On her fourth album, Dreams & Visions, Mary-Kathryn blends elements of soft pop, rock and folk with world music influences as diverse as the continents to create a spiritual amalgam that transcends musical boundaries. Sophisticated without being elitist; understated without being simplistic, Mary-Kathryn displays an emotional depth that can only be described as remarkable. The album features appearances by Hugh Marsh on Violin and Fergus Marsh on Chapman Stick & Bass, Tony Morra on Drums & Percussion, the Finnish vocal group Fire 4U, co-produced by Paul Buono and Mary-Kathryn and mixed by Tony Palacios at the Sound Kitchen.

With Dreams & Visions Mary-Kathryn delves even deeper into the world music realm, painting word pictures on an aural canvas with exotic instrumentation, adroit production, and lyrics that are nothing short of God-haunted. But as Billboard Magazine's reviewer so aptly put it, "the most affecting instrument...is Mary-Kathryn's lovely voice."

Mary-Kathryn

Mary-Kathryn feels like she is a "musical missionary," and describes her musical style as world fusion music with pop sensibilities. She incorporates sounds and instruments from other nations. Her music is birthed from her worship to God, and she feels like this is part of the message that God wants her to share. She's always felt God has given her a freedom and told her not to withhold anything in worship. People are intrigued by her worship style, which inspires more people to be free to worship.

She feels her call is to be a psalmist; her music is for healing and deliverance. Her music speaks to the nations, and it's of the nations. It is a different musical expression that embodies the freedom that is found in God. Her previous albums (One Spirit, Stream in the Desert, and Perfect Gift) were released to the Christian market between 1995 and 2001 and received positive critical acclaim and were well accepted by listeners.

In 2007, Mary-Kathryn was introduced to Suzanne Doucet, who is a great influence in the New Age Movement. (She opened one of the first New Age music stores on Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles 30 years ago; and it is still in business.) Also, she is a well respected musician who sits on the Grammy Board representing New Age music. When she heard Dreams &Visions she thought that there was a definite place for it in the New Age market.

Her assessment was right. In August 2007, the album immediately received acceptance and wide critical acclaim when it was released in the General and New Age markets. Dreams & Visions also received radio airplay on NPR and college radio stations across the U.S., Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Romania, and American Samoa. At the end of 2007, the album had already received a first-round Grammy nomination in the New Age category. Mary-Kathryn felt that the words God had given her in prayer were unfolding, and the music had an impact on people for God where otherwise they may not have received it.

Suzanne Doucet also says Mary-Kathryn's music fits well with a new sub-genre of New Age Music called New Thought Music. This has to do with the intention encoded in the music, which is "based upon the universal spiritual principles of oneness and unity that are so fundamental to most of the world's great religious teachings. This music movement is committed to the growth of music as a transformational force for good in the world. It is believed that the artist is the holder of the highest intention for our respective societies, and that the conscious use of our artistic gifts is vital to the unfolding of a more positive vision - for all people, of all faiths...[It is] music that celebrates the universal in many forms - some familiar, and others less so. But encoded into so much great music are the messages of oneness and unity, whether it is in the music of Coltrane or Dylan, Sting or Stevie Wonder." (Definition of New Thought Music from www.newthoughtmusic.com.) Her music is resonating with this audience.