Dan works for Maritz (as do I)...recently Katharine was featured in our Team News along with info about her father.  Thought I would share...

Did You Know ... Posted 3/28/2006 11:19 AM

Once again, American Idol has transfixed the country, and this year Maritz has a close connection with a certain contestant. Twenty-one year old Katharine McPhee is emerging as one of the competition's strongest singers and most energetic personalities, and her proud father is a Maritz employee at the Torrance, Calif. office. Dan McPhee has been working for Maritz Interactions as a freelance executive producer since April 2004.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind: watching her on American Idol, listening to her radio interviews, reading about her in Time magazine and on all the Internet fansites, but it's all been great fun for her," commented Dan. "She is working so hard, and we just want to thank everyone at Maritz for all the support. I know it takes some effort, but KEEP VOTING!"

Music and acting seem to run in Katharine's genes. Her mother, Peisha McPhee, a vocal coach and nationally recognized cabaret singer, saw a special talent for music in her daughter and started training her when she was just a little girl. After high school, Katharine attended the Boston Conservatory of Music.

As much as she loves singing, Katharine also has a list of acting credits to her name. Some of her most recent roles include playing Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun last March at the Cabrillo Music Theatre in Thousand Oaks, Calif., a lead role in the world premiere of the musical The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and she is featured in the upcoming independent film called Crazy.

Katharine became the first American Idol contestant to officially make it to the top 24, and has been dubbed "best bet to go to the finals" by Time magazine. If the buzz around her is to be believed, Katharine will be around for a while. In fact, Entertainment Weekly has already tabbed her as one of its favorites with the comment, "Have you heard that voice, Kelly Clarkson?" It looks as if she's ready to take the industry by storm!

             I wholeheartedly agree. It's great to see that Mr. McPhee deeply loves his versatilely talented daughter, Katharine, and wants her to be happy. All parents want their children to pursue their own dreams and succeed in life. It's only natural for a mother or father to shed some tears. In fact, emotions are real and not just saved for Hallmark commercials. Just joking! Thanks.