Soprano Catherine Lau Sings Her Magnificent Voice Appeals to Audiences and Leaves Them Wanting More

Catherine Lau is a lyric soprano who’s been singing locally for more than 20 years. Lau’s exquisite voice is clarion clear and pristine and has been known to bring listeners to tears at its beauty. Lau sings at St. Peter of Alcantara Church in Port Washington and St. Mary’s Church in Manhasset, as well as for other churches on Long Island. She also sings at weddings, funerals and for weekly services.
Lau was born and raised in Michigan. She began voice training relatively late, while she was in college. “I didn’t expect to make a living almost solely by singing in churches,” said Lau. She graduated from Grand Valley College in Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance. She’s lived on Long Island since 1991. Lau came to New York expecting to go into opera and oratorio. “Opera and oratorio was a major part of my training,” said Lau. “I vocalize every day. Your voice is like a muscle, and your whole body is an instrument,” said Lau. “Like an athlete, if you don’t use it, you lose it.” Lau has studied with such mentors as Leslie Guinn (University of Michigan, Aspen Music Festival), Richard Miller (Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Salzburg Music Festival) and Doris Yarrick-Cross (Yale).
Lau has sung the roles of Marguerite (Faust), Mimi (La Boheme) and Violetta (La Traviata) with the Manhattan Opera Ensemble, and Ilia (Idomeneo) and Micaela (Carmen) with the Brooklyn Opera Ensemble. She has sung as far away as China with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, conducted by Kenneth Schermerhorn. She’s performed at such venues as Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, Trinity Church, Garden City Cathedral and with groups such as Sinfonia Pacifica, Ridotto Ensemble, Aspen Music Festival Opera, Amor Artis, and New York Choral Society.
Lau has a private teaching studio at her home in Glen Head. She also teaches foreign language diction for singers. She can sing in Italian, French, German, Latin, Czech, Polish and Portuguese. “I teach kids from about age 9 to adults in their 50s and 60s,” said Lau. “I evaluate what the student needs, and how I can serve their needs. I help them get a handle on what they are practicing technically and artistically. Kids also come for lessons to polish the piece they are preparing for NYSSMA.” Lau’s husband is an instrumentalist and conductor, and their twin 15-year-olds both sing and play an instrument. “Both twins have a good ear,” said Lau.
Lau also sings for the American Legion Post 304 in Manhasset. She takes part in their Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies. “It’s always been a wonderful thing to take part in,” said Lau. “I feel it is very important to honor the service of our veterans.” Lau also sang at the Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert in 2012 at the St. Ignatius Retreat House on Long Island.
Many of her performances are on YouTube at SinfoniaPacifica. About singing sacred music in churches, Lau said “I feel privileged to be able to lift people up in prayer through song, and I never take it for granted. I try to serve the music and its message. It’s never about myself.” To contact Lau for lessons or singing engagements email her at clau1124@gmail.com.