Born into a family of musicians, Katie first fell in love with music at the tender age of five when she began taking piano lessons at her parents' music store. The Massapequa Music Center. It wasn't long after that she began sing as well, as talent quickly recognized by family and friends. By age 15, this talent had earned her notable distinction as a church soloist within the local community. Katie would later go on to college, studying music at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, where she earned her BA Degree in Music. This is also where she first met her teacher of twenty years, Dr. Edward J. Dwyer of Teachers College at Columbia University. Later she went to

Credentials

 

Professional Training & Education

  • BA in Music, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

  • Vocal technique, as taught by the late Dr. Edward J. Dwyer (20 years - originator of this technique)

  • The Singing Actor's Workshop, with Wesley Balk, Minnesota Opera Institute

  • The New York Mastery/Actor's Institute, with Dan Fosse and Elle Ellsworth

  • Further study with more than 40 music coaches, emphasizing vocal technique, vocal therapy, language, speech, diction, repertoire, song interpretation and acting with such teachers and conductors as: Edwin MacArthur (one of the original pianists for Rogers and Hammerstein), Carlo Faria (assistant and protege to Arturo Toscannini), and Roman conductor Giampaolo Braccalli.

Recording Studios

Has worked as a recording consultant for many years and has assisted at studios in Toronto, Canada, Miami, Florida and Paris, France as well as some of the most notable recording studios in the tri-state area throughout Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut and Manhattan, including places such as: Avatar Studios, MediaSound, The Hit Factory, The Record Plant, and Sony Studios.

Healing Modalities

  • 4th Degree Reiki Master

  • Transformational Ray and The Ray of the Nine Healing Techniques (as taught by Genny Weintraub)

  • Biosonic Repatterning Healing with tuning forks

  • The Middle Pillar Healing Technique

  • Chakra Alignment

Trainings

  • EST Training with Werner Erhardt

  • Landmark Training

  • Anthony Robbins Courses

  • Justin Sterling (author of "Women, Sex & Power")

  • Martin Cohen (author of "All About Men/All About Women")

Singer & Composer

Katie Agresta has performed Opera throughout the U.S. and abroad, as well as several solo recitals while on tour in Italy. She has released a CD of meditation chants, Inside the Light, for Aubrey Records and composed the score for Hell, an off-Broadway show. In collaboration with Edgar Grana, Katie also wrote the first two movements of Des Les Debut Ballet.

Radio and Television

Appearances on radio and television talk shows throughout the U.S. and Canada, including: CNN, NPR, Discovery Health Channel with Dan Ho, and Cyndi Lauper's Reality Show She's So Unusual.

Lectures and Seminars

Lectured and hosted seminars in the U.S. and Canada including: Mannes School of Music, Queens College, UCLA, The Natural Singer Workshop (guest host), What a Voice Productions (guest host)

Publications

Articles citing work have appeared in: Musician Magazine, The New York Post, Newsday, and The New York Times, among others. Authored voice column for The Music Paper (7 years).

Certifications

  • The Radiance Technique (TRT) 4th Degree Reiki Master

  • Kundalini Yoga Level One Instructor

  • Naam Yoga Level One Instructor

  • 15 Years Training in both Pilates and Gyrotonics

  • Ray of the Nine, Transformational Ray and Middle Pillar Practitioner

  • DMA/Technologies for Creating by Robert Fritz - Instructor

  • NY State Certified Guitar Instructor

  • Taught music in the public school system, District 23, L.I. NY

  • Anthony Robbins Special Certificate for Unleash the Power Within and Unlimited Power

Awards

  • Pan Am International Voice Competition Award

  • New York Singing Teachers Young Artist's Award