Artistic Team

Kate Leavey

    Creative Director
 

Kate began her career performing in theater at The Boston Center for the Arts and headlining at The Top of the Hub, Sculler's Jazz Club, The Waldorf Astoria, even scatting her way across the stage at a Carnegie Hall Youth Festival. Although an accomplished performer, her true life's work has always been in the ministry of music. With a Master's in Sacred Music from Boston University, Kate served as the Director of Liturgical Arts at Boston College, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees. A lover of all the arts, Kate is an avid writer who freelances and is close to actualizing her dream of publishing her first novel. Kate has been honored at the State House as one of Massachusetts' "Unsung Heroes" and distinguished in her hometown as the "ROTA" inductee for athletic achievement. Kate is also a founding partner of Act 2: Share Our Stage, promoting wellness through the arts; she also lends her voice to "Act 2: You're On" - a podcast igniting personal and societal renaissance through inspirational conversations and purpose-driven topics. Kate lives in Natick with her husband, Steve (found singing to her in the Bass section), and rejoicing in the four children they adore. Sound & Spirit is a melding of her love for performance, self-expression, and providing opportunities for collaboration and joy through all the artistic modalities.


Cathi Ianno

    Associate Director
 

A passionate arts advocate and mission-driven professional, Cathi currently serves as the Director of Advancement at Global Arts Live, a world music and dance organization serving the greater Boston community. An accomplished fundraiser, Cathi previously served as Director of Development at SpeakEasy Stage Company for five years and The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) for five years. Cathi began her career as an arts administrator at Boston College and held several different positions, including Director of the annual BC Arts Festival and Project Director for the Arts Council. Cathi has been accompanying musicals, choirs and individuals since she was just 14 years old! She lives in Natick with her two daughters, Abby and Selam.



Claire Mackay

    Choreographer
 

Native to South Africa, Claire studied physical education at Witswatersrand University with a focus in special needs. A lifelong lover of the arts, Claire first toured at the tender age of 10 with South Africa’s Brick Hill/Burke production of Annie. While Claire loves to perform, she discovered her true passion on the other side of the curtain, directing and choreographing her first musical production in 8th grade. For the last 15 years, Claire has directed, produced, and choreographed musical productions for all ages and recently signed on to direct and choreograph Dover/Sherborn Middle and High School musicals. 


Andrew Larson

    Collaborative Pianist
 

Andrew is a music teacher and pianist from Newton, MA with many years of performing and teaching experience. He holds a master's degree from Boston University in Music Education and has taught in the Lexington and Framingham school districts. Andrew has also worked as a collaborative pianist at Wellesley Middle School and Concord Middle School. He can be found teaching piano lessons in the Newton/Brighton area after school as well, because who needs free time anyway? Working with singers is one of Andrew's favorite things to do; whether it is a chorus, musical, or soloist, he's there. He sings too! Andrew has been a bass in several choruses throughout his life and was fortunate enough to perform at Symphony Hall in 2019. 

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