Cathy's love for percussion began in the fifth grade, and continues to this day.  Her percussion instructors at South Dakota State University, Brookings, include James McKinney, G. Tracy Tyler, and Roger Faulmann.  Following college, Cathy was principal percussionist/timpanist with the South Dakota Symphony, and timpanist/mallet percussionist with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band through the mid-1980's, then went on to perform with other orchestras and bands in Minnesota and Iowa.  She performed as timpanist/mallet percussionist with The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge, IA from 1997-2015, and also played for many other local musical productions in the Fort Dodge area.  Cathy frequently performs as a percussionist at handbell events, presents classes in percussion education, and leads drum circles.