With an ecclectic 5 octave range, Cath Toomey (nee Smibert,) has worked across various musical genres throughout her extensive career, managing to capture stronger operatic roles through to more gentle jazz and soulful vocals.

She’s known for her versatility and dynamic performance style which has taken her around the world.

The Eastside Belles do The Andrew Sisters

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She recently returned to Australia after being based in Europe for over 7 years where she fronted various Jazz, blues and Funk bands, held leading roles in a variety of touring musicals – (co-writing and directing one which toured France and Germany) – as well as co-ordinating opera and gospel music at the Vatican and key European Cathedral events.  Her musical roles are as versatile as her voice, playing characters out of Cabaret (QMT 2010); My Fair Lady; Pirates of Penance; Fame; West Side Story; Hans Christian Anderson and many more.

Though having studied singing under a variety of European Gurus, as well as training classically at Sydney’s Conservatorium of music, her natural ability for music was first fostered by her.

Cath as Nancy with an ‘Oliver’ Orphan

While she plays a number of instruments, primarily training as a pianist (AMEB) & violinist (Suzuki), Catherine’s primary love is singing and dancing.

She attended Sydney’s MacDonald Performing Arts College for Dancing and Acting, was part of the comedic character performers in DRAMAC with Chris Lily and has worked in and on a series of films.

“As Long as He Needs Me” – as Nancy in Oliver