In the Faculty

Teaching Activities
Undergraduate conducting
Choral Techniques I and II
Vocal Techniques
Choral Repertoire

Director, University of Manitoba Concert Choir

Contact
Dr. Catherine Robbins
Room 139 Music 2
Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music
University of Manitoba
65 Dafoe Road
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
204-272-1594
Email

Education
BMus (Manitoba), BEd (Manitoba), MMus (Toronto), PhD (Toronto)
Professional Bio

Ongoing research

- The living curriculum: Possibilities of qualitative methodologies as curriculum models in music education
- narrative inquiry and podium exchange as professional development for post-secondary choral conductors, collaborative inquiry with Dr. Ian Loeppky, University of Northern Alabama and Dr. Elroy Friesen, University of Manitoba
- Musical learning in society, Research collaboration with Dr. Lee Willingham, Sir Wilfred Laurier University and Dr. Lee Bartel, University of Toronto
- neurological theories of the self as a theoretical framework for collaborative self-study methodologies

Catherine Robbins, PhD
Catherine Robbins is a dynamic music educator known especially for her work in vocal techniques and choral pedagogy. She is in demand as a presenter, clinician, and adjudicator at workshops and festivals in both vocal and choral fields, and keeps a busy schedule as a guest conductor of youth choirs of all ages across Canada. Dr. Robbins’ choral work centres on helping singers and conductors develop a solid understanding and subsequent application of sound vocal principles and body mapping techniques within the choral medium. She has presented on this topic at both provincial and national professional conferences.
Presently, Dr. Robbins teaches Undergraduate conducting, choral techniques, vocal techniques, and choral repertoire. She directs the University of Manitoba Concert Choir and, along with colleague Dr. Elroy Friesen, is co-director of fikamusik; a summer choral conducting intensive involving a pedagogical approach centred on the development of self and community. She serves on the board of the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association as representative of the Manitoba Choral Association.

Catherine completed her masters and doctoral studies in Music Education through the University of Toronto. Her areas of music education research include negotiating the solo voice in choral singing, narrative inquiry, collaborative inquiry and self-study methodologies, reflective practice and teacher education, the development of innovative frameworks for professional development, and the formation of the musical self of choral music educators. She has presented at international research symposiums in the areas of music education and choral singing.