The most successful performing artists,
athletes and business leaders
have all developed partnerships with
coaches or mentors over the years.
Testimonials
- Kate Kalin's coaching techniques have been the catalyst for a huge leap forward in
my approach to my work and how it is done. During the time she worked with me I
uncovered pitfalls in my methodology that I did not know existed.
read less These problems
were hidden and yet Kate made them obvious. Using a process of self-investigation,
I discovered my strengths and weaknesses.
She led me through a series of illuminating exercises, allowing me to think in ways I normally would not. In this way I found out what was driving me to succeed, what was holding me back, and how to circumvent the obstacles I had placed in front of myself. She also guided me towards a new work practice which is more efficient, more productive and much more likely to succeed.
Without Kate's help I don't know how I could ever have completed the work I set myself. Having worked with her, I now feel able to achieve my aims comfortably. My goals are clear and realistic, and my outlook is much more progressive and focused."
Adrian Scanlan, Writer/Comedian, Snatch Comedy, Cork City, Ireland. - Kate helped myself and my husband focus on the important issues in our relationship.
She helped us become aware of communication challenges between us and the need to resolve them
in order to progress as a couple. Kate made us face up to our financial situation.
She put us in the right frame of mind to deal with our financial dilemmas.
read less We are now prioritising our finacial security.
I used to feel alone in my worries, but after being coached my husband and I are now working
together as a couple to overcome these financial challenges.
C Murphy (pseudonym), Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland. - I am a sound engineer and musician and work on many different projects at the same time.
Going to Kate helped me to focus on what was important, to coordinate the different projects
and to prioritise the work to be done. She also helped me to push myself to get things done.
read less It’s always easy to say “I want to do this and that”
but actually doing it is a different story. Kate helped me to feel really good about myself
because I now realise that I can accomplish goals that I set myself.
Christian Martin, Sound Engineer/Musician, Heart Strings Cork, Cork City, Ireland. - In the spring of 2007, I availed of Kate Kalin's Life Coaching expertise.
Working with Kate helped me to move forward personally and professionally in
my life, as she helped me to:
- Clarify my values
- Organise my time
- Become more positive in my thinking and speaking
- Generate motivation
- Achieve my goals
- Grow as a person read less
Noel R. Marian, Composer, Cork, Ireland - I really enjoyed my sessions with Kate. She helped me to clarify and solve some
issues that had been bothering me for a long time. Kate helped me to look
within myself for the answers. read less
It was amazing how saying things out loud to Kate, in answer to her questions, made me able to really listen to myself.
I also ended up exploring other avenues of interest which I had not considered
before being coached. I want to thank her sincerely for all her help.
Tara O'Donoghue, Speech Therapy Student, Cork, Ireland. - Since I trained with Kate Kalin I am able to handle stress in positive
ways and am far more confident about presenting myself to people.
read less
I am less afraid and reserved and have more access to my internal and external resources. I am now
able to understand how my brain processes information, so that when I am stuck I
can kick-start my brain and get motivated again. After working with Kate I feel
that all goals are achievable, now that I have the knowledge of processes to help
me to get there. I have been opened up to my own possibilities and feel very positive
about my life and future.
Kirsten Corrigan, Teacher, Stratford, New Zealand. - Kate is a beautiful, passionate person whose heart is fully into giving everything
she can from her vast reserve of energy, skills and experience. Since working with
with Kate I am far more creative and assertive.read less
I am able to cope with criticism now that I am more aware of my good points. I feel free to express my emotions and
so am able to communicate more powerfully. I have become more mentally flexible and
open minded. I am much more motivated, self-aware, balanced and patient. I am
also more reliable, punctual, focused and organised. I am very excited about this
stepping stone to the great adventure which is my future.
Dave Holland, Actor, New Plymouth, New Zealand. - Kate has a lively and enquiring mind with an astute and insightful approach to
learning. She has a personal integrity which informs all aspects of her work. Kate
is a determined and single-minded person who will not be daunted by a challenge.
read less
Kate Kalin has worked with the Outreach Department of Graffiti Theatre Company on a
part-time basis since 2000 as a facilitator and director. Because of the variety of
organisations who make use of our Outreach Department our facilitators need to be
confident and flexible. Kate has a wide range of experience in facilitation and is
confident in her workshop delivery. Kate will ensure she is fully prepared and
that she has researched her target group and the subject matter completely. She is
sensitive to the needs of each group she encounters.
Geraldine O'Neill, Outreach Director, Graffiti Theatre Company,
(Theatre in Education Specialists) Cork City. - Working with Kate Kalin helped me to become more confident and able to maintain my
self-esteem even in adverse situations. I have become a better listener - to others
and to myself. read less
I have become more reliable and punctual. Kate's process helped me
to become more organised and much more motivated. Instead of becoming demoralised as
I did in the past, I am more able to solve problems. I now have pride in myself
and in what I do.
Tammy Thomson, Actor/Musician, New Plymouth, New Zealand. - It was my great pleasure to meet Kate Kalin in 1995 and observe a truly creative
and dedicated teacher at work. Kate is that rare individual who has a strength of purpose and clear focus in her
own life, yet the ability to empathise and sensitively lead people toward
their own goals of personal achievement. I have only admiration for the results I
saw her achieve.
read less
I was one of a number of part-time tutors who spent 1-2 hour sessions of specialist tuition with the students. But it was Kate who helped the students relate these subjects to their own lives, to develop their own purposes and address their own needs. Kate's ability to communicate at levels deeper than merely verbal is extraordinary and it was deeply moving to observe students gradually change from sullen to openness, from uncommunicative to positivity and from scruffy to clean and attractive.
