A double and electric bassist from Richmond, Virginia, Cate Yoder learns about the world through exploring, inventing, and performing a multitude of genres and strives to put her foot in the door of male dominated field. She is currently attending Berklee College of Music as performance major and film scoring minor. Cate Yoder started on double bass at age 11 and shortly after picked up electric bass to play in local jazz and rock bands. She studied classical music throughout high school, earning 1st chair for 3 consecutive years through the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra and 3rd chair in All Virginia State Orchestra. She stayed active in her community by playing with the Short Pump Symphonette performing for libraries and nursing homes and she co-directed a live performance called “Raising Voices” to spread awareness about human trafficking and advocating for The Prevention Project.

She received a full tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music and is currently earning her Bachelors in Music in Performance with a Film Scoring Minor. Since starting college, Cate Yoder has performed with symphonies and house shows alike, some of which include Jordan Hall in Boston, MA with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra featuring artists such as Susan Hagen, Joe Lovano, and Ron Carter, Punk Flea Market in Seattle, Washington with the band Fatal Femmes, Mercury Lounge and Brandy Melville in New York City with bands Smilley and Alma Solano + The Soulmates. She’s performed for Radio and live radio shows including Post Adolescent Glow, WMFO 95.1 FM, through Tuffs and a live show for the anniversary of WLZY 91.5 FM, the oldest radio station run by a historically women’s college at Wesley College. She is a member of the Women’s Film Initiative at Berklee, where she connects with other female and non-binary aspiring film-composers. Her original score was selected to be performed by string and woodwind players organized by WFI at The Loft at Berklee.

Cate Yoder works as a session musician/accompanist for Berklee through the Film Scoring and Vocal Departments. She also has worked on numerous sessions and releases outside of Berklee’s curriculum with artists of all genres. After recording music with groups like Berklee Motion Picture Orchestra, Juno Myers, Ari Sage, Angelina Cara and releasing her first solo-artist single called Consequences of a Green Diet  in January, Cate Yoder is working on a double single as well as an EP with the band Raccoon Road as a bassist and vocalist. This upcoming spring, she will be accompanying Smilley on their 7 show East Coast Tour, called “The Farewell Tour.”