CMFAA User Profile

Kathleen Lohrenz Gable was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and she studied piano with the acclaimed Saskatoon teacher, Dr Lyell Gustin. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music (Piano Performance) from Wilfrid Laurier University (1980), a Diploma in Lieder from the Franz Schubert Institute in Austria (1981), her Fellowship (Piano Performance) from Trinity College in London (1975), and her Master of Music in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan (1985). This has all led to a varied career as both performer and teacher across Canada, into the USA, and internationally.

As a teacher, Kathleen is dedicated to developing young pianists, singers and instrumentalists. Since returning to Saskatchewan in 1994, she has been actively involved in the Department of Music on campus since 1997. She has also worked with Opera Nuova (Edmonton), Bel Canto in Tuscany (Greve-in-Chianti, Italy), Calgary Opera Company, Saskatoon Opera Association, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Summer Opera Studio. She is widely sought as a teacher and clinician in piano performance and as a collaborative pianist and music director.
Kathleen taught piano and piano pedagogy at the University of Michigan and was a piano instructor at the Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan. Kathleen has also taught at Wilfrid Laurier University (1980-84), and the University of Windsor (1991-94).

Performing experiences have also been coupled to teaching opportunities. In the summer of 2018 Kathleen, along with her husband, bass-baritone Garry Gable, was asked to join the faculty of Bel Canto in Tuscany in Greve-in-Chianti, Italy. Kathy and Garry have travelled four times to China (2006, 2007, 20015, 2019) to perform and teach. They are affiliated with music schools in Tianjin (Tianjin Conservatory of Music. 2006-07), Wuhan (Wuhan Conservatory of Music, and Wuhan University of Technology. 2006-2019), and most recently Lanzhou (Minzu University for Foreigners. 2019). She was an official pianist for the World Saxophone conference in Bangkok in 2009. At the 2011 CFMTA Convention, Kathleen performed, gave workshops and master classes, and was one of the judges for the National Piano Competition. Kathleen has taught Applied Piano, and has been Music Director for the Music Theatre Ensemble at the University of Saskatchewan since 1997. In Canada, the Young Artist programs have been recognized for developing many young talents for preparation to professional careers in music. Kathleen has been privileged to collaborate with eight Saskatchewan/Manitoba Young Artist competition winners, including seven (7) University of Saskatchewan music students.

Kathleen has been a part of Edmonton’s highly acclaimed summer opera program, Opera NUOVA, as a faculty member since 2004. She has acted as vocal coach, mentor, and collaborative pianist there annually. She has also conducted many operas, including Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmelites, Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Copland’s The Tender Land, Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, and Patience, and Tartuffe by Kirke Mechem. She returns to Opera Nuova in May 2020 to be Music Director for a production of “A Grand Night for Singing”- a medley show of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest songs.