PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.
Kathy Sander – Musical Director
Kathy Sander – Piano/Keyboards/Vocals
Kathy has entertained in restaurants, bars, cafes and for private and corporate events since the age of 17 – starting out at “Brandy’s Restaurant” as resident pianist whilst completing Senior at school – through work in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – jobs that have taken her to the best venues in Australia – performing for royalty, government dignitaries, etc. Favourite work has taken Kathy to residencies at the Windsor Hotel and the Portego Bar in Melbourne, to the Hilton and Hyatt Hotels in Sydney, to Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s finest venues.
Kathy has been passionate about the Piano and Organ since age 4. Her earliest memory is performing on TV at age 5 on a Yamaha organ, playing a rendition of “Raindrops Keep Falling on Your Head” and “Tico Tico” – pieces she still plays today, though her repertoire has expanded. A rewarding career as a classical pianist, combined with a love for jazz and rock, has made Kathy a versatile and engaging performer. Her repertoire covers a range of genres, including classical, jazz standards, pop ballads, evergreen hits, Latin music, easy listening pieces, and carefully selected contemporary songs, all adapted to her distinctive style.
Kathy grew up in Toowoomba, playing piano at an early age – studied with Brachi Tilles, originally from Tel Aviv, who arrived in Queensland in the late seventies – straight from studies in Vienna. Kathy also studied the violin, her second instrument with Violinist and famed teacher, Spiros Rantos. Then, a move to Melbourne under the guiding hand of Stephen McIntyre and Roy Shepherd at the Victorian College of the Arts, completing a degree with a Chamber Music and Accompaniment major.
A love of all styles of music was evident in teen years in Queensland, Kathy’s first solo piano gigs in Restaurants and Clubs began whilst still at high school with a Friday residency at “Brandy’s Restaurant” in her home town of Toowoomba – and then continued with two residencies when moving to Victoria – playing for High Tea at the Windsor Hotel and three afternoons a week at Menzies at Rialto in the courtyard Portego Bar, whilst a student at the VCA. Over thirty years of professional piano work has led to many interesting and varied jobs, performing for royalty, government officials and dignitaries, and a very appreciative audience wherever she plays.
Currently working as a freelance pianist & keyboardist in Brisbane – associate artist at the Queensland Conservatorium, accompaniment and private teaching of piano and theory at Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane Girl’s Grammar School and privately. Kathy has held many teaching positions at some of Australia’s leading Private Schools – St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill in Sydney, Sacre Coeur in Glen Iris and the Peninsula Grammar School in Melbourne and The Stuartholme School, St Aiden’s School, & St Laurence’s College in Brisbane.
Memorable performances include playing the Vatican Organ, touring with the Stuartholme Vocal Ensemble, and serving as the pianist for a masterclass with legendary violinist Maxim Vengerov. Highlights have also featured backing artists such as Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Dionne Warwick.
She enjoys working in the commercial music scene, with many years in Latin bands like “Havana” and “Sabrosa,” crossover group “Barocka,” and jazz bands such as “The Barry Sutton Trio.” Kathy also spent 8 years touring schools with “Sound Sources” for Music Viva in NSW and the Qld Arts Council alongside her husband, drummer and percussionist Barry Sutton.
Her most recent theatre work includes roles in “Dusty,” “Miss Saigon,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Mamma Mia.” Until recently, Kathy was the principal pianist with the Queensland Pops Orchestra, and she has performed with the contemporary classical group “Topology” and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as an audition pianist. Currently, her busy schedule features her swing and events band “The Mood Music Band,” “The Mood Music Salon Orchestra,” “The Great Gatsby Band,” and the piano and bass duo “Amica Jazz Duo” with bass player Bryan Pearson.
The main goal for Kathy and the team at Mood Music is to keep live music thriving by delivering quality live entertainment to discerning clients.
