We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katherine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katherine below.

Katherine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my upcoming album, which is my second full-length record, following Engaging the Muse (2009), the Chasing Shadows EP (2013), and a series of singles released from 2018 to the present. I’ve been writing and recording original music since I was 16 (so more than 25 years now) and this project feels like both a return and a reckoning.

Earlier this year, on January 21, I lost my dad. He wasn’t the only person who encouraged me to sing, but he was my biggest fan from the very beginning. My debut was at age eight, singing “A Whole New World” and in many ways, that’s exactly what he helped me discover. He took me to my first recording sessions, introduced me to doo-wop legends, and shared stories that shaped how I hear and feel music. He didn’t play or sing himself, but he loved music deeply and passed that love on to me.

Through his favorites (Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, James Taylor, and The Band)music became our shared language. “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones was one of our songs, and seeing them together on their 40 Licks tour remains one of my most treasured memories.

This album was born out of grief, reflection, and profound change. Losing my dad, navigating our relationship in hindsight, and letting go of my childhood home. The songs explore what I’ve learned about love, legacy, and growing up, often long after you think you already have. My muse returned with clarity and purpose, and I felt called to listen.

I’m releasing the first single, “Tell You When You’re Older,” on the anniversary of my dad’s passing, the same day I’ll launch my first crowdfunding campaign in over a decade. It feels full circle. This project is fueled by memory, community, and gratitude, and it honors a father who believed in music’s power to heal, inspire, and connect.

This one’s for him.

Kat Spina 💙

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Kat Spina. I’m a singer-songwriter who has been singing since the age of eight, when I performed “A Whole New World” and truly discovered mine. That moment set everything in motion. I began taking music lessons immediately after that performance and never stopped. I still work with a vocal coach to this day! Music has always been both my passion and my discipline.

I recorded my first studio album, Engaging the Muse, in 2009 at The Loft Studio in Bronxville, followed by the Chasing Shadows EP in 2013 and a series of singles released from 2018 to the present. Along the way, I hosted a limited-series podcast called Engaging the Muse, focused on creative process. At 41, I feel like I’m creating from a deeper, more honest place than ever before.

What sets me apart is my ability (and willingness) to truly listen to my muse. Early in my career, my writing centered on firsthand experiences, early love, and observing the world. Over time, my songs have evolved to explore deeper themes like love, loss, grief, and the complexities of growing up. Losing my father profoundly shaped my recent work, pushing me to write with greater clarity, vulnerability, and intention.

Collaboration has also played a major role in my growth. Working with professional songwriters has helped me expand melodically and structurally, allowing me to experiment while staying rooted in strong storytelling. My music lives in the pop space, but it’s driven by clever lyrics, vivid imagery, and emotional honesty. At its core, my mission is to bring people together, uplift listeners, and remind them they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.

Beyond performing and recording, I’m passionate about supporting other artists. I completed Entrepreneur Ready, a business program sponsored by Westchester County, which helped me develop a course called The Art of the Voice. The course is designed to help young artists and emerging singers understand both the creative and practical sides of the music industry. I’ve presented the course at Mercy University and look forward to partnering with local music schools and colleges to offer the modules, with plans to expand it into an online course in late 2026.

In addition, I’ve collaborated with a designer to create a merchandise line that reflects my values as an artist. It’s intentionally universal (fun, expressive, and welcoming) whether or not someone is familiar with my music. The goal is to create artist merchandise that feels inclusive and joyful, not exclusive.

What I’m most proud of is my perseverance and honesty. I continue to balance my creative life with a full-time office administration role, while consistently writing, recording, and producing original music shows, often built around a theme or purpose. Several of my songs are now cataloged with publishing companies, with hopes for future TV and film placements.

No matter where I am in life, music grounds me. Singing gets me through. Sharing stories gets me through. And if my work helps others feel seen, connected, or uplifted along the way, then I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

That’s a great question, and one I thought about often during the pandemic while launching my podcast, Engaging the Muse, which explored creativity, process, and the nonlinear nature of an artist’s journey.

Creativity shows up in many forms. It can live in cooking a meal, solving a problem at work, or communicating an idea in a new way. My own path hasn’t been linear. I’ve been a teacher, a barista and held several professional roles outside of music. All of those experiences have strengthened my creativity, not diluted it.

The insight I’d offer is this: don’t discount what you’re naturally good at. Creativity isn’t a title. It’s a way of thinking, adapting, and expressing yourself. When you allow yourself to recognize that, it can be both grounding and incredibly empowering.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Yes, absolutely. Several books have deeply influenced my entrepreneurial thinking and continue to shape how I approach both my career and creative life. One of the earliest and most impactful was The War of Art. It helped me understand discipline, resistance, and the importance of showing up for your work, even when inspiration feels elusive.

The Alchemist also left a lasting impression on me. Its message about trusting the journey and not giving up on a dream resonated deeply, especially during moments when the path forward wasn’t clear. More recently, Mental Toughness from Harvard Business Review has been incredibly helpful, particularly in reinforcing the value of resilience, adaptability, and long-term focus.

Beyond books, my entrepreneurial mindset has been shaped by real-world experience. Working for small businesses taught me how to manage finances, communicate effectively, stay self-directed, and remain disciplined while learning my craft. Entrepreneurship, to me, is about holding a larger vision while staying committed to the small, daily actions required to get there, and having the courage to lead while staying balanced.

I’ve also found inspiration in The Meaning of Mariah Carey, which offered valuable insight into navigating the music industry as both an artist and a businessperson. It was powerful to read about a performer who understands songwriting, publishing, and ownership, while also navigating personal challenges with honesty and strength.

All of these resources have reinforced the same idea for me: entrepreneurship is something you can learn, practice, and grow into, especially when you’re willing to stay disciplined, curious, and true to your purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katspinamusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katspinaofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-spina/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/katspina

Image Credits

Peter Freed (all photos)