Kelmscott musician Katherine John.
Camera IconKelmscott musician Katherine John. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson.

Kelmscott musician Katherine John relishing chance to inspire others

Jessica NicoComment News

MUSIC is in Katherine John’s blood.

With Kelmscott music shop Classic Sounds under the ownership of her family for years, it is little wonder John has a bulging repertoire that includes soul, blues and jazz, dance, rock, musical theatre, classical, pop and contemporary music.

The songstress said as the youngest of five musical children to two musical parents, it was something that was always around her while she grew up.

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“I had my first stage performance at the age of three, I learnt six instruments growing up and I could read music almost before I could read words,” she said.

“Music is my life – I was homeschooled my whole life so I was given the freedom to pursue it full time all through my schooling which gave me such a head start.

“I didn’t really have a choice about getting into music, it’s in my blood, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Having lived in Los Angeles, performed in New York and completed reference recordings for London’s West End, John has worked alongside and mentored under some of the industries biggest names – including Dave Isaac, Mamma O and Seth Riggs, and has just joined Perth band Slim Jim and The Phatts as their new lead singer.

Despite keeping her international options open, John said was enjoying her work as a singing teacher and vocal coach at Classic Sounds and had even started her own company KJEntertainment, which focuses on developing young emerging artists.

“Teaching in between my own career path is challenging, I won’t lie, but I believe in the ‘teaching circle of life’ and think we need to be passing on what we learn, to inspire and educate others – It’s our duty,” she said.

“From here on in, my next goal would be to play larger gigs to broader audiences and eventually tour.

“The more people I can touch and inspire though my music, the more inspired I will be.”

Katherine John will perform in Armadale’s Jull St Mall this Friday from 12pm to 2pm as part of the City of Armadale’s Music in the Mall series and will MC the City of Armadale’s Carols by Candlelight on December 1.

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