I have had the great fortune to work with Susan on multiple wonderful occasions, but one which stands out the most was our eight-week conversation last year during the pandemic summer. I had been working to develop a curriculum for my collegiate students in community outreach for young artists and had hit a giant wall. I was going nowhere. As I knew Susan to be both a passionate advocate and expert in community/arts engagements and also a highly successful practitioner, I was certain she was the right mentor for me. Over our two-month-long weekly meetings, my certainty was borne out. Susan was the best kind of mentor; she was expertly knowledgeable, organized, flexible, listened to my needs and when she didn’t know an answer, she had it for me by our next session. Through my work with her, I was able to develop a solid base structure of what I’m sure will flourish into a meaningful on-the-ground experience for our young artists. In fact, despite Covid (which necessarily limited our community interactions), I have already used many of her ideas in my work and look forward to applying more in the coming post-pandemic years.

Susan is a brilliant, compassionate person, one of those unique artists who understand that we are needed in our communities, and is always looking for ways to connect with people in joyous and often profound ways. If you have something you need to be solved, call her. If you want a person with whom to throw around ideas with wonderful results, call her. Or, if you just need the comfort and joy that a highly talented, deeply caring artist can bring, call her. Your life will be changed for the better!

Gayle Shay, DMA Associate Professor of Voice, Director Vanderbilt Opera Theatre Chair, Voice Department Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Susan has become an indispensable part of my artistic life. She has given me the tools and technique I need to sing in a healthy way while engaging the mind, heart, and spirit. She seems to know everything there is to know about the human voice and has been at home working on classical, art songs, musical theater, and folk with me. I’m so grateful I found her.

Hollye Hudson, Actress and Singer

Kane’s thoughtful yet disciplined approach as outlined in The 21st Century Singer, encourages the kind of self-reflection and creativity that, at the very least, can lend direction and big-picture perspective to career goals while also rekindling a love of singing.

Brian Manternach, Classical Singer Magazine

"Susan brings an energetic, warm, and thoughtful musical perspective to each performance. Not only is she a fine musician, but she is also a joy to work and collaborate with.”

Annemarie Guzy, Cuddle Concerts Artistic Director and Creator and Riverside Unified School District Arts Specialist

“Hi, my name is Daniel Whitlow, I’m 39 years old and I served 22 years in prison. I had the great privilege to meet and work with Susan Kane and her graduate students in 2019. We collaborated on a musical score for the Words Uncaged play “If Freedom was a Mile Away” This experience was important to me because as a self-taught musician and solitary song-writer, I had reached a point in my development where I no longer felt inspired to write or even play at times. There was a stagnancy in my life; musical and otherwise. Once we embarked on this project and the ideas began to flow, my creativity ignited. Several different pieces of original music coalesced in my mind and onto paper. The project rekindled my inspiration and within a few days I had written several new pieces – all of which became songs that contribute to my life in positive ways. From the isolated perspective of the incarcerated, the power of human connection and artistic expression in any form cannot be understated. Through our expressions, we better understand ourselves and find the beauty within. This experience reminded me why I love music – because it unites my mind, heart, and spirit. I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to work with Susan and her grad students. It truly was an honor. Thank you.”

Daniel Whitlow

Susan Mohini Kane is strong, intelligent and empathetic with all living things… She is a professional with impressive and consistent success. We write together and learn from each other. I’m not fond of teaching one on one, but with Susan, it’s learning together. We’re the students and the teachers, and we are colleagues.

I met Susan in about 1976 when she was a junior in high school. She has never changed. Her path was difficult at times. She never lacked ability or dedication. She is, for me, completely trustworthy in every way. I know that this project we’re working on is important to her because she believes, as I do, that what we plan to offer will be helpful to people. It’s a way of combining our gifts and giving our gift to understand the power of music and the blessing it is.

Susan loves people, and she is entirely loveable.

Rich McKinney, Susan’s High School Choir Director and Co-Creator

“Thank you, Dr. Kane, for your generosity and support, but most of all for teaching the new generation about inclusion… Thank you for bringing music to our hearts and the hearts of people with disabilities. Our community is really appreciative of what you do. Thank you for planting the seeds of inclusion in your own students and for helping us with your leadership to teach them about inclusion. Thank you, Dr. Kane, for making a more inclusive society and for helping us with our mission to bring public awareness, recognition, and appreciation to the special needs community. Thank you for being there for us.”

Michael Dergar, CEO & Founder of the Academy of Special Dreams (Alhambra, CA)

“Susan Kane is a constant source of inspiration. I found a teacher who was a real mentor and life coach to me… she really saw something in me besides my voice and abilities on stage, and while she convinced me I was too talented NOT to pursue a career in classical singing.. she also knew there was a lot more for me to do. She encouraged my composing and songwriting and came to a bunch of my shows at bars (which I’m not sure she liked very much). In a round-about way, she sorta gave me the “permission” and courage to do what I really wanted to do. What a strange thing to say… but it’s true.”

Joseph Garate, tenor student.

“Crystal clear voice and impeccable technique.”

LA Cutlure Spot