Catherine Marie Charlton, pianist, composer, improviser

So in October J. Jody Janetta and I recorded some piano/percussion duo work, and this week I traveled to Eric Troyer's studio in NJ for editing and mixing of several tracks. I'm very excited, as I think I will be releasing some of this music soon - a long time coming as I've been wanting to put out some music with Jody since we were playing out together all the time in 2005-2009 or so... so excited we have reunited and looking forward to making more music with him in the upcoming year! This fall I've been reaching out and connecting with many musical friends, both online and in person. It's been a real treat to connect with lovely creative people- keeps me sane especially on days I'm mired in little kiddo and household chore world! Last night was a lovely gathering of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. Here's a pic of me with the beautifully talented Vassy- perhaps you've danced to her music?

JOIN THE DISCUSSION!

I'm getting really excited about my family's trip to Oregon later this week. I'll be performing three concerts, in Portland, Florence, and Eugene. Yesterday I had a concert run-through for about 10 close family and friends, including a couple of former students (now college students) in my home studio. It went really well and I realized how long it's been since I performed a full concert! I was particularly pleased with my improvisations based on descriptive words and phrases submitted by audience members- I've done that a bunch with my piano/percussion duo, but haven't done it as a soloist very often. I was so happy that it went really well from both my perspective and the audience's.

Today I played 4 of my concert selections at my church- and I was particularly emotionally invested in the music- the sermon was about "dissovling into God", a phrase I think really describes the state I strive for when creating improvisations. I was particularly moved by the speaker's description of the "liquid line between ego and soul"- and somehow just thinking about that liquid line helped me tap into a deeper performance. It's too easy to forget that and be thinking about just the notes (at least when i'm playing other people's music).

Now to wrap up last minute logistics and figure out HOW in the world we will get two little kids, two car seats, a stroller and luggage navigated from car to check-in, to rental car, etc. Looking into options for car seats and strollers on the other end... wish us luck!