A Shining Example of Musical Leadership
Dr. Kathryn Ladano (BA 1999) began her academic studies in Music at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo with a clear vision. Drawn to Grebel because of the flexible program that allowed her to study bass clarinet, she shaped her degree according to her interests. Today she is considered a visionary Canadian bass clarinetist who has redefined the instrument through a blend of traditional techniques with experimental soundscapes, expanding the instrument's horizons.
With degrees from the University of Waterloo, University of Calgary, and York University, and mentorship from renowned musicians, Kathryn has reached audiences worldwide. She has released three solo albums, Open (2010), Masked (2019), and Anatomy of the Recovering Brain (2024) and a duo album …listen (2015) with her ensemble Stealth.
"The Music program at Conrad Grebel College very much shaped me into the artist that I have become,” reflected Kathryn. “When I desperately wanted to study music in university, still unaware of where that would lead me, Grebel embraced me. This was significant because at the time, no other school would allow me to study bass clarinet as my principal instrument,” she explained. “Grebel not only allowed me to do this, but they allowed me a lot of freedom in my degree to study the areas in music I was most interested in, even parts not covered by the standard curriculum.”
Kathryn served in multiple capacities for NUMUS, including as Artistic Director for ten years, where she created the Emerging Curator Contest to inspire a new generation of artistic directors.
As a past instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University and at Grebel, Kathryn has taught courses, led ensembles, and given private lessons. Kathryn is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians through mentorship, workshops, masterclasses, and lectures. In her teaching, she particularly brings her passion for improvisation. The benefits of improvisation for musicians was the focus for her PhD, where she argued that improvisation is beneficial for the skill of the musician and for their mental health as well.
Kathryn is known for her own improvisation during performances and her signature style of improvising is the basis several of her albums. “I like bringing something new with my performances,” Kathryn explained. For her, performing isn’t just about being able to play the music she has created and loves; it’s about creating a new experience for the audience. Kathryn has performed in Noon Hour Concerts at Grebel and has led guest masterclasses at the College, as well as guest lectured in classes and the composition seminar.
Kathryn is an active member of the music community in both performance and education, continually pushing musical boundaries and exploring new sonic frontiers. She has won the 2015 Cook Homes Music Award from the Waterloo Region Arts Awards and the 2025 Rogers Women of the Year Award in Arts & Culture. She was on the composition committee for the recent MusCan conference held at Grebel and she performed at the new music concert at that event as well. She is also a past member of Grebel’s Alumni Committee. After a traumatic brain injury in 2020, Kathryn now uses her music to raise awareness about brain injuries and advocate for fellow survivors.
“I'm very thankful that Grebel nurtured my musical development from Day one. That encouragement always made me want to give back – not just helping the next generation of artists, but also helping people in a broader way,” Kathryn shared. “That instinct later led to my wanting to use a life altering brain injury that I sustained in 2020 to help raise awareness through music – to help the general public to better understand the mental health impacts of these injuries, and to give survivors hope."
Kathryn’s work regarding brain injuries is specifically tied to a piece she commissioned, performed, and recorded, called "Anatomy of the Recovering Brain." The piece is a 60-minute solo work which was composed for Kathryn by Frank Horvat as an integral part of her recovery journey. It is thematically about brain injuries and tells the stories of six different survivors, including her own story.
Kathryn’s contribution to her community is commendable, as it is lived out artistically, musically, and practically. Since graduating, she has consistently given back to Grebel and UWaterloo, offering expertise, championing musical exploration, and providing mentorship to emerging musicians. For these reasons, Grebel’s Alumni Committee has chosen Kathryn Ladano to be Conrad Grebel University College’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Service Award. She will be presented the award later in the winter.
Written by Jen Konkle