Autobiography by Cathy Riso

I was born outside Atlanta, Georgia, and from my earliest memories, I loved to learn.  I learned to read at the age of 4, and have loved learning about anything and everything ever since.  My favorite books growing up were mysteries, histories, and Oriental folk and fairy tales.  Unable to REALLY travel, I “traveled” through my books, and imagination.  Traveling to Japan, China, and Korea as an adult, the cultures I loved as a child, truly came alive for me.  Imagination has always played a big part in my life.  As a young child, I had two imaginary friends, one who lived in the family refrigerator, and one who lived in the floor furnace.  I wrote stories with them, played with them, and even ate with them.  

I have also loved music all my life, my first “performances” dancing and singing on the Water Meter in my front yard.  I would sing to the skies, and then bow on every side. My first singing solo was with my church choir, but it was actually a mistake.  I didn't hear the Director tell us to "listen" to learn the song, and so, I sang the whole thing loud and clear. I am happy to say, I have since learned the great value of listening.  I began taking piano lessons at the age of 6.  I once had to play a Recital piece of "Shine Little Glow Worm" that was 8 pages long!  

My educational background is quite varied.  Because I had such eclectic tastes, I crammed 4 years of College into 10, attending the University of Georgia, and Georgia State University.  I studied everything from Plant Identification (I LOVE to garden; got that from my Mother's Mother) to Public Speaking to histories of all kinds (my favorites were French and Chinese) to Music to Geology.  I became interested in Geology taking notes for a deaf student.  He left School, but I continued to get a Minor in "Hard Rock" Geology (this is the actual Rocks and Minerals themselves, and more practical applications like Energy Sources).  OF COURSE, I studied Music, but I only Minored in Music since Performance Degrees from the University of Georgia were not encouraged.  I have studied voice privately everywhere from Atlanta, Georgia to New York City to Bergen, Norway.  My Major was actually in Advertising and Public Relations, and I wrote many a newspaper article, and designed many Ad Campaigns before I turned my professional focus to Music and the Stage.  Over the years, I have programmed computers, sold Service Policies for appliances, been a Secretary for a clothing Company, and managed a Retail Store.  My husband and I traveled with our own music for about 15 years while raising our three children.  

I found HuckleBerry quite by accident several years ago.  My first Class was a Mid-Semester replacement for what has now become one of my very favorite Classes to teach, "Classical Kids".  It has been so amazing to watch the Program at Huck grow!  Stephanie Berry has encouraged all of us teachers to stretch and dig deep to give the students an education they could get NOWHERE else!  I love the opportunity to teach children the THRILL of learning, NOT the burden.

My hobbies include gardening; Reading; playing Piano; I love Movies, especially Old Musicals, Action/Adventure, and of course, Romantic Comedies; I LOVE to LAUGH; Writing.  I became a published author several years ago and I am currently working on a "Singer's Work Bag" which is a very thorough encyclopedia of musical and singing knowledge, to be accompanied by a CD of vocal exercises.  The Book is set up in loose leaf, workbook style to tailor the contents to individual needs.  My favorite places are France, Vermont, and Monterey, California.  I love the Jewel-Tone colors, and I'm obsessed with my children, Francesca, 20, living and studying Musical Theater in NYC; Domenico, 17, at Golden Valley High School, but destined for the Military; and Isabella, 15, currently playing "Rizzo" in Golden Valley High School's production of "Grease".  My husband is Rick Riso, is a  well-known studio session singer in LA.  However, he is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology.  We live in Canyon Country where  I teach voice and piano privately to all ages, sizes, and shapes, including those with Special Needs.

Professionally, my greatest background is in Music, and on Stage.  I have toured internationally with Julio Iglesias (pictured above with Cathy), Placido Domingo, and Charles Aznavour (mentored by Edith Piaf).  I was on Broadway as Grace Farrell in "Annie", and performed in many Regional Shows, including, "Fiddler on the Roof" (I played Hodel, but we were short men, so in the "To Life, L'Chaim" Scene, I was a man!  Fun stuff!), "The Music Man", "Seesaw", "Take Me Along" with Gene Kelly, and lots more.   While performing "Godspell" in Oslo, Norway, we did a Command Performance for King Olaf.  I also did my own Show headlining at the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo, complete with dancers.  My film credits include, "Mulan", and "The Passion of the Christ".  My commercial credits include, "Juicy Fruit Gum", "Jiffy Lube", "Honey-Baked Ham".  I have also sung background vocals for numerous CD Projects.  

Some kind of interesting information from my past includes the fact that I toured underground tunnels between North and South Korea; sung on the Great Wall of China; won a Greased Pig Contest in High School, as well as the Girls' State Square Dance Championship; I learned to tap dance overnight so I could do a role in "Funny Girl"; sky-dived, pretty much out of necessity (my father and brother were both in the Army Airborne); as an adult, I have, of course, met many celebrities due to my work in the Industry, but the only 2 celebrities who “impressed” me were Stevie Wonder, and Neil Armstrong (I guess everything is relative); and as a child, one of my favorite things to do was sit out on my front porch when it rained, smelling the rain, and relaxing in the breeze from the falling water.

Life is the MOST amazing adventure, and I’m trying not to miss ANYTHING!

I can be seen and heard again this summer with “The Santa Clarita All-Stars” Concert in the Park Series.  The picture below was taken during last summer's 2009 Summer Concert Series, husband Rick Riso is in the gold/green jacket hitting those high notes and standing next to Cathy Riso.