer and sharing musical moments of joy with family and friends growing up and still today. Singing binds me in community to others and offers me a way to "give back" all that I have been gifted with from the generations of artists and musicians who came before me.
I pay my bills by...
I pay my bills by singing in many church and professional choirs, as a soloist with local and sometimes regional orchestras, for opera chorus in productions of the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, and in my recital series "Voices of Women: From Unknown to Renowned" which has premiered in five states along the east coast. Recently I got paid to demonstrate Baroque ornamentation for a virtual masterclass at Westchester University with legendary soprano Dr. Julianne Baird. I also have a mid-sized private voice studio and teach choral music part time at an all-girls private school, where I serve as musical director of the winter musical. I currently maintain a Patreon page with six patrons that support my efforts by giving monthly towards my recital series, blog and creating new content for my website and social media platforms.
I also love to...
I also love to write music, dance, read, travel, visit museums and spend time with family and friends. I enjoy writing about women composers whose music I have discovered recently and fundraising, lately for my own projects when I have a need or an idea for a fresh direction with my singing. I especially enjoy collaboration, learning, and teaching others. I suspect I'm the type who learns by teaching. I love opera, musical theater, and the "in-between" areas and feel fortunate that my voice lends itself to many genres of music thanks to a great technical foundation and dedicated mentors. On days off since the pandemic hit, I unwind by catching up on Masterpiece Theater episodes or going for a drive or a long walk while listening to a Playlist of some kind. My husband and I love playing word games. I love visual artwork and sketching and color for fun or stress relief.
Patricia Caicedo
Decolonizing the curriculum of classical singers by promoting Latin American and Iberian music.
Susan's Introduction
An amazing person who is doing this important work. Patricia is a beautiful soprano and musicologist who is the founding director of the Barcelona Festival of Song. She is also president of Mundoarts and on the executive board of the International Music Council. For most of my life, only the music of dead, white, European men has been promoted and studied in universities. It is only in the past few decades that music from other cultures and genders have had any attention. There is a vast amount of work to do to get this music out into the world. I love her singing and I am learning about and falling in love with the music she is promoting. I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for doing this crucial and uplifting work. Please get involved in any way that speaks to you!
Decolonizing the curriculum of classical singers by promoting Latin American and Iberian music.
Recognized as the voice of the Iberian and Latin American art song and often described as its ambassador, the soprano and musicologist Patricia Caicedo is one of the leading interpreters and researchers of this repertoire.
She is an avid performer of these works, having performed all over the world in addition to founding and directing the Barcelona Festival of Song, which focuses on the performance and study of Latin American and Iberian art song.
Patricia is a true artist-scholar who combines research and performance, enriching each other. She has recorded ten CDs dedicated to the art song repertoire in Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages. Most of her recordings include works recorded for the first time or works composed for her to premiere. Two of her CDs are exclusively dedicated to the music of women composers.
In 2020 she returned to composition, which she did when she was a teenager, and sung folk music. Her compositions are in a crossover Latin American and Spanish style, combining elements of the region's various folk and popular musics. With this new repertoire, Patricia integrates her life's many musical influences, navigating between the worlds of art and folk song.