Kate Conklin
Vocalist, Educator & Performance Coach

EDUCATION

MFA in Vocal Performance                                                                2002
California Institute of the Arts
Dumont Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Joseph and Dione Smith Scholarship Recipient
J Irvine Foundation of California Scholarship Recipient
Eugene Hill-Smith Memorial Scholarship Recipient

BFA in Vocal Performance                                                                 2000
California Institute of the Arts
Balinese Kec´ak (Monkey Chant): I Nyomen Wenten
North Indian Hindustani Singing: Dr. Rajeev Taranath
Balkan Music: Miroslav Tadić

Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance Arts                                         2002
Conducting and Pedagogy: Svetla Stanilova
Bulgarian Technique and Repertoire: Svetla Stanilova, Todor Kirov, Anka Kushleva, Tsvetanka Varimezova

 

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE TRAINING

Alexander Training Institute of Los Angeles, 3-year Certification             2009
Study with Eileen Troberman 1998- 2008
Study with Cathy Madden 2013-present

 

SPECIAL AREAS OF STUDY

Alexander Technique, Respiratory Re-education, Functional Anatomy, Physiology, Neurobiology of Behavior, Stress Responses, Performance Excellence, Philosophy, Anthropology, Writing

 

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

Daniel Ariely Udemy Course 2017

Capra Course 2016 & 2017

XVI Annual PVSF/UCLA Voice Conference                                             2007

OperaWorks                                                                                        2003

Eastern European Folklife Center Balkan Music and Dance Workshops    2001

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Voice and Vision’s Envision Retreat for New Works        2007
Bard College, NY

Fulbright Scholarship to Bulgaria                             2002
Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance Arts

LifeWorks Foundation Research Grant for Early American Folk Music     2004
Nashville, TN

 

TEACHING

2018
The Kate Conklin Course for Professional Singers
A revolutionary online course designed to help extraordinary performers increase quality and satisfaction in their performing and creative lives.

Voice & Alexander Technique, Private Studio, Los Angeles CA 2009- present
Students include members of the LA Philharmonic, LA Master Chorale and Cirque du Soleil.

BodyChance, Director of Education 2013

California Institute of the Arts   2006-2010
Bulgarian Vocal Ensembles, Founder and Director
Major and non-major Voice lessons, graduate and undergraduates in School of Music and School of Theater

Private Voice & Alexander Lessons and Consulting, Bay Area CA 2012-13

Private Voice & Alexander Lessons and consulting, Las Vegas NV 2009-14

Private Voice Lessons and Vocal Intensives, Nashville, TN 2003-04

 

Summer and Winter Programs

2014
OperaWorks Emerging Artist Program Two- week Intensive
Alexander Technique, Movement Consulting and Physical Characterization

2013
OperaWorks Winter Intensive
Alexander Technique, Movement Consulting and Physical Characterization

OperaWorks Advanced Artist Program
Alexander Technique, Movement Consulting and Physical Characterization

2012
OperaWorks Advanced Artist Program
Alexander Technique, Movement Consulting and Physical Characterization
Intro to Bellydancing
2011
US Performing Arts at UCLA: Theater Conservatory
Alexander Technique and Animal Movement for Actors

2001- 2010
California State Summer School for the Arts
Voice Faculty – Individual Lessons
Bulgarian Vocal Ensemble
Alexander Technique for Singers
Alexander Technique for Musicians
Introduction to Bellydance Workshop

2009
Academy of Creative Education at The Oakwood School
Voice Lessons

2002-03
Community Arts Project
Group Balkan singing classes for ages 8-18, solo and choral repertoire.

2001-03
California Institute of the Arts, Teaching Assistant
Voice lessons for non-majors
Research and teaching assistant, Solo Vocal Literature
Teaching assistant, Musicianship Skills and Ear Training

Guest Lectures, Residencies and Masterclasses

2016
Alexander Technique for Performers: Two- week Intensive at CalArts

Guest Lecture and Masterclass, Santa Monica College
Voice and music majors

Guest Lecture and Masterclass CalArts, Vicki Ray, Piano Coordinator
Alexander Technique and performing for piano majors

UC Redlands Creative Writing Two-day Intensive Voice and Movement Workshop: Experimental and practical applications of voice and movement. Human design and functioning, constructive thinking, sensory feedback, relevant neuroscience, resonance, acoustics communication and ensemble work.

