Catherine Little

Cellist Catherine Little is on a mission to build a bridge to classical music. But, she is no stranger to other genres – she's played with the likes of rocker Rod Stewart and has recorded pop, folk, blues, and rap.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, she's had the advantage of living in a rich song and celtic culture which has given her a uinque perspective on music and audiences. Foremost, she sees that familiarity with music promotes understanding and appreciation. As such, she is deliberate about her repertoire choices, and presenting educational and informative classical performances. Duly aware that the work of a great composer interpreted by a fine performer can touch people on the deepest level, Catherine has spent a lifetime honing her craft as a cellist in order to bring audiences her very best.

Catherine has an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (2007) and a Master's in Music Performance from the Université de Montréal (2010). Her university studies cover the history, theory, and interpretation of western classical music, as well as practical experience playing for auditions, orchestras, chamber music groups, and solo recitals.

Catherine has performed with the cello sections of The National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Montreal's Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia under conductors Yoav Talmi, Lorraine Vaillancourt, Bernhard Gueller, and Baldur Brönnimann.

Catherine was the solo “pit” cellist for seven musicals at Halifax's Neptune Theatre and has played on stage with pop acts like Jenn Grant and Il Divo. Between 2012 and 2020, she gave numerous classical string duo, quartet, and piano trio concerts. Other projects of note include performing as a cello duo for Phin Dance's The Grand Hotel in 2013 and in 2016. The Bells of Baddeck, A Musical Drama, and Handel's baroque opera, Rodelinda (Halifax Opera Festival). Catherine's cello playing can be heard on the following recordings: The Baroque N' Fiddle Sting Quartet's album Buttermilk Mary (2012), Czardas, from Big Turnips, Vol. 2, with violinist/fiddler Anna Wedlck (2018), Terra Spencer's In the City (2018), the Orchestrated Neighbours project with the Bela String Quartet (2019), Ryan MacGrath's Hearth and Home (2019), and Joyful Talk's Pixelated Skin (2020).