Meet Catherine Magarino | MBA, Singer, Songwriter, Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine Magarino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
As a singer, songwriter, and actor I am inspired by human resilience. I am inspired by love and all that comes with it. Love is the driving force behind so many other complex emotions and life experiences: heartbreak, betrayal, unrequited feelings…happiness, marriage, partnership…grief, pain, despair…joy, peace. Expressing these emotions through art and storytelling is very inspiring for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart is my versatility with different art forms. I enjoy performing classical music and musical theatre, but I am also a songwriter. I also play instruments, and use the piano and guitar extensively in my songwriting. It would be inauthentic of me to deny any aspect of my artistry as I believe they all tie into one another. I love opera because of the emphasis on the beauty and skill of the voice. I love musical theatre because of the emphasis on storytelling. In my songwriting and recording, I like to incorporate these elements while also emphasizing poetry. It’s important for me to maintain that “relatable” aspect which I think is what connects so many people to pop music and singer-songwriters. For me, “relatable” means honest, which is why I draw from real life experiences and the stories I’ve heard all around me.

I want my audience to experience all that I have to offer as an artist in a diverse, holistic way. People enjoy many different types of music, and if I as an artist enjoy performing opera, musical theatre, and pop, then why not share that with the world? I think I am most proud of my original compositions because they are so personal to me, and came to me so organically and originally. It is a special gift.

The only easy part of my journey has been following my heart and working with other amazing, talented artists. Collaboration is really key to achieving goals. I can attribute my success to hard work, dedication, determination, and lots and lots of learning. I also believe in the importance of being a good colleague: don’t flake, show up on time, study and practice your materials beforehand (whether that be music, a script, or choreography), and respect people. Most of all, be open to learning and maintain a humble attitude. There’s something to learn from everyone. The most experienced professional can teach you just as much as the person who’s just starting out. I’ve always loved the principle of “If you’re the smartest, most talented, or most successful person in a room, you’re in the wrong room.” I’ve also worked on overcoming my fear of failure and knowing that a closed door is really just a sign that something better is coming in the future.

I want the world to know I’m really trying to make a difference with my art. There’s so much negativity in the world, but art and creativity can combat that. I hope people can listen to my music and feel like they’re not alone. I hope my music brings people comfort and connection.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 we would most definitely go to the beach! Living so close to the beautiful South Florida beaches is such a luxury. We also have the best Cuban food, so let’s try some of that! We’ll go to the famous Versailles restaurant. Day 2 if the weather permits, let’s go to Venetian Pool. We’ll explore Coral Gables and maybe do some shopping or lunch on Miracle Mile. Day 3, we’ll take a drive down to Homestead to Robert Is Here, farm and fruit stand. They have the most unique fruits, yummy milkshakes, and a little farm to see animals. Day 4 will be entirely dedicated to Wynwood, seeing the beautiful Wynwood Walls and exploring the restaurants and nightlife. Day 5 let’s go to the Everglades. We can do an airboat ride, or bike riding in Shark Valley. Day 6- I’d love to show my friend Lagniappe and see what live music is playing there. I love hearing local Miami talent. Our last Day 7 would be spent at Key Biscayne. It’s an amazing area, and Crandon Park Beach is so peaceful. We can end the trip with a seafood dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my Shoutout to Sebastian Hernandez, my fiancé and partner in life and music. We make magic together when we perform on stage and have co-written beautiful music together, including my most recent single “Something Pretty” and a holiday single “Winter Time Blues.” (Available on all streaming platforms!) He also happens to be the best music therapist in the entire world.

Website: https://www.catherinemagarino.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinemagarino

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinemagarino

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.magarino/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/catherinemagarino

Other: Tiktok: @catherinemagarino

Image Credits
Javier Contreras, Gerard Ortega, Jessica Amores-Diaz, James White III