April 17, 2017

Meet Kathryn Hopkins of Kathryn Hopkins Music in Burbank

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Hopkins.

Kathryn began her journey in music as a child in Australia where she excelled in musical theatre, singing and piano – even performing for Queen Elizabeth. Years later she moved back to her native New Zealand where she re-connected with her passion for performing and took up a singing residency with the North Habor Swing Band (an eighteen-piece big band) and became a member of the Sisters of Swing trio (SOS) performing the Andrew Sisters material with strong three part harmonies. Kat moved to Los Angeles early in 2014 where she currently resides and is following her passion for singing, continuing her piano studies and writing her own material. She has enjoyed performing in various venues in Los Angeles with small ensembles and also sings with a few big bands. She recently travelled to Brazil during the Olympics where she performed with a local brazil jazz band in two shows and co-produced the BeatleJazz show at the E-Spot Lounge in Studio City. She is now focused on starting the recording of her first album of originals in 2017 and looking forward to an upcoming visit home to New Zealand and Australia, where she’ll be singing at the Auckland Jazz N Blues Club and a guest spot in Sydney.

Has it been a smooth road?
Life is always throwing challenges our way and it’s up to us how we deal with those. Luckily, I have a fairly determined nature and I don’t give up easily. Whatever it is you want to do, you need to have a good mindset to stay positive during difficult or challenging times along the way, because it’s sure there will be some. It’s the obstacles that we overcome though that make our successes all the more sweet.

One has to learn their craft, whatever area they are in. The same goes for music and performing and there are so many aspects to consider, other than just learning to sing.

Moving to Los Angeles from a small country was a big challenge for me and finding the courage and confidence to put myself out there. It’s highly competitive and there are so many talented musicians in Los Angeles. Building a new network of people in a new country from scratch has been a challenge and getting a foot in the door as a ‘newbie’ or ‘unknown’. Thankfully the music community here is very supportive and I’m grateful for being so warmly embraced by those I’ve met.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m a singer/songwriter/entertainer. My roots are in jazz, having grown up in a family with two progressional jazz musicians, so it’s in my blood. It’s the environment where I really feel at home. Being from Gen X, I like to take modern songs and put a jazz spin on them, as well as reviving jazz standards. I work with all types of musicians and different sized bands from a duo with guitar and vocals, up to an 18-piece big band and like to mix things up and remain versatile. Music is all about creativity, so remaining fluid is important.

My original music I’m told has a vintage sound with a modern spin and I’m looking forward to recording and releasing my first CD here in Los Angeles. This is where I really get to self-express with my own creativity and songs.

I try to keep things real and down to earth and a lot of my original songs bring in storytelling. I like to give a message through the music, for something that people can relate to or be moved by.

Being a Kiwi Aussie in Los Angeles is fairly unique. I haven’t met many others with quite the same mix since being here. People often get a surprise when they hear me speak because of the accent.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Everyone comes to Los Angeles to ‘make it’ and there are so many musicians here. I think there is a lot of opportunity here and it’s a matter of seeking out those opportunities. Not for the faint hearted though and you kind of need to hustle and have some good luck come your way. If the city supported the arts more, it would always help.

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