Da Capo From the Beginning

About the Book

da capo …from the beginning Is a chronology of life lessons learned from the students that have crossed her path and how those experiences changed her perspective both in and out of the classroom. Here, in conversational format, Kate describes her pupils that she encountered while developing herself as a quality performing arts educator. She shares many insightful life lessons learned while engaged as teacher in the public school classroom, the community and at home. These stories, along with the telling of her own personal experiences, assist us in viewing our own experiences generated by our students as potential stepping stones to luminosity on our own evolving journey, whether it be as an educator, student or as an adult. In turn, we become aware of how we too, can build from the lessons learned by the young, the children of our future. …These are not just quotes from the learned, these are priceless accounts of situations that inevitably changed the way she observed her life as a mentor, educator, parent and humanitarian. Hopefully this book will assist you in stepping back from the” teaching at” experience and find the wisdom to embrace the value of looking back…those jewels of wisdom from the mouths of babes…inspirational moments that rise from our students lips and embracing them as tools for success as we move forward in this ever changing world.

About the Author

Receiving her Bachelors in Music Education from Fredonia State University and her Masters in Arts Education from Stony Brook University, Kate is recognized as a performer, recording artist, conductor, director , administrator as well as an educator. A native New Yorker, Kate has designed, composed and presented performances in a variety of venues and for a variety of causes throughout her career. While a student at The Royal School of Church Music in the UK, she had the privilege of singing for Her Majesty the Queen for the 150th celebration ceremony of the YMCA held in Westminster Abbey. Her performances include: Long Island Philharmonic Chorus, Take One Theatre , MZA Records,The International Church Music Festival in Bern, Switzerland, UUA Central Nassau, and the Lily Dale Assembly, to name a few.Collaborative efforts in educational theatrical direction and design include Annie Get Your Gun (with Chris Mc Daniel -Will Rogers Follies) Les Miserables (with Craig Schulmany) The Miracle Worker (Cleary School for the Deaf/Guide Dog Foundation), A Christmas Carol (with Jeff Sanzel- Theatre Three) Peter Pan (ZFX Las Vegas) and Cry Innocent (with Mark Stevick, Gordon College/History Alive!) As a singer/songwriter, Kate has toured and recorded five children’s albums to date for the MZA Label and has performed her children’s concerts at venues all through the east coast including New York and Capital Children’s Museum as well as The Ronald McDonald House. Kate has also had the pleasure throughout her career of working with such notables as Harry Chapin, Peter Perret (BPO) Sir David Willcocks, Paul Leddington Wright, Ted Vigil and an impromptu singing duet with Barry Manilow. Kate has had the pleasure of taking her choirs on tour and competitions throughout the US and abroad and featured as guest conductor at Chautauqua Institute’s All County Festival and Westfield Chamber Music Festival. She was also invited to present a lecture on the performing arts at The NYSSMA All State Convention. Kate was the founding Choral Director of The Smithtown Arts Council Community Choir, Artistic Director, curriculum writer and ITS Advisor for both Newfield and Mt Greylock's High School’s Theatre department, NYSSMA Vocal adjudicator and presently, teaching performing arts coursework at Mt Greylock Regional High School and per diem teaching at The Williams College Children's Center, both in Williamstown, MA. Kate has owned and operated her own vocal studio for the last twenty five years and has seen the success of her educational expertise through many previous private as well as public school students. Kate Caton follows in the footsteps of her grandfather William Cooper; musician and inventor, published songwriter, US Army Band and NJ Regional Orchestra Conductor. She has remarried; has two children; her son, Eric , a choral and dance educator and her daughter, Jessica, a kindergarten teacher and new mother in CT. She, and her husband David, own two Labrador retrievers; one, a Guide dog rescue. She is an avid walker and holistic supporter who believes that physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle balances the body and mind. Kate believes that every day offers us all life lessons, whether it be from students or any of our encounters during the day; we as humans, just have to keep ourselves open to embrace these daily gems of wisdom and work at incorporating them in our daily life's mantra.