Alexander Technique for Performers: Two- week Intensive at CalArts

“Voice and Alexander Technique for Voice Professionals” SAG/AFTRA

“Responding to Desire” TedX Talk and Performance, The Broad Stage
TedX Fulbright, Santa Monica CA

Artist, Composer, and Performance Coach Talk with Danny Holt and Ulrich Kreiger
Boston Court, Pasadena CA

Voice and Alexander Technique, Marlborough School, Los Angeles

Guest Artist with Vinny Golia, CalArts

2014
Selah Gospel Choir, Voice + Alexander Technique

Guest Artist: Composer/ Performer Forum, CalArts

2013
Career Designs in Music with Vinny Golia, CalArts

Pomona College: Voice + Alexander Technique, School of Dance

Pomona College: Alexander + Mime with Benedikt Negro, School of Art

Pomona College: Alexander + Performance, School of Art

Academy of Creative Education at Oakwood School: Guest Artist + Lecturer

California Institute of the Arts Piano Colloquium: Graduate and undergraduate pianists

2012
Artist in Residence at Marlborough School, Los Angeles

LA Music Academy: Voice + Alexander Technique

Pomona College School of Art: Visiting Artist Arts Seminar

Pomona College School of Dance: Visiting Teaching Artist Voice + Alexander Technique

San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Alexander Technique for Woodwinds

San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Alexander Technique for Oboe

University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Voice Department, Masterclass for Graduate and DMA candidates

2011
LA Music Academy: Voice + Alexander Technique

Pomona College, School of Music: Bulgarian Vocal Music

Pomona College: Voice + Alexander Technique

Pomona College: Stress, Alexander Technique and Bulgarian Singing

UCLA: Graduate Acting program

UCLA: Undergraduate Musicians

2010
Alexander Technique for Pianists: Workshop, CalArts Piano Colloquium

Alexander Technique for Performers ARC Pasadena, CA

2009
“Voice, Alexander Technique and the Stress Response” CalArts Voice Forum
LA Music Academy: Two-part Workshop and Presentation on the Vocal Music of Bulgaria

2003
Oakwood Secondary School
Bulgarian Vocal Ensemble

California Institute of the Arts
Artist in Residence; CalArts Bulgarian Choir

Guitar Master class with Miroslav Tadic, guest vocalist
Loyola Marymount University

Visiting Artist
California Institute of the Arts, Voice Forum

2002
“An Amerikanka in Plovdiv: Bulgarian Folklore and Choral Pedagogy ”
5th Bulgarian Fulbright Conference “Knowledge, Power and Freedom in a Changing World”
Sponsored by the Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange

 

Workshops

2017
Essential Performer Annual Workshops 2014- present
Science of Movement, Respiration: Natural and Extraordinary, Science of Singing,
Performance Readiness

Filmed Extraordinary Artist Workshop  at ARC Pasadena, CA

2016
Applying Alexander Technique to Voice Online Webinar

2015
Bulgarian Singing Workshop, Burbank CA
Group repertoire, vocal production and ornamentation.

2014
Alexander Technique for Singers

Aerials and Alexander Technique for Singers

Alexander Technique for Aerialists & Acrobats

Bulgarian Singing Workshop, ARC Pasadena

2013
Cirque-a-palooza at Pasadena Playhouse: Alexander Technique for Circus Arts

Pantomime + Alexander Technique with Benedikt Negro, Las Vegas NV

2013
Alexander Technique for Aerialists

Alexander Technique and Aerial for Singers

Yodels of the World at Machine Project 2013

Pantomime and Alexander Technique with Benedikt Negro at Machine Project 2013

Bulgarian Singing Workshop at Machine Project

SlapCon 2013: Alexander Technique for Slapstick

2012
SlapCon 2012: Alexander Technique for Slapstick

Bulgarian Singing Workshop @ Machine Project

Private Men’s Bulgarian Vocal Ensemble with integration of The Alexander Technique

