Fiona, Aretha and Norah meet for a martini…
piano, percussion, powerful…

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Kate Polsky burst onto Vancouver’s original music scene in 1992 as Katie MacColl. An energetic performer with a 7-piece all-original R&B band, she quickly gained a reputation as a great opening act for such artists as Reunion Records’ Carolyn Arends, and cult favourites, The Festive Eddies. In 1993, community newspapers all over the Lower Mainland were running huge features about “Songs For Sanctuary”, a recording project created by Kate to raise awareness and funds for a local battered women and at-risk youth re-training program.

After that first year, Kate began performing as a solo artist, known for her excellent songwriting, sweet singing, and masterful playing as both a pianist and percussionist. She moved away from the blues and went back to her roots as a classically trained pianist, but with a twist…you never miss her R&B, jazz, pop and songwriter influences. Think the style of Fiona Apple mixed with the vocal power of Aretha Franklin poured over the mood of Norah Jones and you get the taste of Kate Polsky.

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Since then, Kate has stacked up credits as a fantastic opener, headliner and event producer. Invites from Babe Gurr, the Stoaters, the Colorifics…the Songwriters’ Association of Canada’s Bluebird North (on a bill with Colin James), the Vancouver songwriters’ showcase Just Singin’ Round, the internationally renowned Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas (2002)…several tours throughout the mid-western and southern states and across western Canada…and in amongst all of that, she also managed to teach band and choir at a Vancouver secondary school, direct several musicals, work multiple contracts within the music industry as a project manager and volunteer coordinator, work as a singer / percussionist / keyboardist in several bands, get married, give birth, and release three recordings!

She is a past Executive Director of Music BC (formerly the Pacific Music Industry Association), responsible for national and provincial funding programs, the editor of their newsletter, manager of province-wide conferences, BC representative for the Juno Awards and co-producer of the West Coast Music Awards. Kate has also received many invitations to act as a lecturer (particularly regarding career options in the music industry), moderator and panelist, event host and MC. From 2001-2005, she developed the upper school vocal music and musical theatre program at Mulgrave School in West Vancouver. Kate is a member of Elektra Women's Choir, and has recently been appointed as the choir teacher at North Vancouver's Carson Graham Secondary School, succeeding Janet Warren and Peter Taylor.