An ambassador and active exponent of the professional new music and art scene in Canada since 1974, versatile and experimental soprano/voice artist Catherine Fern Lewis graduated from the University of Victoria, B.C. where she specialized in contemporary music under the guidance of Frances James Adaskin. Lewis spent a further three years in Europe, predominantly in Paris, studying French song with the noted Peirre Bernac, Madame Chereau and Winifred Radford. In 1985, she was the first singer to be accepted in the Banff Centre for the Arts Professional Year.
Lewis is frequently heard in traditional repertoire as well as contemporary and has been in demand for her children’s presentations as well as her pop concerts. She has performed with such groups as the Steve Reich Ensemble, Toronto-based Arraymusic, Vancouver New Music and held invitations to such festivals and conferences as the International Voice Festival in Montreal, Tuning of the World Conference in Banff, the Parry Sound Festival, Sound Symposium in St. John’s Newfoundland and Voice ++ in Victoria, B.C.
Catherine has premiered numerous works by Canadian composers and was the recipient of The Canadian Music Centre’s New Music in New Places initiative in 2006. She recently completed recordings of several of Greta Monach’s sound poetry together with Christopher Butterfield. Lewis currently is collaborating with pianist/harpsichordist, Katelyn Clark presenting the songs and music of Linda Catlin Smith to be presented by Of-the-Now concert series and working on two new commissions by Mitch Renaud and Anna Hostman. Lewis is also working together with Dr. Kamal Sabran on his worthy Healing-Art Project.