cat-chiappa-creative
cat-chiappa-creative

“We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams”

– Arthur O’Shaunessy

cat-my-story

My name is Cat, and I am an educator, an artist, and a creative storyteller. I love to travel, sing on stage, adventures with my kids, tacos, and peanut butter M & Ms. I do not enjoy mushrooms, but that’s OK, it means there’s more for you! I have a big heart, laugh whenever possible, and I LOVE telling stories, so let’s jump down the rabbit hole together and explore some of my favorites. Go on…I dare you!

about me

“You’re mad bonkers, completely off your head. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

       -Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

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Well-Meaning Stranger: “Where did you get your red hair from?” Precocious Toddler: “Recessive genes” Ok, to be fair I used to answer a strawberry and a tulip, but eventually that got old. So, my parents told me to say recessive genes instead. It’s amazing how quickly someone will walk away when faced with a four-year-old rattling off biology terms at them! I of course had no idea what blue jeans had to do with my hair, but it did the job, so I just rolled with it!
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I fell in love with music at an early age and usually wasn’t seen far from a piano. I loved to sit and gently press each key, never banging loudly, the loud banging came later when I took up percussion in high school!
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Oh don’t laugh, I know you have outfits like this from your childhood as well. This may shock you, but you should know I put that entire outfit together myself for the first day of what I think was 7th grade. Don’t be jealous...I’m sure if you time travel back to JCPenney in the early 90s you can pick up one for yourself. In case there was any doubt in your mind that I grew up in the 80s and 90s, here is your proof!
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When I was five I was the worst singer in my Kindergarten class because I didn’t differentiate singing and shouting. Luckily I figured it out and ended up graduating high school with the National Choral award, and studied music and theatre in college. I still have a big voice, but I don’t shout anymore...usually. I love playing comedic character roles, or conniving villains the most, because they always have the most fun and get the best songs!
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One of my favorite questions to ask kids is “what do you want to be when you grow up?” They always have the best answers. When I was little my answer was a ballet dancer at night and a grocery clerk by day. I had it all figured out, though I have not pursued either of those professions thus far.
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My mom is a brilliant artist, though she’ll never describe herself that way, but that’s OK because I always do! For more than 20 years she created quilts for a living blending colors and patterns together to bring warmth and comfort to others. Today she loves to take pictures like I do, but while my passion is sharing the stories of people through my lens, she often ventures out before the people are awake, so they don’t sully her beautiful landscapes! 😉
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When I was little my dad used to take me flying. He loves airplanes more than anyone else I know and always wanted to fly them. When he was young he wasn’t allowed to fly commercially because he wore glasses, but he still found other ways to get up in the air. In the summer of 2001 he finally realized his dream of flying for a commercial airline. Guess they figured out that if your glasses fall off in the cockpit you can just lean over and quickly pick them up. Who knew?
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Every so often my dad will send me interesting newspaper articles we call dadgrams. In 2008 he sent me one about a woman in Namibia who started a wildlife sanctuary called Harnas. At the end of the article it had information about volunteering. Boy was he surprised when I told him I was going after graduate school! At Harnas I fell in love with bat eared foxes and they remain one of my all time favorite animals today. I dream of going back to scratch their bellies, and hear their growly snorts!
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Life Lesson: When having a campout with a cheetah, don’t expect to get a good night’s sleep because they purr like a car engine, steal the covers and hog the sleeping mat! Pride and Cleo were two cheetahs I had the pleasure of caring for during my time in Namibia. They had been taken out of a harmful situation when they were younger, raised around humans, and were curious and affectionate with adults, so much so that we were able to spend a night in their enclosure, which was one of the most unique and amazing experiences I have ever had.
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I met my husband my first week of college in August of 1998. We went on one date my freshman year and then were friends off and on throughout college. At one point he made me so mad I swore I would never ever date him again sooooo...I married him instead! Funny how life works sometimes isn’t it? We’ve been married for 15 years, have gone on incredible adventures around the world and produced two of the most kindhearted and entertaining kids we know, so I guess it’s a good thing I changed my mind!
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I am a voracious reader who dreams of travel, often choosing the destination based on the animals I can find there. Before our kids were born I discovered this incredible elephant sanctuary and rehab center in Thailand that rescues and cares for Asian elephants. I have loved elephants ever since I was a little girl so having an opportunity to learn and care for them for 24 hours was a dream come true!
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I had the privilege of working at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for over a decade delivering and developing programs, managing amazing people, and getting to know some wonderful animals. I fell in love with the penguins and gained such an appreciation for their funny personalities and soap opera level relationship drama. I particularly enjoyed the guest conversations heard around the exhibit as they observed the penguin antics. One of my all time favorites would have to be from an older couple who, after spying two penguins in a compromising position said “Oh look, they’re doing chiropractics!” Sure, we’ll go with that..;-)
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These two make me laugh every single day. They are wild and crazy and funny and silly and have the biggest hearts. My husband and I are both only children so having two kids is a bit of a science experiment but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

My Why

Children are natural born storytellers filled with wonder, boldly following their curiosity without fear of failure or judgement. But, the journey to adulthood is filled with twists and turns, and it can be easy to lose sight of the stories that we once held so dear.

I tell stories because I believe in magic, and there’s always room for a little more magic in the world. You just have to know where to look.

I’m here to help you discover your untold story, and give you the tools to share it effectively. Everything you do is part of a unique story that has only ever been lived by you.  We all have a story to share, and everyone deserves a chance to be heard.

Brand Values

I believe in:

  • The Power of Story to Change the World: Everyone has a story to tell and we all deserve a chance to be heard.
  • Joyful Learning: The process of learning should be forged with curiosity, driven by discovery, and fueled with inspiration so big you can’t help but share it with others.
  • Organized Efficiency: Life is too short to waste time on things that don’t excite you. By creating strong systems and processes, there is more time to follow the opportunities that ignite your passion.
  • Dreaming Big: The dreams are always there waiting to come true, you just have to be brave enough to listen.
  • Curating a Lifetime of Memories: Life is full of adventures big and small, and finding ways to creatively capture and share those moments are something you’ll never regret.
  • Authentic Connection: As humans, we are wired to connect with others, and I strive to help people share heart-centered stories, and cultivate authentic relationships that last.
Explore
Contact
  • catchiappacreative@gmail.com
  • (206) 657-6027
  • Seattle, WA

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© 2024 Cat Chiappa Creative. All Rights Reserved.

 Website by Help With Your Hustle

Explore
Contact
  • catchiappacreative@gmail.com
  • (240) 888-1403
  • Seattle, WA

Sign up for my newsletter!

Linkedin Instagram Vimeo
Explore
Contact
  • catchiappacreative@gmail.com
  • (240) 888-1403
  • Seattle, WA

Sign up for my newsletter!

Linkedin Instagram Vimeo
© 2024 Cat Chiappa Creative. All Rights Reserved.

Website by Help With Your Hustle