|  Kathryn
Bakke, recognized pianist/entertainer and speaker, based
in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is even more unique as a musical
artist with a profound hearing loss in both ears who uses a hearing
aid and a cochlear implant.
Entertaining all over the United States, in spite of losing the
one sense most crucial to her profession, she represents great
and inspirational achievement.
Many people with a hearing loss or other disability wonder if
they can go on in their chosen field or continue their previous
activities, socially or physically. Kathryn demonstrates that
they can.
After her second major hearing loss, she demonstrated triumph
over the following:
AS A MUSICIAN:
- She has earned a Master's degree in piano performance.
- She has held two church positions as pianist, organist
and choir director.
- She has taught large classes of piano students including
many contest winners.
- She has been a piano exam and competition judge.
- She composes a variety of music including humorous and
serious compositions for piano solo and four-hands, vocal
and choral.
- She is presently a pianist-entertainer, performing a variety
of theme show series each year, both seasonal and for special
occasions in a widening area which includes the entire upper
Midwest, Seattle, Denver, CO, Southeast United States, upstate
New York, including cities en route and Washington D.C. The
themes include all the holidays and many novelty themes such
as "New York! New York." She is available to design
custom theme shows around themed conferences and conventions,
family occasions and private parties.
- She has produced and performed as the principal artist
for three compact discs
- She entertains for varied groups from senior venues to
private parties to corporate events specializing in convention
openers
AS A SPEAKER:
- She is a member of National Speakers Association and a
long time Toastmaster.
- She is memorable motivational musical keynote speaker on
overcoming impossible challenges.
- She is available to present to groups seeking information
on providing hearing loss access.
AS A WRITER:
- l She writes articles for national hearing loss newsletters.
- She is working on two books:
- · "Sure I Can Hear, But I Want to Listen!"
which informs a variety of venues such as conferences, churches,
retirement facilities and others on how to open up their space
to include people with a hearing loss.
- · “Uncertain Steps” - a lightly humorous
book comparing the floundering experiences of a traveler,
here and abroad, coping with route and communication challenges
to the similar experiences undergone by a person with a hearing
loss.
AS A VOLUNTEER
- She is an active church member, volunteering for whichever
activities that can be meshed with her busy tour schedule.
- She is a board member of Association of Adult Musicians
with Hearing Loss.
- She is a past board member of the MN Hearing Loss Association
in America (HLAA)
- She actively participates in neighborhood block leadership
Kathryn is married to Roald. They have two married
children and four charming grandchildren. She loves to read. She
and Roald are enthusiastic power volleyball players and long distance
bicyclists. Her cosmopolitan outlook is influenced by her extensive
travel, to all parts of the United States, Europe and Asia.
She presently maintains an active entertaining
and speaking schedule, over 200 appearances in 2009.
Please call or email for the latest information
on availability and fees.
Phone: 612-866-2974.
E-mail: kbakmushoh@aol.com
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