Katherine Dobbs is an American mezzo-soprano from Grafton, Wisconsin. A recent graduate, Ms. Dobbs earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the DePauw School of Music along with two minors in German Studies and Italian Cultural Studies. At DePauw She had the privilege to portray many dynamic characters in their productions, such as Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief, die Knusperhexe in Hänsel und Gretel, Miss Marietta Shingle in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon. Now pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the highly prestigious Shepherd School of Music, under the guidance of Dr. Robin Rice, Ms. Dobbs has so far performed as Mrs. Jones in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene and as Ottavia in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea. The last four summers she has attended Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, and this past summer she performed as Ježibaba in Luke Housner’s Summer Workshop of Rusalka and attended the Lehrer Vocal Institute at the Music Academy of the West as a Studio Artist.​

 

Ms. Dobbs has always had a passion for the stage. When she was little, she participated in KidStage productions and was an active choral member in the Lawrence Community Girl Choir. She then began her classical training in middle school with private piano and music theory lessons with Erin Krebs at the age of 12, and built her solo repertoire through private voice lessons with Carol Jegen at the age of 13. While studying with Erin Krebs and Carol Jegen, Ms. Dobbs was involved in many musicals, plays, and eventually three choirs during her time attending Appleton West High School. During this time, she also attended the Renaissance School for the Arts, where she regularly took classes in acting, directing, stage presence, ballroom dance, stage combat, and improvisation for four years.​

 

Once entering DePauw University, she studied voice under the combined guidance of Caroline Smith, Kerry Jennings, and Thomas King. During this time, she also was regularly coached and accompanied by Amanda Hopson. Here she developed a passion for languages, resulting in a minor in German Studies, followed by a minor in Italian Cultural Studies. Besides her focus on music, she academically challenged herself daily and was on the Dean's List every semester.

 

Now pursuing her Master of Music, she studies with Dr. Robin Rice as her voice teacher and Luke Housner as her coach. Already she has been chosen to portray Mrs. Jones in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene and Ottavia in Monteverdi’s L’incoranazione di Poppea.​ 

 

While Ms. Dobbs has lived most of her life in Wisconsin since the age of 6, she was originally born in Houston, Texas. She is thrilled to be back in Houston for her higher education.

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Daring and bold, Katherine Dobbs completely transforms the very moment she steps foot onstage.