About Katie
Dr. Katie Elizabeth Martin currently resides in Missoula MT where she teaches at the University of Montana. Katie earned her Doctorate in Vocal performance at the University of Southern California under the instruction of Elizabeth Hynes. A native of Montana, Katie earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana, Missoula. In 2010, Katie graduated Summa cum Laude with a Master of Music in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music under the instruction of Rod Gilfry and Elizabeth Hynes. She was honored with the Pi Kappa Lambda Master’s Level Award for outstanding achievement in both academics and musicianship upon graduating from the University of Southern California. During her doctoral studies, Katie has specialized in the fields of operatic stage directing, arts leadership, and post-secondary music education.
Katie received an encouragement award at the Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions, and was also a finalist in the 2007 National MTNA competition in Toronto. She received first place in several other regional competitions, including the University of Montana’s Concerto/Aria competition and NATS.
In addition to her role of Drusilla in Monverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, she has been seen as the Countess in the Montana Lyric Opera’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro, Mrs. Coyle in the USC production and West Coast premier of Britten’s Owen Wingrave, Miss Wordsworth in Britten’s Albert Herring, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Fresquita in Carmen, and has covered the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. She has also performed in numerous opera scenes, some of which include the role of Anne Truelove with the Repertory Opera Company of Pomona, Yum Yum in The Mikado, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Concepcion in Ravel‘s L’heure espangnole, Margo in Romberg’s The Desert Song, and Micaëla in Carmen. Katie was a featured soloist with the USC Thornton Wind Ensemble. She has also participated in the Songfest 2010 Professional program in Malibu, CA, where she had the opportunity to work with Graham Johnson, Martin Katz, and Margo Garret among many others.
Katie is passionate about creating a classical vocal arts medium that represents and appeals to modern audiences. She hopes to engage in performing, producing, directing, and teaching opportunities that re-establishes the way operatic performances and vocal concerts are approached in the United States.