Venture Out! Magazine

Winter 2012 Issue

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By: Maggie Della Rocco - Griffin

Cathryn Rondina Kenzel

I met Cathy some time ago through a dear friend of mine, Ann DeMatteo. Getting to know Cathy, I can see why she is known as the woman with the Golden Touch when it comes to the performing arts. She masters the ability within herself to make it happen. All you need to do is believe in yourself. Through her, she presents a quality of diversified talents that truly are untouchable and remarkable when she both performs and instructs her students. Students of which many have been seen in motion pictures, Broadway, heard on the radio, TV shows and commercials.

 
Cathryn Rondina Kenzel is the director and master teacher of Vocal Productions Inc., located in Branford, CT. Since the age of three she launched her journey in the entertainment industry through her late  mother, vocal coach Margaret Rondina.

 
At age seven, Cathryn began to study voice in New York from the late Helen Greco, and has continued to study her craft with an esteemed list of mentors, including Martha Oneppo at the Yale School of Music. When she was 15, she recorded "Other Lips" on the Ron-Cris label. Her popularity grew with television appearances, radio spots and commercials. In November 1993 she released her first CD, "A Kiss on New Year's Eve." Her second CD, "The Vocal Styles of Cathryn Kenzel," was released in 1998. Her third recording was released in early 2001. That’s our Cathy!!

She sings in Spanish, Italian, French and Yiddish. Cathryn appeared for three consecutive years at the Oakdale Musical Theatre as the opening act for Tony Bennett, Henny Youngman, Phil Foster and Rodney Dangerfield. She has graced the stage of major New York hotels and resorts, from the Persian Room of the Plaza Hotel, to Dangerfield's, to the Royal Box in the Hotel American to the Friar's Club. She has appeared at the Grand Café 44, The Supper Club, The Duplex and has done a one-woman show at Don't Tell Mama. She has appeared in AIDS and Special Olympics functions and was a featured entertainer at the Special Olympics International World Games in New Haven in July 1995.

To include, she enlightened the state through her extreme talents. A delightful performer - she has appeared at The Front Page, New Orleans; Club Gigi's, Dallas; Hyatt Regency, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Bonaventure Hotel, Montreal; Rest Farms Resorts, Lancaster, Pa.; The Cricket Club, Miami; Disneyworld, and a slew of Catskills resorts. She has drawn standing ovations and high praise from her peers who include Vicki Carr, Marty Allen, Cloris Leachman, Ann Miller, Don Rickles, Dick Shawn, Clark Terry and The Platters.

Cathy certainly is the famed performer that extends her own passion and talents to those who also have the same passion in the performing arts. As a mentor and vocal coach, she defines the true meaning behind success. Having stated that fact, the below performers experienced the levels of Cathryn’s energy, positively positive coaching, her history and let’s now forget - the main motto – Believe in yourself and anything can happen.


PATTY FARMER Author of The Persian Room Presents had pleasure in interviewing Cathy for her book, learning she was the youngest to ever perform at the Persian Room, there was no doubt Patty’s people had to find Cathy.

“During the course of writing my book on the Persian Room my research team found out about Cathy. So I called and she was very gracious in sharing her story and letting me interview her.

When you learned she was the youngest to ever perform at the Persian Room, what did you think? Well, of course, I thought it was quite an accomplishment. As another, very famous singer told me - You've made it and made it in New York when you're asked to play the Persian Room!

I've spoken to Cathy a few times and love her story. What courage, determination and accomplishment to set records such as being the youngest entertainer to EVER have played the Persian Room - that's the PERSIAN ROOM -Wow!! Today she continues sharing her experience and talent by guiding and encouraging new young talent and I find that remarkable.

The Persian Room Presents launches the end of Feb/early March and yes, it will be available on Amazon as well as all major [and many minor] bookstores and specialty stores....The Plaza etc.”
 

MARK DePAOLA worked with Catheryn Rondina Kuenzel in the mid-1970s in a touring show band called "The Bobby Fitzgibbons Show." The band toured the United States and Canada. Catheryn was the lead singer and Mark played drums. Mark continues to play drums with a Steely Dan tribute band, Beau Bolero.

Reflections from Mark, “I met Catheryn back in 1976 … At that time I was just starting to play out and Catheryn was already a seasoned veteran. Now, in my 40th year in the music industry, Catheryn still remains one of the greatest female vocalists I have ever worked with. Catheryn’s vocal ability covers all styles to perfection - pop, standards, country, Broadway and even classical. While working with her on the road back in the mid 70’s, she was dedicated to a perfect performance at every gig and I was always amazed at how easy it was for her to connect with her audience. A true professional, as soon as she begins to sing, you can tell her love and sincerity for music is huge. An incredible performer and a beautiful person, I am grateful I had the chance to work with Catheryn.”

