Kateryna
"Music is like energy. With your own voice, you open up a whole new world. I'm here to use my experience to support my students on their journey. And most importantly: Everyone can sing!"
Kateryna (Vocal coach and singing teacher) On her father’s advice, she decides to pursue a “Plan B” degree for now—something safe, solid, and that will pay off later. She studies mechanical engineering. No sooner had she successfully completed that degree than she started a second one. Three guesses: Yes! Pop and jazz vocals at the Dnipro Music Academy in Ukraine.
Her father is surprised that she’s actually following through right away on her promise to choose a second major on her own. What began when she was four—her love of singing—turned out to be something lasting after all, and is now reaching its preliminary culmination in her training.
But how does a four-year-old girl come up with the idea of wanting to become a singer? Her family is always singing—at least at every birthday and celebration. That touched Kateryna deeply and nurtured the idea within her.
Her mother teaches piano at a middle school. With her mother's support, she sings her way through her early school years. Her mother is a great source of advice, offering tips on song selection and accompanying her on the piano.
Access to music, however, was anything but a given—after all, Kataryna grew up in the former Soviet Union. Music cassettes and vinyl weren’t readily available. But her family had a trick up their sleeve: Kataryna’s father was in the military and enjoyed a few privileges, including access to music from the West. They bought many records featuring American music, such as those by Whitney Houston, Pink Floyd, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. As a result, she grew up listening to all the pop stars we still celebrate today.
That’s another reason why she never misses a school performance—she loves to sing and wants to be on stage as often as possible. Despite her stage fright, she doesn’t let it stop her. She knows she can count on her friends’ support, and that helps her get through the nerve-wracking moments before her performances.
It wouldn't be long before her stage performances really paid off! After graduating from high school at age 18, she was approached by a band looking for a singer. They had already seen Kataryna perform back in middle school. As the lead singer of a Ukrainian alternative rock band, she came of age—loud and a little rebellious.
"I grew up being pretty conformist; I was always the good kid. That was my revolution. Everything black: my fingernails, my hair, my clothes."
That’s how she managed to convince her father and made her first major appearances in Kyiv. Kataryna still speaks proudly today about how moving and formative that time was for her. Together with the band, she also appeared on various television broadcasts. That’s enough to make any singer’s heart beat a little faster. One of the band’s music videos even made it into the rotation on a music channel.
"Because I sang so much without having mastered the proper technique, I developed vocal problems. And unfortunately, it was impossible to find a singing teacher."
During this time, she is constantly focused on her vocal health. This has provided her with additional motivation to major in pop and jazz vocals. She was absolutely determined to learn how to do it right—how to sing in a way that’s healthy for her voice and how to get the most out of her voice.
Her graduation: to thunderous fanfare and with a perfect score! Her professor would have liked to keep her on as a voice teacher at the faculty, but Kataryna doesn’t feel ready for such a big responsibility yet. The new music project: together with her guitarist Denys, they’ve formed the D’n’K Duo. They want to make money and are heading to China for half a year, on the hunt for a record deal.
The music scene there was a tough one. Back in Europe, her partner landed a contract in Germany, and Kataryna got one as a singer at a casino in Cyprus. She got a taste of that "Las Vegas vibe" and performed on stage every day for almost a year. By the way, the two of them became a couple, and they still are today. They’re now touring Europe as a cover band, and Kataryna has finally decided—much to our delight—to work as a vocal coach.
While studying at the University of Music, Drama, and Media in Hanover, she decided to share her vocal experience with others. In 2023, she joined our family of vocal coaches.
"I always pay attention to the timbre of my students" voices. I'm looking for the answer to the question: Where is the sweet spot?"
With all her live performance experience, she can contribute a great deal to your songwriting and live performances, but more fundamental topics are, of course, also covered in her CK Voice Lessons. Her vocal lessons focus on the body; Kataryna helps you with proper breathing as well as the right posture and the ideal sound for your voice. Together, you’ll work on custom arrangements for your favorite songs and everything your singer’s heart desires.
The atmosphere in her classes is always one of trust; even a poodle would feel right at home. Beginners and advanced students are both warmly welcome in her classes. And now, perhaps most importantly: vocal health and the appropriate techniques are a central part of her teaching, so that your voice will still sound healthy and beautiful many years from now.
Does this sound like you, and can't you wait to start learning to sing with Kataryna? Then book your free trial lesson now and experience Kataryna's vocal training firsthand!
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