Kate Torralba started singing in Cebu at two years old. A music-loving aunt taught her how to sing, and the household help's devotion to FM radio had her build a repertoire quite early.

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Kate's fascination with the piano was awakened at four years old: several family members took lessons at home, all studying the same piece, 'Moon River'. One day she supposedly just went up to the keys and played it.

She finally begun classical piano training at 7 under Ms. Lygia Ibanez, directress of the elementary school where she studied (St. Benedict's Childhood Education Centre). Early on she favored the languid romanticism of Chopin.

By the time she turned 9, Kate was flown to the U.S. to perform at a concert for Filipino child prodigies. An opportunity for a piano scholarship was turned down as her family would not have her live overseas at such a young age.

Disenchanted by missing her lunch hours at school and grueling piano training, Kate turned to her brother's New Wave music and later on discovered alternative rock. By 13, she gave up on her piano studies.

She picked up the electric guitar and with her close buddies formed a grunge band called X. A local music school formed a high school girl group called The Outskirts where she played the keyboards and sung vocals as well.

Upon high school graduation, Kate fronted a pop-alternative rock act named Hard Candy (which today, coincidentally, is the name of Madonna's latest album). It would later on gain a solid following in her hometown Cebu as the band raked in 5 victories at the 1st San Miguel Cebu Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Song of the Year (Freefall, which she co-wrote with the band), Female Vocalist of the Year and Listener's Choice. Kate would also gain popularity for the outfits she designed and wore onstage - a portent of her future as a fashion designer.

The band won a recording contract which was unfortunately shelved when Kate moved to Manila to pursue a year-long media relations stint at the Philippine Senate (under female legislator Loren Legarda).

In 2002, Kate received her big break in the local fashion industry and started what would become the successful Kate Torralba label (see KT: Kate Torralba Designs page). Simultaneously, she begun gigging in the big city, notably at the now-defunct artist's haven Sanctum Intramuros, and Pipers in Makati (where she performed with guitar greats Mike Villegas of Rizal Underground, Ian Umali of P.O.T., and Perf de Castro).

Through the years, Kate's solo piano act which brings to mind the likes of Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, has slowly and surely gained a cult following in Manila. She does her renditions of a wide range of songs: from 90's rock anthems like Pearl Jam's Jeremy and Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun, to folk (Joni Mitchell), New Wave (The Cure), and standards (Judy Garland) - and her distinctive piano style makes them her own.

2008 marks a breakthrough for the solo artist: Finally she conquers her shyness of her own songwriting with a self-produced EP entitled 'Long Overdue'. Her melancholy, soulful music may be the antithesis of her fashion (which has been dubbed as 'mainstream'), but they are equally defining facets of her persona.

For latest news, updates and gig schedules, add her on the following sites:

- http://www.facebook.com/katetorralba

- http://www.twitter.com/katetorralba

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