CSSSA: Guest Performance and Workshop

Alexander Technique + Movement with Benedikt Negro, ARC Pasadena

Bulgarian Singing Workshop, ARC Pasadena

Alexander Technique for Professional Musicians, ARC Pasadena

Voice + Alexander Technique for Vocal Professionals, ARC Pasadena
ARC Pasadena

2011
Stress, Performance + The Alexander Technique, ARC Pasadena

Voice for All: Approaching Voice work through Alexander Technique, ARC Pasadena

1230 Clown Show, Las Vegas

Aerial Workshop at Le Studio, Culver City

2006
Visiting Artist,  Lecture/ Performance LA City College

2005
Cirque du Soleil Workshop: Screaming on the Boat: An Aerialists Guide to Ululation and Exclamation

Visiting Artist,  Lecture/ Performance CalArts

2002
Visiting Artist, Lecture/ Demo CSU Fullerton
Bulgarian Folk Music: Musical Development and Vocal Techniques in Solo and Choral Repertoire

Visiting Artist,  Lecture/ Demo CSU San Marcos
Bulgarian Folk Music: Musical Development and Vocal Techniques in Solo and Choral Repertoire

 

Corporate Engagements

Pinterest Workshop: Alexander Technique for Startups/ Fast Growth 2012

Mahalo Workshop: Alexander Technique for Startups / Innovation and Sustainability 2011

 

PERFORMANCE

2017
Bulgarian Song, Duo Concert with Bryan Landers
Encinitas CA

2014
1230 SHOW, Las Vegas

2013
Bulgarian Concert with Bryan Landers and Ivan Johnson, Los Angeles

Cirque-a-palooza: Benedikt Negro solo show

Duo Show with Miroslav Tadic´, Los Angeles

Duo show with Jodie Landau, Machine Project

Chamber Music Concert with 4 Hands LA, Danny Holt and Steven Vanhauwaert

Bulgarian Concert with Bryan Landers and Ivan Johnson, Academy of Creative Educations

2011
Recreational Science (Excerpts)
Premier of excerpts from the one-woman opera in progress written for Kate Conklin by Javier Navarrete at ARC Pasadena

Bosana Foundation Benefit Concert with Miroslav Tadic´

Jodie Landau
Vocal duets and premier of “Continuum” CalArts and Pasadena Library
Annual Fundraiser at ARC Pasadena with John Pennington Dance Group

California State Summer School for the Arts: Guest Performance and Workshop

2010
Kate Conklin All-Star Balkan Orkestra
Surdna Foundation Distinguished Visiting Artist-in-Residence at California State Summer School for the Arts

Bulgarian Vocal Installation at the Hammer Museum

Kate Conklin, Bryan Landers and Chris Votek
Balkan trio concert at the Pasadena Library, Creative Music Series

Milen Kirov: Duets, California State University Northridge
Works composed and performed by pianist Milen Kirov with guests Kate Conklin, Bryon Holley and Miroslav Tadic´

Madam Damnable’s Midnight Speakeasy, A Burlesque
Director and Choreographer

2006 – 2010
Annual Bulgarian Vocal Concerts: CalArts Bulgarian Vocal Ensembles

2009
Concert of Macedonian, Serbian and Greek Music: Kate Conklin & Miroslav Tadic´, CalArts

OperaWorks Holiday Concert

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels: Cathedral Choir with Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and featuring Mari Moriya, Jonathan Mack and Michael Gallup

Machine Project Benefit at Mister Jalopy’s Secret Lair

2008
Elve’s Fair, Pasadena Montessori Fundraising Concert
CalArts Bugarian Vocal Ensembles

A Machine Project Field Guide to the LA County Museum of Art
With banjoist Bryan Landers

Performances for CSSSA with Bryan Landers; Milen Kirov and Bryon Holley

OperaWorks Holiday Concert
with members of the CalArts Bulgarian Vocal Ensemble

ACF-LA American Composers Forum Salon
Presentation/Performance: “Balkan Singing Styles in Film and New Music; Idiomatic Improvisation and Re-contextualization”

2007
All Over the Map
LA City College with Bryan Landers, Jim Sullivan, TJ Troy and Brad Dutz

Elve’s Fair, Pasadena Montessori Fundraising Concert
CalArts Bugarian Vocal Ensembles

2006
Gardens Compani Javedani, Danspace at St Mark’s NYC

Orpheus Crawling NOW Festival, REDCAT Theater

Project Accidental
Eagle Rock Performing Arts Center with Bryan Landers, Jim Sullivan, TJ Troy and Brad Dutz

2004 – 2006
“O” Vocalist for Cirque du Soleil’s resident water show at Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

2005
Solo Voice Recital
Music of Berg, Handel and Rachmaninov with pianist Neema Pazargad

2003
The Fisher King
Concert premier of the opera by Marc Lowenstein, role of Anne

2002
CEAIT Festival: Girlfriend
Sahar Javedani, solo dance and choreography, Ben Wynn, composer.

Ivan Spassov Academic National Folk Ensemble Choral Concert Series
Plovdiv Academy of Music Dance and Fine Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

“Kali” Opera by Jarrad Powell and Tony Prabowo at the Festival of Sacred Music, premier.
Excerpts, role of Kunti.

