Kate Taylor
Singer/Vocal Coach/Event Coordinator
Kate Taylor is a well-known voice in Christchurch, performing regularly around the city at various venues, corporate events and festivals. She is the vocal programme leader at Ara Music Arts, and has worked behind the scenes for The Cavell Leitch New Zealand Jazz and Blues Festival and World Buskers Festival.Kates current musical projects focus on her own independent 12 Pianists Project, and fronting and co-running the All Girl Big Band.
Kate Taylor
Singer/Vocal Coach/Event Coordinator
Kate has sung almost every style and genre of music there is. Her passion for jazz was fuelled at Ara Music Arts completing a Diploma in Jazz and Bachelor of Music (Canterbury University). During this time Kate had the pleasure of singing backing vocals for local talent LA Mitchell, a highlight of which was being the opening act for international sensation Stevie Wonder.
Another highlight of Kate’s career was her sell out show at the International Jazz and Blues festival in Christchurch in 2010 where she performed the perfected big band works of her Grandfather Doug Kelly. In 2015 Kate revived Doug’s work alongside the Garden City Big band celebrating the music of both her Granddad, and esteemed jazz pianist Doug Caldwell.
Continuing her Big Band legacy Kate is the proud co-founder and leader of New Zealand’s first All Girl Big Band. Kates talent in this field has given her the honour of performing alongside Australian music maestro James Morrison, and New Zealand singer songwriter Bic Runga.
Kate’s musical talents took her to Sydney where she completed a year at NIDA, a most prestigious music/theatre school in Australia. Here she worked with Tyran Parke and Robert Bertram, two well renowned stage and theatre performers. Kate’s theatre credits include Showbiz Christchurch, The Court Theatre, Variety Theatre Ashburton and independent theatre company ‘Magnitude’ where she has performed in a variety of lead roles and ensembles.
Kate released her debut CD ‘Kate Taylor live’ with Orange studios in 2013. She is currently working on the ‘12 pianists project’, a live music, film and CD recording project.
Having the passion for jazz, the courage of musical theatre and the power of opera have influenced Kate’s growth as a performer. She has been vocal coaching for over 10years, as well as directing award winning choirs, and taking her own personalized vocal performance workshops.
In May of 2016 Kate had the honour of organising and performing in the Ara Music arts 25th anniversary celebration held at the Theatre Royal as a part of the Cavell Leitch Jazz and Blues festival. She also sold out her own headline act celebrating the music of Stevie Wonder at the transitional Cathedral.
Kate will be headlining the Jazz Cabaret 2020 season with a show performing the works of Adele.Kate currently works as the vocal program leader for Jazz and contemporary music at Ara Music Arts. She is so pleased to be a part of such a brilliant establishment, where she found her own voice many years ago.