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Interview With Catrin R. Davies - NAFOW Toronto 2013
Catrin R. Davies will be performing at this year's North American Festival of Wales . Catrin is a former winner of the David Morris Memorial Award, the Solo Voice/Semi-professional competition at the annual NAFOW Eisteddfod. She went on to win first prize in the Mezzo-soprano category at the National in the Vale of Glamorgan last year. She will be performing at the Grand Banquet on Friday evening.
AmeriCymru: Hi Catrin and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed on AC. When did you first become aware of your vocal talents and how did you go about developing them?
Catrin: According to my mother, I stood up in church and sang Away in a Manger at age 2, performing my little heart out and with perfect pitch! While I certainly dont remember that, I also cant remember a time when I didnt sing. I developed my musicality and musicianship in choirs and musicals at school and church, and started taking voice lessons at age sixteen. However, it was when I was working towards a Masters in Womens Studies that I found a voice teacher who heard my potential and challenged me to excel. After I graduated from that program, I decided that it was time to give singing my complete focus. I went on to get an Advanced Diploma in Voice Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory. But as artists, we are always developing! I still take lessons with an extraordinary teacher, Dr. John Van Cura, and work with many fine coaches.
AmeriCymru: From your online bio we learn that you specialise in Welsh repertoire. What, for you, is the main attraction of the Welsh vocal tradition?
Catrin: The initial attraction was the fact that my entire family is Welsh. And therefore they sing! Most of them are amateurs, but my great-aunt was one of the first mezzos to sing with the Welsh National Opera. However, once I began to explore the repertoire, I came to appreciate its haunting melodies and sense of drama.
AmeriCymru: You are no stranger to the NAFOW event. Can you tell us a little about your history at the NAFOW Eisteddfod?
Catrin: Ive been attending eisteddfodau since I was a little girl. When I returned to the US after living abroad for several years, I decided to compete at the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu in Harrisburg in 2002. Although I won, the David Morris Prize did not exist at that point. The following year saw the birth NAFOW and with it, the David Morris Prize for the winner of the eisteddfod. I first won the David Morris Prize in Buffalo, and won it again in Cleveland. Both times, I was thrilled to win that award, which allowed me to travel to compete at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. I would encourage all singers to throw their hats into the ring for the opportunity to win this exceedingly generous prize.
AmeriCymru: You have been a competitor at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Care to share your experience of the event?
Catrin: Competing at the National Eisteddfod this past summer was such an honour, and so enjoyable. While I was growing up, I spent a lot of summers on muddy, tented, arts-filled fields, attending the National. Winning the mezzo-soprano competition, while representing the North American Welsh community, was very meaningful. And it was wonderful to have the support of my Welsh family on the Maes! I felt very blessed.
AmeriCymru: You are also in demand as an actress. What has been your favorite theatrical role to date?
Catrin: While I do perform straight theatre, it is necessary to act every time one sets foot on a stage. So whether I am in a recital, an opera, a musical, or a play, I am acting my socks off! But I think my favourite recent role was Maria in The Sound of Music . Not only do I adore the show, but my first role in a musical (at age 7) was Gretl, the youngest of the Von Trapps. It was great fun to re-visit the musical in a very different capacity.
AmeriCymru: What musical and/or theatrical projects are you currently working on?
Catrin: It has been a very busy spring for me, which included making my solo debut with the Lyric Opera Baltimore. Right now, I am rehearsing for Carmen with Baltimore Concert Opera, and for an orchestra concert of Civil War music entitled An American Salute: Music of our Nation . Of course, this is in addition to teaching, directing, working at the Peabody Conservatory.and selling real estate. Ah, the life of an artist!
AmeriCymru: What's next for Catrin Rowenna Davies?
AmeriCymru: What's next for Catrin Rowenna Davies?
Catrin: Next fall, I will continue to be on the roster for Lyric Opera Baltimore, Baltimore Concert Opera, and Washington Concert Opera. I am also excited to sing John Coriglianos Fern Hill , a piece for mezzo-soprano, choir and orchestra. Obviously, the text is from the famous Dylan Thomas poem, so performing it will be particularly appropriate during the centenary of his birth in 2014.
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the organisers and attendees and of the North American Festival of Wales?
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the organisers and attendees and of the North American Festival of Wales?
Catrin: To the organisers it is amazing that a festival of this scope and quality can be put on by volunteers. To the attendees - cant wait to see you there!
