Mentoring

I have been a mentor / coach for the Bath Spa University poetry team for inter-university competition UniSlam and VARSITY for the past five years. I love supporting new artists, helping them find a broad range of influences to study, working on finessing performance and writing skills, and directing them to potential publications, competitions and opportunities that are relevant to their path as an artist.

I have had the privilege of being mentored by Kathryn over the past year and a half. In that time, my writing has transformed. Kathryn is a supportive, patient and incredibly highly skilled teacher, I have learned more from her than I have anywhere else. Kathryn’s passion for poetry is something she consistently passes on to her students, who regularly cite her input on their own successes. I would recommend Kathryn’s mentoring to poets of all levels.”

Emma Taylor

(coached for two years for UniSlam preparation)


“My experience of being mentored by Kathryn has been integral to my progression as an artist. I was coached by Kathryn as part of the Bath Spa UniSlam team in 2021 and 2022 and she was incredibly attentive to our individual strengths and abilities. The energy and care she brings to coaching is such a treat and I think the care she put into our group really showed when we got to the actual event. She is an incredibly talented coach and mentor and has such a good eye for detail. Her knowledge of poetry and slams is exceptional and she really knows how to organise a team, especially when it comes down to using spreadsheets. I have learned skills from Kathryn that I will probably use for the rest of my life, she is an exceptional human being and a wonderful poet.”

Eryn McDonald

(coached for two years for UniSlam preparation)


“Kate is an absolute powerhouse! Her commitment to help those she mentors succeed long past competitions is inspiring.Her mentorship has stretched and pushed my writing to go beyond what I ever thought it could be.She teaches performance beautifully and captures wonderful detail.I always leave sessions with Kate feeling excited and inspired to write!”

Raina Greifer

(coached for two years for UniSlam preparation)


“The most supportive mentor you could ask for, Kate is both gentle and firm with her feedback, giving constructive comments alongside enthusiastic encouragement in all our sessions. Performance is a language in which Kate is fluent and her eye for detail is impeccable, helping to craft performances into true works of art in all aspects. Kate also has an interest in progressing your career; recommending performances and competitions to take part in as well as putting you in contact with people already on the scene.”

Gem Baskerville

(coached for five months in 2020 – 2021 for UniSlam preparation)