Hi! I’m Katja Maria Slotte.

Creativity & Artist Mentoring

Creativity is rarely a straight path. Even the most talented and committed artists encounter periods of uncertainty, overwhelm, self-doubt, or creative stagnation. Having spent decades navigating the realities of an artistic life myself, I know that creative challenges are rarely just about talent, technique, or motivation. More often, they arise at the intersection of identity, ambition, practical realities, and the courage required to bring meaningful work into the world.

As a creativity coach and artist mentor, I support artists and creative professionals in developing sustainable, fulfilling, and authentic creative practices. Together, we create space for both reflection and action – exploring the deeper questions behind the work while also building the structures, habits, and strategies needed to move projects forward.

Some clients come to me with a specific goal: releasing an album, preparing a performance, developing a new body of work, navigating a career transition, or bringing a long-held creative vision to life. Others are seeking greater clarity, confidence, balance, or a renewed connection to their creativity after a period of burnout, doubt, or disconnection.

My approach combines creative exploration, practical guidance, and a deep understanding of the artistic process. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, I work collaboratively with each person to uncover what supports their creativity, strengthens their artistic voice, and helps them move forward in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.

Alongside my own experience as an artist, my coaching work has been informed by studies in creativity coaching and artist support, including training with Eric Maisel and participation in the ArtistsU Working Group for Artist Working Group hosts and facilitators led by Andrew Simonet, author of Making Your Life As An Artist.

At its heart, this work is about helping artists create from a place of greater freedom, trust, and intention—while building a creative life that can genuinely support the work they most want to make.

Choir & Collective Creativity

Creating and singing together with others has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my work. Over the years, I have sung in a wide range of ensembles – including choirs, vocal groups, and as a backing vocalist – and I understand both the artistry and the practical dynamics of making music as a group.

As a choir coach and facilitator, I work with vocal ensembles, choirs, and groups of singers in both artistic and educational contexts. My work includes vocal technique and sound, rhythm, repertoire in styles such as pop, jazz, and various global musical traditions (with a particular focus on Brazilian and Afro-Cuban influences), as well as circle singing and collective vocal improvisation.

One of the aspects I value most in this work is supporting groups with diverse levels of experience to quickly find a shared musical language and sense of cohesion. Whether working with experienced singers or groups with little or no prior ensemble experience, I guide participants toward a strong, embodied, and musically engaging collective result – sometimes within a single day of work.

A central part of my practice is facilitating circle singing and collective vocal improvisation, where music is created in the moment through listening, presence, and spontaneous interaction. In these settings, voice becomes a shared space for creativity, connection, and exploration beyond written repertoire.

Over the years, I have worked internationally with ensembles such as São Vicente A Cappella (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Spectra (Indianapolis, USA), as well as numerous choirs in Finland and The Netherlands. In the Netherlands, I taught choral singing at the Dutch Academy of Performing Arts and led participatory choir projects at Buitenkunst, working with singers aged 16 to 80+ in both short and extended workshop formats. I have served as artistic director for several choirs internationally, and am currently the artistic director of the Coro Latinoamericano de Helsinki.

Alongside my professional practice, I have completed Global Choir Leadership studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, which continue to inform and deepen my work with rhythm, voice, and intercultural ensemble leadership.

At its core, this work is about creating spaces where people can experience the power of collective singing – showing up without judgment, staying present in the moment, and creating something together that none of us could make alone.