CAITLIN HALE, 20, a 2009 graduate of Hamden Hall Country Day School. Grew up in Ansonia. Now, a student at Arizona State University majoring in journalism/public relations, Caitlin started taking lessons with Cathy when she was 6 and took lessons for about 7 more years. She held the part of Marta in the Jack Black film, “School of Rock.” She said she wouldn't have gotten the part, or the audition, without Cathy. Caitlin had to sing four songs for the movie that cast youth for acting and music. “She made it so that I could perform at my best ability with confidence and comfort. I wasn't nervous at all because of her training.”

She had an agent, CDE, and a manager, the late Tobe Gibson from Young Talent Inc. Caitlin had a one-time speaking role on “All My Children” and did a lot of local theater. She went on many auditions and as a result of “School of Rock” promotions was on Regis & Kelly, Jay Leno and the Sharon Osborne Show.

Caitlin Hale quoted, “Because she is so knowledgeable, she made it so that whether through breathing or vocal exercises, it was at a professional level. She brings the inner-performer out in all of her students. She has the ability to make people feel so comfortable. She teaches with care. Her students all can sing and get professional things. Because of her teaching abilities she's able to make people succeed.
Other than being a great vocal teacher Cathy's an incredible person. I remember going to lessons. It was like visiting family, she was so happy all the time. I was so at home. It was such a pleasure. It inspired me. She has such a knack for her to relate to them and bring such talent forward with little kids. Six to adult, she has the ability to make the best of their voices. It's an incredible thing that she can do.
Without Cathy, I truly believe I wouldn't have had the confidence. Auditions were a minimum of one song. We would practice and practice. Whether it was a ballad or upbeat, she made it so that I could sing it well.

Teacher, mentor, she's an inspiration. I can't say enough nice things. I love her. It doesn't matter the age or the type of person, she has the ability to make everyone feel so comfortable. Learning from her you learn so much more than singing. She's an accomplished performer and she's such a mentor and a great inspiration as a person. She taught me how to be a good person because she is so great. I wish her all the success in the world. When I come home I will try to see her. I miss her a lot.”

TRACEE BEAZER, a Waterbury native who lives in New York City, took lessons from Cathy for two years from ages 15 to 17. She was going on auditions in her pre-teen and teen years and had an agent and a manager. She was referred to Cathy by the late Tobe Gibson of Young Talent Inc. Tracee has performed on Broadway from 2003 to the present. She graduated Crosby High School in Waterbury in 1999 and was on her way to AMDA when she got involved with Theatre Works USA, got an Equity card and moved to New York. HAIRSPRAY was her first Broadway show. She was a member of the Dynamites, the trio that sang “Welcome to the Sixties,” and the characters who served as spokespeople for the show, and as such did a lot of press work for the show. She was a member of the cast of THE WEDDING SINGER, playing the Fake Tina Turner and a member of the ensemble. She did the first national tour of “ALL SHOOK UP” and a couple of regional things.

She was in “GOOD VIBRATIONS,” as a part of the ensemble and understudied the role of Marcella. Her most recent Broadway show was “MEMPHIS,” where she was part of the ensemble and understudied “Felicia,” the lead. She was affiliated with the show for three years, including a year and a half in the Broadway Company. She sang, danced and acted in “Sophisticated Ladies” in Atlanta in 2008. She is performing now with “BROADWAY DOLLS,” the official girl group of Broadway. They are five Broadway “triple threats” who just did a show for the New York Musical Festival.

Tracee strongly owes her success to Cathy as she stated, “She really helped me own the voice I had. She really helped me develop my ear for music. She exposed me to different artists.”

She was very instrumental in getting me on “Showtime at the Apollo,” and she brought me to New York with “Talent America.” That's where Tracee met manager Christie Thomas, who has since moved to L.A. And agent Theresa Wolf. “She was really great about putting her students out there and exposing them to different opportunities they wouldn't have had with other teachers.” (Tracee took classical training prior to seeing Cathy.)

Exposing me to New York, she helped me do well in competition. She gave you the confidence. You could tell she cared about every element of your career, making sure you were seen by the right people. She was great at pushing you and giving you the encouragement you needed. She's just a beautiful person in general. She is a delightful person to learn from and I'm very grateful to have her as my teacher.”

MIKE DINNEEN, 22, of Hamden, graduated in May 2011 from Wagner College with a bachelors in theater performance. He never thought of theater or singing as a profession until he met Cathy. “It was just a hobby and then all of the sudden I was going to school for it and it was a 100 percent investment.” Mike was a junior at Hamden High School and was cast with his friend, Justin Scalzo, in “Blood Brothers.” Justin had already been taking lessons from Cathy and suggested that they go to her to practice the music for the English play. “I walked in and how could you not fall in love with her right away.”

Mike told us how Cathy’s influence achieved a positive outcome for him. “She helped me so much with pitch and music. I liked her so much I decided to study music. It was meant to happen.” At first he felt he was just known as “Justin's friend” but after the play was over he called Cathy to start lessons and he recalls she said it him: “I was hoping you'd call because I see the potential in you.” He took lessons the remaining of his junior year, all of senior year and the summer. “The biggest help was getting me ready for college auditions. Without Cathy, I would not have been prepared for my school audition. She picked the songs and trained me with pitches, theory and music. She helped me perform the song and transposed it so it fit my voice better. I was so prepared. If not for Cathy, I never would have gotten into Wagner.”

