Excerpt “I ask musicians to get out of their own way by flowing and communicating intention through movement rather than words. Why? Because words slow us down and a gesture is worth a thousand words. Instead of a still body with racing thoughts, I aim for a body subtly in motion with fewer thoughts rattling around… Using various sports analogies to explore preparation, release, and follow through, I have developed a series of active visualization exercises that are designed to develop the sense of kinesthesia, release unnecessary tensions, expand the breath, and help singers become more fully present as performers.”
Cristi Catt has spent over 20 years working with singers and instrumentalists, helping them rewire habits through movement in private lessons, classes, and workshops crossing a wide variety of musical styles from pop to jazz, classical to musical comedy, folk to early music. She has also worked with singer songwriters, composers, music teachers, choral directors and actors. She has travelled extensively throughout the US, Europe, the Baltics, Russia and South America as a performer and teacher. She is a founding member of the internationally renowned ensemble Tapestry and more recently a performer with Telltale Crossing. The L.A.Times writes “the stunning solo excursions by Cristi Catt were as radiant and exciting as any singing I’ve heard all season” She is a certified yoga instructor and teaches Body Mechanics for Singes at New England Conservatory and Movement for Musicians at the Berklee College of Music. She works privately with a diverse range of singers at New England Conservatory, Merrimack College and in her private studio. She presents workshops nationally and internationally. Visit www.cristicatt.com to learn more.
“An incredible teacher, skilled at drawing students out of themselves in a supportive way, encouraging them to explore sound, breath, and movement as they develop their musical selves.” Dr. Eden MacAdam-Somer, Assistant Chair, Department of Contemporary Improvisation, New England Conservatory
“Her approach was a completely new world for leaders of Riga vocal ensembles, choral conductors, voice teachers, and singers.” Antra Drege, Director of Latvian Vocal Ensemble Putni
“Having seen her methods in action, in teaching and on stage, I eagerly look forward to learning from her insights.” Rebecca Shrimpton, Assistant Professor, Voice, Berklee College of Music
“Without hesitation, she had us working through comprehensive and effective exercises to open our minds, relax our bodies and free our voices. By the end of the first lesson we were improvising 3-part-harmony chorales and singing with voices we never knew we had.” Charles Clements, George Clements, Patrick M’Gonigle of Lonely Heartstring Band, Rounder Records
Robert Christo, architect, provides illustrations for the book. Catt worked closely with Robert to create a visual language to transmit physical ideas to the page. Robert proved to be a perfect collaborator for this project. He has been able to transfer his knowledge of architectural structure to the human form and he possesses a heightened sense of kinesthesia from his years growing up as a hockey player, his love of pickup basketball and his general athleticism and physical curiosity. His combination of physical and structural understanding is a perfect fit for this project. The images are designed to give you a basic understanding of the singer’s anatomy and alignment and to demonstrate specific exercises and ideas. To learn more about his work as an architect visit: Robert Christo.
Cristi Catt has spent over 20 years working with singers and instrumentalists, helping them rewire habits through movement in private lessons, classes, and workshops crossing a wide variety of musical styles from pop to jazz, classical to musical comedy, folk to early music. She has also worked with singer songwriters, composers, music teachers, choral directors and actors. She has travelled extensively throughout the US, Europe, the Baltics, Russia and South America as a performer and teacher. She is a founding member of the internationally renowned ensemble Tapestry and more recently a performer with Telltale Crossing. The L.A.Times writes “the stunning solo excursions by Cristi Catt were as radiant and exciting as any singing I’ve heard all season” She is a certified yoga instructor and teaches Body Mechanics for Singes at New England Conservatory and Movement for Musicians at the Berklee College of Music. She works privately with a diverse range of singers at New England Conservatory, Merrimack College and in her private studio. She presents workshops nationally and internationally. Visit www.cristicatt.com to learn more.
“An incredible teacher, skilled at drawing students out of themselves in a supportive way, encouraging them to explore sound, breath, and movement as they develop their musical selves.” Dr. Eden MacAdam-Somer, Assistant Chair, Department of Contemporary Improvisation, New England Conservatory
“Her approach was a completely new world for leaders of Riga vocal ensembles, choral conductors, voice teachers, and singers.” Antra Drege, Director of Latvian Vocal Ensemble Putni
“Having seen her methods in action, in teaching and on stage, I eagerly look forward to learning from her insights.” Rebecca Shrimpton, Assistant Professor, Voice, Berklee College of Music
“Without hesitation, she had us working through comprehensive and effective exercises to open our minds, relax our bodies and free our voices. By the end of the first lesson we were improvising 3-part-harmony chorales and singing with voices we never knew we had.” Charles Clements, George Clements, Patrick M’Gonigle of Lonely Heartstring Band, Rounder Records
Robert Christo, architect, provides illustrations for the book. Catt worked closely with Robert to create a visual language to transmit physical ideas to the page. Robert proved to be a perfect collaborator for this project. He has been able to transfer his knowledge of architectural structure to the human form and he possesses a heightened sense of kinesthesia from his years growing up as a hockey player, his love of pickup basketball and his general athleticism and physical curiosity. His combination of physical and structural understanding is a perfect fit for this project. The images are designed to give you a basic understanding of the singer’s anatomy and alignment and to demonstrate specific exercises and ideas. To learn more about his work as an architect visit: Robert Christo.