About Kathi:

Born and raised in Southern California, Kathi Chaplar began her musical training informally while sitting on her mom's lap during choir practice, learning to read music while simultaneously learning to read.  At the age of four, she told her mom, "I'm going to play piano, and I'm going to be famous."  That was all music-educator mom needed to hear, and she promptly started piano lessons before her feet could even touch the pedals.  She was encouraged to improvise through nightly home "jam sessions" of playing duets with her dad.

Kathi has performed as a pianist and vocalist coast-to-coast, and has sung with the Pasadena Pops (dir. Rachel Worby), the Pasadena Master Chorale (dir. Jeffrey Bernstein), and at Disney Hall under the direction Gustavo Dudamel.  She also is the composer and lyricist for two original musicals:  22% Fear and A Journey of Angels.

Kathi has directed over 40 full-length musicals both in educational and regional theater.  Most recently she was the Musical Director for Promises, Promises at the Group Rep Theatre. As a high-school teacher, she has directed award-winning productions including Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and most recently Matilda, remarkably (or perhaps foolishly?) never repeating the same musical in her 30 years of tenure. Because of her rich background in educational theater (theater where one must wear many hats), she also has expertise in musical staging for non-dancers and creative solutions for scenic design.

She currently teaches AP Art History, theater, and musical theater at Crescenta Valley High School and is a Technical Associate for the Group Rep Theatre in North Hollywood where in addition to acting she has served as Musical Director and Scenic Designer.