Catherine Reaves – Violinist, Contractor & Consultant
Cathy Reaves
Catherine (Cathy) Reaves started her violin studies at the age of 10 in DeLand, Florida. As there was no public school string program offered, she began her orchestral training with the Stetson University Orchestra at the age of 11. This opportunity fostered her desire to pursue a career as an orchestral violinist. She attended Stetson University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1976, having served as concertmaster for the university orchestra her Junior and Senior years. Cathy received her Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Northern Colorado in 1978. The next two years were spent in Belo Horizonte, Brazil as a member of the Orquestra Sinfonica de Minas Gerais.
Moving to Oklahoma City in 1981, Cathy joined the Oklahoma Symphony as an extra musician and established a private violin studio. She began playing with the Lawton Philharmonic in1982 and won the position of Principal Second Violin in 1984. Since 1989 with the founding of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Cathy has been seated on the first stand of Second Violins. In that position, Cathy has continued the long tradition of writing the performance date on each piece of music the Philharmonic performs. Cathy also serves as Principal Second Violin with the Norman Philharmonic and has been a member of the Lyric Theatre orchestra since 1989. In addition to her busy performing schedule, Cathy also maintains a studio of gifted young violinists.
Cathy is proud of the role the Mid-America String Quartet has played in the Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s “We’ve Got Rhythm” program since 1996. This educational program helps introduce local school children to classical music with visits by the quartet to area elementary schools.
Cathy has been a member of the Mid-America String Quartet since the mid-1980’s, performing alongside her husband Mike. In addition to her role as a violinist, Cathy has also served behind the scenes, for many years, assisting Mike with the business end of the quartet. With Mike’s retirement, Cathy has assumed the position of contractor and consultant and is looking forward to her duties as the contact person for the quartet.
Moving to Oklahoma City in 1981, Cathy joined the Oklahoma Symphony as an extra musician and established a private violin studio. She began playing with the Lawton Philharmonic in1982 and won the position of Principal Second Violin in 1984. Since 1989 with the founding of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Cathy has been seated on the first stand of Second Violins. In that position, Cathy has continued the long tradition of writing the performance date on each piece of music the Philharmonic performs. Cathy also serves as Principal Second Violin with the Norman Philharmonic and has been a member of the Lyric Theatre orchestra since 1989. In addition to her busy performing schedule, Cathy also maintains a studio of gifted young violinists.
Cathy is proud of the role the Mid-America String Quartet has played in the Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s “We’ve Got Rhythm” program since 1996. This educational program helps introduce local school children to classical music with visits by the quartet to area elementary schools.
Cathy has been a member of the Mid-America String Quartet since the mid-1980’s, performing alongside her husband Mike. In addition to her role as a violinist, Cathy has also served behind the scenes, for many years, assisting Mike with the business end of the quartet. With Mike’s retirement, Cathy has assumed the position of contractor and consultant and is looking forward to her duties as the contact person for the quartet.
