Welcome
Coming from California to Portugal via New York City, performing at Carnegie Hall, holding a Principal Flute position for twenty-five years, teaching musicians…throughout it all my goal has always been to bring out the best of what makes us human.
Whether performing and recording on flutes from piccolo to contrabass, traverso and bansuri, teaching, coaching creatives and would-be creatives, to composing, creating multimedia, and blogging—the joy of creativity is the common thread.
An endlessly curious tea-lover, I’m constantly exploring new things, playing every flute I can get my hands on, coaching, composing, writing, and making art and videos. There aren’t enough hours in the day!
“Katharine Rawdon is the true artist.”
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Manifesto - What matters to me
I believe the arts are important—especially in times such as these.
I believe that we can have fun while we’re doing the work
I believe the sky’s the limit in terms of human imagination and creativity.
I believe we tap into an inexhaustible source of creative energy when we give ourselves permission to explore and experiment.
I believe that music’s meanings are open-ended, and that its infinite combinations of rhythm, melody, and harmony have a unique power to transform us and heal the soul.
“In the American flutist Katharine Rawdon we have an incomparable sound, rich and sensual, achieving on the alto flute a rare depth and expressivity, and even on the piccolo achieving the most versatile and malleable exploitation of the instrument”
My story
Growing up in a family of artists, I fell in love with classical music, but have always identified with the individuality and protagonism of writers, visual artists, and the “golden age” singer-songwriters of my youth. With an art-steeped background and a liberal arts education as a foundation, my various passions—the flute, composition, art, languages, writing, psychology, Zen philosophy and aesthetics—have woven together over the years into… a life in art.
Career highlights include:
premiering over a hundred new works
holding a professional orchestral Principal Flute position for 25 years
performing under Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood
studying independently in Europe as a Watson Fellow
teaching generations of talented musicians
concertizing in the US, Europe, and India
being named Powell Artist by the legendary flutemakers V. Q. Powell of Boston
earning certification in Integrated Practice, a method to support health and creativity
seeing my compositions published by Delatour Editions, France.
Muse * Spark is my creativity coaching service— let me help you spark your own creative life.
I live in beautiful Lisbon, Portugal, with my daughter and our quirky, piccolo-loving Weimaraner.
Reviews
“These compositions affirm Katharine Rawdon’s commitment to expressive, boundary-pushing music, inviting performers and listeners alike to experience her unique artistic vision.”
“Katharine Rawdon has found more music in two notes than I ever thought possible—let’s play it!”
“I wish to thank the flute genius Katharine Rawdon, who commissioned my composition “Inside Kampala” and interviewed me about it for the Classic Music Magazine Serenade, by far the most interesting interview that someone has conducted with me. ”
“Katharine Rawdon’s composition “Bansourire” was the most loved piece on my recital! I love your music and thank you for allowing me to play it!
”
“Piping, she dances down
Esplanades of air —
Lords and Ladies of France
Whirl with her there
And I am fallen into wondrous trances
Longing to follow, follow —
”
As seen on
Gallery
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PHOTO CREDITS: Jiyang Chen, Manuel Luís Cochofel, Sarah Kilgallon, and André Roma
ARTWORK and SITE DESIGN: Katharine Rawdon
