Born in D.C. and raised in Maryland, Catherine grew up with a love of the arts. She studied acting and directing at Catholic University, performed and/or directed for local theatre companies, then found her passion in working with children and youth.

Catherine taught drama classes and managed arts camps for Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince George’s Counties, and for the D.C. Department of Recreation. For eight years, she ran It’s Elementary Summer Theatre Camp. She taught after school and Saturday classes for the Kennedy Center Programs for Children and Youth, Washington International School, and the JCC of Greater Washington. 

In addition to teaching, Catherine loves to create arts events; among her proudest accomplishments are the annual D.C. SWAN  (Support Women Artists Now) Day, the 2010 N.E.A. Big Read  program, and several Banned Book Week Read-Outs . 

Catherine has served as Executive Director, Development Manager, and Education Manager at several arts and education non-profits in the Washington, D.C. area, including Pyramid Atlantic and Alexandria’s Athenaeum. She is excited to join the artists and teachers at CHAW, and become part of this community that brings the arts to so many people.  Catherine lives in Arlington with her husband, actor Terence Aselford.