Catherine Robbins

Dr. Catherine Robbins is a dynamic music educator known especially for her work in vocal pedagogy and 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 enjoys working with developing voices as a guest conductor of youth choirs of all ages across Canada.

  • In the faculty

    • Assistant Professor, Choral Studies and Music Education
    • Conducting
    • Choral Techniques 1 & 2
    • Vocal Pedagogy for Choirs
    • Choral Repertoire
    • Director, UM Concert Choir
    • Co-Director, fikamusik Summer Choral Conducting Intensive

Education

  • BMus,  University of Manitoba
  • BEd, University of Manitoba
  • MMus, University of Toronto
  • PhD, Music Education, University of Toronto

Academic work

Robbins’ choral work centres on helping singers and conductors develop a solid understanding and subsequent application of sound vocal principles and anatomical awareness to the choral medium.

Currently, Robbins serves on the Editorial Board of Anacrusis: The Official Journal of Choral Canada and writes a regular focus column on vocal techniques for conductors and choristers. She is the President of the Manitoba Choral Association and a Board Member of the Manitoba Music Educators’ Association. She has presented her research at numerous provincial, national, and international conferences in the areas of Choral Pedagogy, Vocal Techniques, and Music Education and regularly collaborates with scholars, university colleagues, and artists across Canada and abroad. .

Awards

Robbins was awarded a Merit Award in Teaching from the University of Manitoba (2016). Under her direction, the University of Manitoba Concert Choir was presented a Jury Acknowledgement Award in the 2017 National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. She was also awarded a University of Manitoba Creative Works Grant in 2016.
 

Ongoing research and creative works

Robbins' research focuses on the following areas of interest:

  • Collaborative Self-Study, Life History, and Narrative Inquiry methodologies as pedagogical tools in schools and higher education
  • Exploring Collaborations with Indigenous Artists and Culture Carriers: Commissioning, editing, and performing works by Indigenous composers and artists: Toward a Choral Métissage with Cree composer Andrew Balfour and Anishinaabe Culture Carrier Cory Campbell
  • Anatomical Awareness for choral conductors and singers: Exploring neurofascial and somatic methods for healthy singing, developing conducting technique, and singer and conductor wellness