Dr. Kathryn Goodson

Biography

Kathryn Goodson, a collaborative pianist and teacher coach, has enjoyed a distinguished international career spanning several decades. Known for her exceptional ability to generate colors and lights in music, Goodson commands a vast repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary improvisatory genres, with a particular affinity for wind instrumental and vocal music. She frequently collaborates with composers across various dance disciplines and orchestral ensembles, with notable performances including Ives’ 4th Symphony at Carnegie Hall with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin. At the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Goodson has served as a pianist-coach since 2002 and continues to play significant roles in various competitions and seminars. Her teaching extends internationally; in Germany, she instructs on American Art Songs, while in the U.S., she offers a unique course titled Songs4Winds. As a recording artist, Goodson has produced several significant works, including the notable release 'Belle Nuit.' Her initiatives include the Ives Festivals and the Kinderconcert series with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, reflecting her commitment to community engagement. Goodson holds a BM in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and both an MM and DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan, alongside a Konzertexam in Liedgestaltung with the highest honors from Musikhochschule Karlsruhe.

Research Interests