May 25, 2023
Katie Clarke
Katie Clarke
Katie started playing the piano at the age of six,
beginning her musical studies in Norfolk, England and later at the International Purcell School of Music in London. Whilst still in her teens she formed a two piano partnership with Christopher Hopkins, performing frequently throughout the UK. During her school years Katie performed frequently as a pianist, accompanist, clarinetist and singer across the UK and Europe.
Katie subsequently studied music at Bristol University and went on to acquire a Masters in Performance from York University. As a student, she performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C minor with the Mozart players in Norwich and the Weber Konzertstück with the Bristol University Chamber Orchestra. As well as performing frequently as a soloist, Katie accompanied musicians and singers, sang in the chamber choirs, choral societies and Madrigal ensemble and played in the University orchestras and ensembles both as a pianist and as a clarinetist. She played for the Opera society on both harpsichord and piano and won the accompanist award in her first year. Katie also toured extensively in the UK and Europe with both the Chamber choir and Orchestra.
After graduating in 2007, Katie worked for two years as a pianist at Norwich Theatre Royal on the Breckland Schools Project, working with young children and helping them produce their own interpretation of an opera that was then performed at the Theatre Royal, with piano accompaniment by Katie.
In 2008 Katie worked as the rehearsal pianist for the annual Norwich Pantomime and from 2009 as the Musical Director for the Norfolk Youth Music Theatre. The latter’s performance of The Secret Garden won the National Operatic and Dramatic Association award for ‘Best Musical Production in the Eastern District.’ Whilst in Norwich Katie also continued to perform as a soloist, giving regular recitals and performances.
In 2009 Katie moved to London and continued to teach and perform both as a soloist and as a musical director. Whilst there she also worked at the national radio station Classic FM, as an assistant to the Executive Producer. In 2011 she released her first solo classical CD ‘Noted’ with works by Haydn, Schumann, Liszt, Ravel, Sinding and Debussy.
In 2012 Katie began working with several composers and producers to create a piano cabaret act that combines her talents as both a virtuoso pianist and vibrant personality with a band of versatile musicians in order to create a unique and exciting cabaret show.
Katie has performed her piano cabaret act on all over the world on cruise lines including Celebrity, Holland America, Azamara, Oceania, Cunard, Princess, Seabourn and Crystal, as well as shows in England and Los Angeles.
Katie moved to Los Angeles in January 2014 and has since worked alongside many musicians as a soloist, cabaret entertainer, accompanist and Musical Director. She has worked with Broadway Singer Jay Winnick in an outreach community musical programme in schools across LA, as well as Musically Directing at venues including the NOHO Art’s Centre and Secret Rose
Theatre in original and recognisable productions. She has also collaborated in performance with both singers and instrumentalists from the LA Opera and television and Broadway.
Her latest venture blends classical piano with other genres such as pop, funk, rock and EDM working alongside music producer Sean Carney.