Catherine Giel is in her fourth year as the Education Manager at the acclaimed Spivey Hall at Clayton State University. She manages the extensive educational programs created and produced by the Education Department, including Young People’s Concerts, student and teacher workshops, community outreach initiatives, master classes, and the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with an emphasis in piano performance and also completed a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the Florida State University College of Music. She studied piano with Leonidas Lipovetsky and Dr. James Nalley and served as accompanist and stage manager to the Florida State Opera in addition to recitaling with numerous vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles in the region. For five years, Catherine served as the accompanist in concert and on tour with the top undergraduate collegiate choral ensemble at Florida State, the University Singers, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Fenton.

In 2008, Catherine founded, with Dr. Fenton as Artistic Director, the Orlando-based Festival Singers of Florida. In addition to her positions with Spivey Hall and Capitol City Opera, Catherine maintains a dynamic performance schedule as a frequent pianist with The Atlanta Opera and has appeared as a guest pianist for the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, and served as a collaborative artist for numerous venues, competitions, and auditions throughout the southeast. She is married to violist and conductor Michael Giel, and together they enjoy an active musical life.