Professor of Piano at Tennessee Tech, Catherine Godes holds degrees from West Virginia University and the DMA in Piano Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory, where she studied with Israeli pianist David Bar-Ilan. She was married to Latvian pianist Herman Godes, a Steinway artist and Artist-in-Residence at WVU. They formed the Godes Piano Duo and toured the U.S and Europe. Two years on the faculty of Fairmont State University were followed by the appointment to direct the Community Music Program at West Virginia University. Catherine developed a curriculum of musical education for over 400 students, founded the Community Arts Orchestra, and established the Herman and Catherine Godes Young Artist Concerto Competition.
In 1994, she accepted the appointment to head the piano program at Tennessee Tech University. She and her husband moved to Cookeville where they continued active performing and teaching careers. Catherine was the Collegiate Auditions Chair for TMTA for 7 years, and remains active as president of the local chapter. She also hosts the MTNA Fall auditions at TTU.
Since the death of her husband in 2007, Catherine continues her activities as soloist, collaborative artist, clinician and administrator. She has appeared several times as soloist with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra.
She has taught at the Governor’s School for the Arts, and is on the faculty of the Southeast Chamber Institute at TTU; a summer music camp for high school students. In October, 2008, Catherine hosted the first annual TTU Young Artist Piano Competition for high school students in honor of her husband Herman Godes. Now in its fifteenth season, the competition attracts talented students throughout the region.
Dr. Godes frequently lectures student and community organizations about her husband’s experience as an inmate in the Nazi concentration camps during World War 2. Prior to his arrest, Herman was student of legendary pianist Walter Gieseking. After four years of concentration camp, he resumed his career.