An award winning interpreter of musical theater and crossover repertoire, Katherine Riddle is making her mark with her “crystal clear soprano” and “strong acting chops”. Performing in theaters, opera houses and concerts halls across the United States and abroad, she has been praised for her sparkling tone, engaging storytelling and quirky sense of humor.
Katherine won the Marc Blitzstein Award in the prestigious Lotte Lenya Competition (2019) and was named a quarterfinalist in the American Traditions Competition (2019). She is also a first place winner of the NSAL Musical Theatre Competition (DC), and a second-place winner of the Hal Leonard Musical Theatre Competition.
A frequent crossover performer, Katherine joined the cast of Mary Zimmerman’s highly acclaimed adaptation, The Matchbox Magic Flute this spring at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, where she also performed in The Secret Garden with Daisy Egan and Michael Xavier. Katherine also was chosen for the highly competitive Young Artist Program at the internationally acclaimed Glimmerglass Festival (Francesca Zambello, Artistic Director) performing in Sweeney Todd alongside Greer Grimsley. Selected other roles include: Cinderella in Into the Woods; Cosette in Les Miserables; and Liesl inThe Sound of Music.
A champion for new works - Katherine has been a part of world premieres of both operas and musicals - including Florida with UrbanArias directed by Kevin Newbury, and the highly-anticipated musical adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, directed by Lee Sunday Evans at Arena Stage.
Perfectly cast as a Golden Age leading lady, Katherine recently played Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at ACT of Connecticut, Guenevere in Camelot with the Annapolis Chamber Orchestra, Laurey in Oklahoma, earning her a BroadwayWorld Best Actress nomination, and Fiona in Brigadoon which was named one of the Best Performances by a Leading Actress by DC Metro Theatre Arts.
Her solo performances include thoughtfully curated programs at The Kennedy Center, The Green Room 42 and The Duplex. Katherine also has appeared as a soloist with the American Pops Orchestra, the Fairfax Symphony, Signature Theatre, West Virginia Symphony, Vladimir Symphony and B-A-C-H Orchestra (Yekaterinburg, Russia).
Katherine is also passionate about teaching and has taught at the collegiate level at American University, as well as maintaining a private studio. Her students have been soloists in All-State Choirs, winners of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competitions, attend the high competition Interlochen Center for the Arts, and gone on to land collegiate music scholarships and internships with regional theatres and opera houses.
Katherine splits her time between Washington, DC and New York City, with her husband, Ian, and Norwich Terrier, Howard. You can spot her driving between the two cities in her pink Volkswagen Beetle with plaid interior.
Photo by: Michael Kushner
