About Our Conductor / Director

CATHERINE GAGNON is an active conductor, music educator, and performer of French horn and piano in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A resident of Kingston, RI, she operates a small bed & breakfast in the historic village while continuing her professional work in music. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Ms. Gagnon holds both a Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees in Music Education with concentrations in French horn and Instrumental Conducting. Catherine has worked extensively in non-profit arts administration as well as various facets of music education for grades Pre-K through college. She was selected as the Music Director and Conductor of the Warwick Symphony Orchestra during the Spring of 2011. As a conductor, Ms. Gagnon led the Ocean State Youth Orchestra Symphonietta for several years, the 2003 RI Junior All-State Orchestra, the 2004 and 2008 Connecticut Eastern Regional Middle School Festival Orchestra, and the 2010 Massachusetts Western District Junior Festival Orchestra. She also served as an assistant conductor with the West Bay Chorale, the URI Symphony Orchestra, and the URI Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Having maintained a thriving private studio for over a decade, Ms. Gagnon is also a member of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association and currently works within the Somerset Massachusetts Public Schools where she is involved in Instrumental Instruction for grades 5-8 and directs Elementary and Middle School Concert Bands. As a performer of both French horn and piano, Ms. Gagnon is involved in performance opportunities throughout the region and during summer breaks in the south of France. Locally, she has been involved in performances by the Ocean State Chamber Orchestra, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, Fall River Symphony Orchestra, the college-community Symphony and Symphonic Wind Ensemble at the University of Rhode Island, The American Band, Milford Concert Band, and Pioneer Valley Concert Band. She has also performed as part of theatrical and operatic performances with organizations such as Ocean State Lyric Opera/Opera Providence, the Little Theater of Fall River and Brown University Opera Productions. Because performing chamber music is among her favorite activities Catherine’s work includes performances with area brass ensembles and mixed chamber recitals including appearances on the URI University Artists Series, chamber concerts at the Community College of Rhode Island, and a series of performances in the Alps de Haute Provence with the ensemble Les Femmes Internationale. In Europe, Ms. Gagnon also performs traditional music with an ensemble of Alp horn players from Switzerland and has traveled to perform and offer educational workshops in Belize City, Central America.