Name:
Dr. Catherine Godes
Catherine Godes
Name:
Dr. Catherine Godes
Title:
Associate Professor
Department:
School of Music
Email Address:
Phone:
(931) 372-3715
Office:
Bryan Fine Arts #314
About
Professor of Piano at Tennessee Tech, Catherine Godes holds degrees from West Virginia
University and the DMA in Piano Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory, where
she studied with Israeli pianist David Bar-Ilan. She was married to Latvian pianist
Herman Godes, a Steinway artist and Artist-in-Residence at WVU. They formed the Godes
Piano Duo and toured the U.S and Europe. Two years on the faculty of Fairmont State
University were followed by the appointment to direct the Community Music Program
at West Virginia University. Catherine developed a curriculum of musical education
for over 400 students, founded the Community Arts Orchestra, and established the Herman
and Catherine Godes Young Artist Concerto Competition.
In 1994, she accepted the appointment to head the piano program at Tennessee Tech
University. She and her husband moved to Cookeville where they continued active performing
and teaching careers. Catherine was the Collegiate Auditions Chair for TMTA for 7
years, and remains active as president of the local chapter. She also hosts the MTNA
Fall auditions at TTU.
Since the death of her husband in 2007, Catherine continues her activities as soloist,
collaborative artist, clinician and administrator. She has appeared several times
as soloist with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra.
She has taught at the Governor’s School for the Arts, and is on the faculty of the
Southeast Chamber Institute at TTU; a summer music camp for high school students.
In October, 2008, Catherine hosted the first annual TTU Young Artist Piano Competition
for high school students in honor of her husband Herman Godes. Now in its fifteenth
season, the competition attracts talented students throughout the region.
Dr. Godes frequently lectures student and community organizations about her husband’s
experience as an inmate in the Nazi concentration camps during World War 2. Prior
to his arrest, Herman was student of legendary pianist Walter Gieseking. After four
years of concentration camp, he resumed his career.
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