The focus of the course was drama and yet to allow that to come to fruition the students had to master their own life skills first. But as the year progressed and improvisatory work led to a written play, so the students' sense of purpose became evident in acting and all background skills of stage management and design. Audiences appreciated the final performances, the product, but most had little awareness of the huge process which had built that production and it was Kate Kalin more than any other staff at the Performing Arts Company who achieved this result.
Gabrielle Barr, Director and Teacher, The Voice Studio,
New Plymouth, New Zealand. -
I have had the pleasure to work alongside Kate for the last couple of years.
She is a true professional with so much integrity and heart that it can become
quite humbling. Her standards of truth and diligence, her enthusiasm and directness are enjoyably infectious, especially
when ladled with lashings of good humour.
read less
Not only are Kate's interpersonal skills quite exceptional but she has creative ability in many areas. She is an accomplished
singer and performer, and what is more is able to pass these skills onto others.
Kate's organisational skills are never in doubt, and her attention to detail is
most commendable.
In my capacity as Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Company during 1994 and Artistic Director of the Taranaki School of Drama in 1995, I can totally recommend Kate as an outstanding tutor and facilitator, without reservation.
Peter Hendry, Artistic Director, Taranaki School of Performing Arts,
New Plymouth, New Zealand. -
'Voices of Cork' choir were very fortunate to find Kate. It was decided that
the group would benefit from classes to help with stage presence, improve their
self-esteem and foster personal development.
Kate had a deep knowledge of her subject and enormous experience of working with adults with all sorts of personal challenges. She proved to have all the skills to help the participants improve themselves in every way. At the same time she made the sessions fun. read less She had the flair and imagination to pick up on ideas suggested by the participants and facilitate them to develop these ideas into very effective dramatic scenes. These became part of the very highly acclaimed 'Sounds of Cork' show performed at the Cork City Hall as part of the Cork Capital of Culture celebrations.
Every member was involved. Many of them had developed sufficient self-confidence to act and speak in front of an audience of over 1000 people and the remainder provided reliable back up. Kate was the sole director of the dramatic input and she worked closely with Musical Director Padraig Wallace to produce a very polished show.
Angela Nicholls, Manager, Voices of Cork, Cork City. -
Kate worked with a group of physically disabled adults in our organisation. She
demonstrated an ability to encourage and motivate the participants from an early
stage of the process. Each meeting generated much excitement among the group.
read less
She asked our service users what themes were important to them and then found
ways of discussing and raising these issues through drama. Kate involved service
users, staff and volunteers in devising and acting out sketches. Kate continues
to visit the service users as she has a great rapport with them. She demonstrated
the ability to bring issues alive for them and empower them to express
themselves creatively.
Katherine Donovan, Training and Development Manager,
St Laurence Cheshire Home, Cork, Ireland. -
Kate Kalin trained and worked with me at the Performing Arts Company, New Plymouth
over a period of four years from January 1992-1995. Kate used her drama training
as a vehicle for the personal development and life skills that we taught.
Kate trained in accelerated learning techniques, stress management, anger management, coping with grief, conflict resolution, goal setting, group process, creative imagery, relaxation and discipline methods. During this time we also produced two plays annually as part of our student's personal development programme. Kate took over my work when I left the Performing Arts Company and continued to develop creative drama programmes for personal development and later programmes for industry based (professional actors) training. read less
Kate also trained in Educational Kinesiology (Edu-K) which uses movement to activate the brain and improve both academic and personal performance. We used Edu-K to overcome learning difficulties, increase motivation and confidence and for learning and unlearning patterns of behaviour.
While working for the Company Kate engaged in numerous workshops in the Drama field including mask-making, mime, clown, puppetry, voice, storytelling, to name a few. She also trained with Dr. Jean Houston on developing the full potential of humanity. Kate has also trained in the following physical disciplines as part of her actor training: Tai Chi, Yoga and Tae Kwon Do. She uses this training along with Edu-K when warming up her students.
As a Personal Development Tutor Kate was required to train formally and complete Adult Learning and Teaching papers. These were completed extra-murally while Kate worked full time. She wrote drama modules for her company as New Zealand moved in the N.Z Qualifications Framework and the Company was required to move into a more industry based programme. This was precise work which required evidence of all standards achieved. She also held the company together and kept the course on track when its Managing Director was ill.
Kate has many skills, high integrity and the courage to grow. She is ever ready to learn in any situation and does not get stuck in old patterns. I can confidently recommend her for anything she may wish to undertake, as not only will she give it her best, but I know she will succeed.
I have known Kate since 2002 and I can say she has an open heart, a clear head and a courageous soul.
Helene Young, Educational Kinesiologist, Personal Development Facilitator, Workplace Support Chaplain, Marriage Celebrant,
New Plymouth, New Zealand.
acumen :
keen insight; shrewdness, accuracy.
origin : [Latin acumen, from acuere, to sharpen].