INTRODUCTION
Katy Wolfe has appeared extensively in this region as well as overseas as an active and versatile performer fluent in both opera and musical theater. As a company member of Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee her roles include Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Mrs. Walker in Tommy, Marian in Music Man, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Mrs. Peachum in Threepenny Opera, Christmas Past and Mrs. Cratchitt in Christmas Carol, and Beggarwoman in Sweeny Todd. She has performed regularly as a soloist with the Knoxville Symphony, Oak Ridge Symphony, Bryant Symphony, Summer Garden Opera and Symphony of the Mountains including performances of Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, which she premiered at the Cathedral Music Festival in Southwark, Coventry and Salisbury Cathedrals in England. Ms. Wolfe has appeared as a soloist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Classics, Pops Series and Family Series as well as singing for the Fourth of July Celebrations in World’s Fair Park and the 75th Anniversary of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Her favorite opera roles include Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Despina in Cosi fan Tutti and Suzuki in Madame Butterfly with the Summer Garden Opera Company and Miss Sweetsong in The Impressario with Knoxville Symphony.
As a Musical Director, Katy has lead the cast and choruses of Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Guys and Dolls at the Clarence Brown Theater; Threepenny Opera, Brundibar, Noye’s Fludde and selections from West Side Story with the Oak Ridge Symphony. She also conducted an auditioned children’s choir from the East Tennessee region which includes choral directing multiple concerts with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and Oak Ridge Symphony and leading several tours to Switzerland.
Katy has spent the past twelve years as the voice teacher for the MFA acting students at the University of Tennessee. This has given her the opportunity to bring together her training in bel canto vocal technique and pedagogy with her passion for the study of a deep connection to text while singing. Working with actors, acting teachers and text coaches, including Barbara Houseman and Jed Diamond, she continues to explore how text impacts the production of sound. She is active as a private voice teacher and conductor of master classes for voice, theatre students
and professionals.
Katy holds a Bachelor’s degree from Belmont University as a student of Marjorie Halbert and a Master’s degree from University of Tennessee where she was a student of George Bitzas. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.
THEATRE
Fun Home
(Helen Bechdel)
Threepenny Opera
(Mrs. Peachum)
Christmas Carol
(Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit)
Kiss Me Kate
(Kate)
Music Man
(Marian)
Man of La Mancha
(Aldonza)
Tommy
(Mrs. Walker)
Sweeny Todd
(Beggarwoman)
Spelling Bee
(Moderator)
Amadeus
(The Soprano Soloist)
Woyzeck
(The Singer)
Parade
(Lucille)
OPERA
La Boheme
(Musette)
Noye’s Flood
(Mrs. Noye)
Don Giovanni
(Donna Anna)
Madame Butterfly
(Suzuki)
Italian Girl in Algiers
(Elvira)
Così fan tutte
(Despina)
Impressario
(Miss Sweetsong)
Carmen
(Mercedes)
La Traviata
(Flora)
RECORDINGS
GALLERY
TEACHING
EXPERIENCE
Katy Wolfe has spent the past three decades teaching and performing. She is a versatile musician fluent in both musical theater and classical repertoire. She has worked nationally as a performer, director, conductor, choreographer, voice teacher and clinician. Katy is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Clarence Brown Theatre where she currently teaches voice to graduate and undergraduate voice and acting students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also has private voice studios in Knoxville and New York City. She has clients working on and off Broadway and on major US Tours. Other clients are also working on major film, television and music projects with one client going on to win a Pulitzer Prize in music.
Her commitment to free and organic vocal technique within all musical genres, acting arenas and public speaking platforms has given her a unique ability to help her students produce healthy and supported sound in any type of song, scene and presentation. Her experience has led her to believe that musical style, vocal color, emotional intent, self awareness and even pitch range can all be available to the student with healthy technique when driven by the understanding of the text and subtext. This work has been particularly influenced by her collaboration with Barbara Houseman. Katy and Barbara have developed an interdisciplinary method of teaching actors and singers which has profoundly affected their clients technically and creatively.
Katy explores ways to facilitate deep and meaningful connections to both spoken and sung text and to develop a strong, healthy, expressive and authentic speaking and singing voice. Katy’s contagious enthusiasm and love for her work sparks within her students from all walks of life. Her dynamic approach impacts participants to reach within their abilities and exceed their expectations. Katy’s passion and experience combine for an engaging, memorable experience that is creatively, physically and
mentally enriching.
TESTIMONIALS
"I first met Katy in 2012 when I was a visiting lecturer on the MFA program at the University of Tennessee. I was struck by her wisdom, her generosity and her curiosity. It has been a delight and inspiration to collaborate with her over the last 10 years. She is a gifted teacher and performer whose deep knowledge and care for her clients allows them to develop their potential far beyond what they thought possible."
- Barbara Houseman (London Based Voice and Acting Coach)
"When the last line is written about me, it will not include any mention of being a great singer. But every time I sing, I feel good. And I think of Katy, and smile. She represents the utmost ideals of teaching; to free the student’s from the bonds of their own ignorance. To allow them to flourish in the light of their own self-actualization, and to spread that openness and self-love to others."
- Kyle Maxwell (M.F.A. Student, Off Broadway Actor, Writer)
"Once you meet Katy, it’s undeniable that she works from the heart."
- Jude Vincent (M.F.A. Student, Television actor)
“[Katy] was able to translate her immense knowledge on how to handle nerves in a performance setting into easy to use tools for an attorney preparing for a major oral argument. I found myself using Katy’s techniques to calm my nerves as I stood before a three panel in the Second Circuit. Having no background in the fine arts, I was unsure of how applicable Katy’s instruction would be to me. Katy did an amazing job of walking through various techniques to control my nerves. I will absolutely be working with Katy before any major argument I have as her presence and techniques kept my nerves
at bay!”
- Robert Lewis (Associate, Shearman & Sterling LLP)
"…Her instruction over my craft has not only instilled in me a confidence I never had before, but also curates me into a drastically improved artist."
- Zachariah Tkachyk (M.F.A. Student)
"Katy’s commitment to her students is as electric as her passion for learning. She is a student’s teacher; an active participant in the discovery process, always contributing never dictating. Her approach has been communal. Katy helped me find my voice, not just as a singer, but as an artist, a human being. She encourages me to embrace all I am and pour it into my work. She inspires me to believe my voice is a voice that must be heard."
- Tramell Tillman (M.F.A. Student, Actor Broadway, Television)
"She does not follow the same rubric for every student, but meets them where they are in their process and molds their training into something uniquely for them to meet their goals."
- Lauren Pennline (M.F.A. Student)
"Katy is extraordinary. She is just a remarkable artist, teacher, and person, and in the three years she works with the MFA actors her work transforms their voices, whether they are exceptional singers or don’t think they can sing at all."
- Jed Diamond (Head of Acting, University of Tennessee)
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