Taina Kataja, soprano, has received critical acclaim for her performance of repertoire ranging from medieval through twentieth century music. Ms. Kataja has been a top prize winner in numerous vocal competitions in her native Finland and in Sweden. She earned several diplomas with distinction from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna where she was a pupil of Kmsgr. Prof. Hans Hotter. Among her many teachers in a masterclass setting is Gérard Souzay.

Ms. Kataja has been featured in major festivals throughout Europe and as soloist with the Clemencic Consort of Vienna, Musica Antiqua Vienna, Les Menestrels, Cantores Minores of Helsinki, The Helsinki Philharmonic, The Finnish Radio Symphony, and the Niederösterreichisches Tonkünstler-Orchester in Austria among others. She has produced and performed programs for the Finnish National Radio and the Finnish Television, the Österreichischer Rundfunk in Austria, as well as the Hessischer Rundfunk and Westdeutscher Rundfunk in Germany. She has recorded for FINNVOX, Telefunken-Decca, and Mirror Music of Austria.

In addition to serving on the voice faculty at the Mason Gross School of the Arts of Rutgers University, Ms. Kataja is also on the faculty of the Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium in Spoleto, Italy. Ms. Kataja continues to be an active performer. Her recent engagements include performances under the auspices of the Finnish-American Society in New York City, soprano solos in Bach's St. John Passion, recitals in New York City, Finland, and Rutgers University, as well as a recording of music by American composers Ned Rorem and John Duke for the Finnish National Radio.

Ms. Kataja is active as a member of the New Jersey chapter of NATS (the National Association of Voice Teachers) and has served a term as the chapter's Vice President. She has presented workshops on "How To Sing in Finnish" at the NATS National Conference in Philadelphia in July, 2000, and at the Fifth International Congress of Voice Teachers (5ICVT) in August, 2001, in Helsinki, Finland, where she shared the podium with such notables as Birgit Nilsson and Jorma Hynninen, among others.

When not teaching or performing, Ms. Kataja enjoys spending time with her husband, Frederick Urrey, their two daughters, and a cocker spaniel, Daisy. She likes crafts, cooking, winter, and cross country skiing.