A Life of Artistry in Action
Service: Kathryn’s early career was in public service — working in teen pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, and emergency preparedness. These experiences exposed her to human vulnerability and resilience, shaping her commitment to spiritual tools that empower people in real-life challenges.
Scholarship: Kathryn holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Spiritual Traditions and Ethics, giving her a strong academic foundation for her spiritual work. This balance of intellectual rigor and soulful practice adds credibility and depth to her offerings.
Spiritual Authority:As a Licensed Spiritual Practitioner with the Centers for Spiritual Living, Kathryn is trained in ethical spiritual counseling, confidentiality, and the art of Spiritual Mind Treatment. Her role is not only to support individuals but to uphold a sacred standard of trust
and integrity.
Through the Cosmos series, my love for the Universe exploded exponentially, along with my heart, and I felt a new openness to infinite possibilities. I have joyously wedded my passions of spirituality, artistry, and the Universe in my professional spiritual guidance. It is my truest calling revealed through a lifelong path, and shining forth through Richer Within!
Music is a lifelong love of mine.
I first sat at the piano bench when I was seven years young; my father taught me classical music. I played flute in band, accompanied choirs and soloists on the piano, and chose jazz band keyboards over the dreaded marching band hat. In my junior year I was encouraged to enter the Miss Helena Pageant, where I won the best performance award for my classical piano piece (which made up for nearly falling over at the front of the stage in my swimsuit and newly acquired high heels). I led campfire songs on a guitar, and noodled around on the harmonica in the summertime. I performed on keyboards for a country rock band. I took two years of undergraduate studies in Bozeman and Missoula, Montana, majoring in piano performance. I played the noon carillons and often wondered if anyone noticed Supertramp, Chicago, and Kansas ringing across the campus.
Awaken the Healing Artist
As an artist, I know the power that creative arts have to heal, unite, and open hearts…starting with our own. We have a unique way of expanding people’s consciousness through our messages and feeling-tones. I also understand the challenges of creating and performing. How, when I am not in that place of alignment, I struggle. I become snagnated; I lose motivation and lack inspiration.
When I realign with my essence, when I turn to that richer place within, I once again am the clear instrument through which inspiration flows with ease. This is the guidance I offer you…realignment to YOU.
Music Enlivened
In 1983 I left my piano studies to explore life in the Big Apple, staying with a high school friend who managed Electric Lady Recording Studio in Greenwich Village. My dream was to be one of the first famous rock and roll keyboardists; I went home to Montana with a pair of white leather moccasins from a Darryl Hall & John Oates roadie. After moving solo to Portland in 1985 in a U-Haul truck with car in tow, I joined Napolean’s Mistress (History article, Two Louies Magazine), cut an album, and opened for “A Flock of Seagulls” with them. In 1995 Phil and Gayle Neuman invited me to perform professionally with the Oregon Renaissance Band. I have been with them since, playing the peasant’s bagpipe, krummhorn, recorder, percussion, and spinettino. In 1998 our Italian Renaissance music repertoire brought us to Regensburg, Germany to perform at the annual International Early Music Festival. We continue playing a variety of venues across the state.
Richer Within and Transform
Throughout the peaks and deserts of my spiritual exploring, I absolutely believed in and felt a Presence beyond myself, yet as close as my own heartbeat (and still do). In 2011, I was led to a wonderful, long-sought spiritual community at the Portland Center for Spiritual Living. Its philosophy and way of life resonated deeply with me. It was a coming-home that brought together all my prior spiritual beliefs, experiences, and meanderings into a cohesive, powerful and practical way of being. In 2016, after rigorous study and only two existential crises, I was licensed by the Centers for Spiritual Living as a Spiritual Practitioner. Simultaneously, I was delving into the Cosmos series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. I have always reveled in nature’s beauty and impact and felt deeply connected to it.
“The same way a
song can shift a room, a single new thought can shift a life.” needs. — Kathryn Richer
Thunder and Lightning
I was born in a thunderstorm in Deerlodge, Montana. Like my mom in her metal bed that night with lightening flashing overhead, I feel both awed and humbled by the power of nature. That is when the Cosmos struck me as its fiery messenger. I grew up in the Episcopal Church, where I learned the value of spiritual community and ritual. Twenty-one summers at Lindisfarne Camp Marshall, Flathead Lake Montana reinforced this in a truly embodied way. I experienced daily ritual, an abundance of fun, love, joy, and hugs, and the constant embrace of the shining lake and majestic Mission Mountains. As an adult staff member I lived in a cabin with campers, serving as counselor. Those summers were profoundly influential; Flathead Lake is absolutely my spiritual geographic home.
Enter Music
Music is a consistent thread through my life; both the simple enjoyment of it and also playing music. I am a classically trained pianist, and perform early music professionally. I compose reflective solo piano pieces, and whimsical songs. Music is a constant and treasured companion throughout my days; all styles for all moods. I deeply value all creative artists in their ability to perceive and convey that which lies beyond the ordinary.
Poetry of Culture
I greatly value travel as a way to experience people, their cultures and the diversity of nature’s profound beauty, while also learning history, art, and the humility of being a stranger in an unknown land. It’s been my pleasure to travel within the United States, extensively in Europe, and in Mexico. Hiking in the Pacific NW is one of my favorite things to do in nearly all seasons. At 51 I sumitted Mt. St. Helens (a peak experience!). I soak up sun, watch the moon’s cycles, peer through high-powered telescopes, and ponder the Universe’s vastness beyond the Milky Way from my deck. I love creative writing, and have written scads of free-form and haiku poems.
Richer Within ~Richer Within ~
We create space to servetailored to your individual needs.
Service as a Way of Life
The bulk of my professional life was in social services, as family and crisis counselor, and then Public Health. I managed programs ranging from teen pregnancy prevention and violence prevention, to medical examiners. I specialized in regional healthcare system emergency preparedness for the final 17 years in that career.
Serving in Action
I am a lifelong spiritual seeker and constant learner. My goal is to evolve in conscious awareness and radiance until I absolutely burst, like a supernova! I evolved from my Episcopal roots to a Goddess-honoring Episcopagan. My Master’s Degree was in Spiritual Traditions and Ethics. That led to me co-teaching a Women’s Spiritual Journey in Lesvos, Greece with Carol Christ, feminist theologian. I created and led the summer retreat’s yoga, music, and dance for six years. During that time I served as a Spiritual Director in Portland. I have developed programs and taught for many groups on a multitude of topics ranging from spiritual life, haiku as spiritual practice, and embodyment, to the origins of religious and secular holidays. I have had the honor of officiating weddings, dedication ceremonies, and memorials. Yoga, meditation and affirmative consciousness anchor my spiritual practice.
Poetry of Culture
I greatly value travel as a way to experience people, their cultures and the diversity of nature’s profound beauty, while also learning history, art, and the humility of being a stranger in an unknown land. It’s been my pleasure to travel within the United States, extensively in Europe, and in Mexico. Hiking in the Pacific NW is one of my favorite things to do in nearly all seasons. At 51 I sumitted Mt. St. Helens (a peak experience!). I soak up sun, watch the moon’s cycles, peer through high-powered telescopes, and ponder the Universe’s vastness beyond the Milky Way from my deck. I love creative writing, and have written scads of free-form and haiku poems.