He also did well in his entry-level music exam. Describing that he was the last lesson of the day and his mother would later come into the studio and they would eat, hang out and talk. “She was a family friend at that point. The most important thing she did, besides her great instruction, was warm-ups and technique training. The best thing she's done for me was give me opportunities” through vocal competitions. They went to Disneyworld for Access Broadway. Cathy helped me find my voice. Finding my voice was so important, finding and hearing.” “It was imperative before college that I needed to sing in front of people.”

During college, Mike performed in summer stock in Maine and New Hampshire. Through the Prather Entertainment Group he was bookrd in “Legally Blonde,” and he is currently performing in that show in Mesa, AZ. He will be in Arizona through February, because the company also will perform “A Christmas Carol” during which Mike will be “Young Marley” and then they will do “Brigadoon,” during which Mike will be “Harry Beaton,” a villager who wants to leave. From there, the company of “Legally Blonde” will go to Fort Myers, Fla., and Lancaster, Pa. Mike plays “Aaron Schultz” in “Legally Blonde,” as well as ten other characters, and he understudies the lead.

VINCENT CORVARI, 24, of East Haven. He recently has performed in benefits and local festivals. The most recent benefit was to help out the victims of Tropical Storm Irene who live on Cosey Beach Avenue in East Haven that aired on NBC 30 Connecticut. In preparing duets with Cathryn Kenzel for her upcoming showcase, they kept on adding to their list instead of eliminating. “By the time we're done, we'll have an album,” Vincent joked, and Cathy said that was a great idea. “I'm really excited to do it. We both like many genres. It will be a little of everything because we both love music so much. She always says we make a great team.”

Vincent has been taking lessons from Cathy for six years. He said he loves the entertainment industry. “Wherever it takes me, that's where I'm going to go.” For now, he is a tennis pro who has a bachelor's degree in finance from Quinnipiac University, class of 2009. He's a member of the East Haven High School class of 2005.
Vincent told us “You hear her sing. It's so inspiring to hear her capabilities and you want to shoot for that. We're doing a duo and hearing her sing, I want to sing like that. I've always wanted to be better and she's always motivated me to shoot to where she's at and the effort it took for her to be where she is, and I want to do that for myself.

She's always given us events to do, singing competitions, charity shows, and festivals. She's pushed us to get out there. He said he had a problem with nerves and she put in him the environment to be in front of an audience. Try to connect to an audience, relax. Don't get over nervous to affect your voice. She made me more comfortable by going out there; it made it easier to do. The more I did it, a positive reinforcement came in how the applauds. I'm very confident in what I'm doing and she definitely gave me that.

She started as a teacher and now I see her as a mentor. The more I sing with her, she's someone I want to be just like. She makes me and others very comfortable in the studio. She's not just our singing teacher but a great friend who teaches us things that go way beyond music.”

GARY MURPHY on behalf of his son RYAN PETER MURPHY Ryan, now 12 years old, started taking lessons from Cathy in June of 2009. Following 2 ½ years of lessons, Ryan has appeared in several performances that include being selected to sing America the Beautiful at the New Haven Open at Yale as well as voice training that ultimately helped Ryan in landing a dual role in Yale repertory theatre's world premiere musical We have always lived in the castle.

Ryan developed strong vocals through Cathy’s experience. “With her experience on stage and real-world industry insight, Cathy works not only on vocal technique but on diction, tone, acting and presentation. Ryan knows Cathy truly has a passion to see others learn and has a desire to share a love of her craft while sharing her passion for music and encouraging Ryan to appreciate and love music.

She is always encouraging Ryan to learn and strive to be the best he can be. And, at the same time, each lesson becomes fun, and as a result, the learning just comes naturally. She is both a teacher as well as a mentor to Ryan. Cathy has an innate understanding of each student’s individual needs both technically and emotionally. She truly is a wonderful teacher and caring professional.”

Today, our Cathy continues to mentor, instruct, encourage and stand by those who seek her guidance to lead them to the road of a passion within the performing arts. The best part is, Cathryn Rondina Kenzel also continues to perform at the read of a Golden Touch, still taking in with pride and glory standing ovations whose victories meet the requirements of which are at best still praiseworthy.

And example is young talents like Ryan Peter Murphy, this is what dreams are made of: http://www.youtube.com/user/unlock2one

After all, When it's a New Year, New Day and a New Way, when it comes to Cathryn Rondina Kenzel "Cathy", it is New Journey Everyday.

A CREDIT TO CATHY
Ms. Kenzel's current and former students include:
Tracey Beazer - Hairspray, Good Vibrations (Broadway)
Christy Carison Romano - Belle, Beauty and the Beast (Broadway);
The Broadway Kids; Ren, Even Stevens; Kim, Kim Possible
Aubrey Jean - Summer Rental (film), Fruit Loops,
Dill Pickles and other national commercials
Caitlin Hale - Marta, School of Rock

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