Daleko: Music from Far Away with Bryan Landers and John Bergamo

2001
Macedonian Folk Music Duo Concert
Miroslav Tadic´, guitar

“Aga Ti Rojne Plitkine…”
Solo Balkan Vocal Recital

Solo Voice Recital
Music of Berio, Brahms, Crumb, Schubert and Schumann

“Statement” by Mark Trayle, premier

Creative Music Festival
Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith, organizer

2000
Music Of Java and Bali: I Nyomen Wenten; Balinese Kec’ak Ensemble.
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA

Long Beach Opera Volo di Notte Luigi Dallapiccola
Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach, California
Andreas Mitisek, conductor; Julian Webber, director

Nathan Hubbard Solo Recital, San Diego State University

1999
Return To One;  Promises CD release concert
101 Artists Colony Encinitas, CA

Solo Voice Recital
Music of Cage, De falla, Ives and Obradors

1996-98
FIASCO, Various Concerts
An Eastern-European punk ska ensemble with Kate Conklin, vocals; Dan Cantrell, accordion; Nathan Hubbard, drums and glockenspiel; Jesse Hix, basses

Plexus Jazz Ensemble, Various Concerts
Nathan Hubbard, vibraphone and percussion; Jesse Hix, bass; Dave Golia, drums; Kate Conklin, vocals

Solo Vocal Recital
Palomar College, Carlsbad CA

 

RECORDINGS

Damian Dragichi “Oneness” Dharma Moon Records   2004
Featuring Vinnie Coliauta, Abraham Laboriel Sr. and Miroslav Tadić.

Deru “Trying to Remember”, Merck Records      2004

Deru “Pushing Air” Neo Ouija Records 2003

FILM AND TELEVISION
Avatar: The Last Airbender 2008
Finale, Nickelodeon

Californication               2007
“Habanera” from Carmen, Showtime Productions

Toward Darkness         2007
Opening titles and additional scenes. Starring America Ferrera and Tony Plana, Negret films

PUBLICATIONS

Peer-reviewed
“Engaging the Expert Performer: Affinity as Pathway” 2017
Galvanizing Performance: The Alexander Technique as a Catalyst for Excellence
Kathleen Juhl and Cathy Madden, Editors
Publisher: Singing Dragon

INTERVIEWS

Fulbright Newsletter, Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange

Issue Magazine, Sound Affect: A Conversation with Kate Conklin

Sound Affect: A Conversation with Kate Conklin

A partial list of activities I have analyzed and worked with in relation to coordination and The Alexander Technique includes:

Athletics:
Boxing, Running/Jogging, Diving, High-diving, Golf, Horse-riding, Martial Arts Roller Derby, Surfing, Skateboarding, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Yoga (Practice and Instruction)

Corporations:
Start-ups (high growth)

Performing Arts:
Acting Directing Dance (Tap, Ballet, Flamenco, Tango, Contemporary) Improvisation, Movement, Public Speaking, Teaching, Recording, Singing, Stunts, Voice- Over and ADR (Automated dialogue replacement)

Circus Arts:
Acrobatics, Aerials (Cerceaux/ Hoop, Rope Trapeze), Clown, Contortion, Cyr Wheel, Hand-Balance, Juggling, Slapstick/ Physical Storytelling, Mime Corporeal, Pantomime

Music:
Conducting, Singing (Opera, Classical, Baroque/ Early Music, Musical Theater, Balkan, North Indian, South Indian, Americana, Country, Folk, Extended techniques) Percussion (Cajon, Drumset, Frame drum, Marimba, Vibraphone, Tabla, Timpani), Strings (Bass, Cello, Guitar, Mandolin, Viola, Violin) Winds ( Bassoon, Clarinets, English Horn, Euphonium, French Horn, Flutes, Oboe, Saxophones, Trombone, Trumpets, Tuba)