Katherine Freind - Company Director and Founder

With a lifelong passion for the performing arts, Katherine began her musical theatre journey at the age of seven and has been fortunate to perform in professional, pro-amateur and community productions ever since. Career highlights include Evita (His Majesty’s Theatre) Oliver, The King & I and Cruisin’ The Musical (Regal Theatre) working alongside industry legends such as Glenn Shorrock and JCM Productions.

In 2006, Katherine joined the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of WA and has since appeared in The Mikado, The Gondoliers and The Magic of G&S. Her early training includes Classical Jazz, Tap and Contemporary dance with vocal studies under Ruth Young/Atkinson and formal training/qualifications from WAAPA (Music Theatre Certificate), Trinity College London (Speech & Drama) and a Diploma of Music Theatre from ATOD.

In 2017, Katherine and her family founded Bel Canto Performing Arts, a training ground dedicated to nurturing young performers through quality tuition in musical theatre and voice. They currently offer classes in Kwinana and Thornlie and produce an annual youth musical staged at the Old Mill Theatre.

Since stepping into directing in 2012, Katherine has been involved in over 20 musicals and showcase productions for companies including Koorliny Arts Centre, Melville Theatre Company, Old Mill Theatre, BCPA and Black Box Performing Arts. Directing and teaching continue to be her greatest passions and she feels privileged to work with so many talented artists, especially emerging youth performers.

Currently Katherine serves as Operations Officer at Koorliny Arts Centre where she oversees venue management, curates the annual performance calendar and produces inhouse theatrical works. She has also enjoyed a parallel performing career as a soloist and member of the acoustic duo MUSE supporting various artists and releasing original music.

Every step of her journey has deepened her love for theatre and she remains dedicated to inspiring, educating and creating powerful performance experiences.