Smiling man with a beard and long dreads wearing glasses, a hat, and a vest over a collared shirt.

Catón Lyles

Teaching Artist

Email: clyles@phamepdx.org

Catón (he/him) is an accomplished Pacific Northwest artist engaged in enriching his community with his multi-genre performances as a musician, actor, instructor, collaborator, youth worker and dance accompanist. 

Catón has performed both locally and internationally. He is a Gold Record recipient and a founding member of the original Kúkátónón Children’s African Dance Troupe (now Sebe Kan Youth African Dance) and the former, internationally recognized, Northwest African-Amerikan Ballet. 

He has recorded with many groups, individuals and legends including some found in the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, the Grammy’s, Native American Music Awards, a PEGOT winner and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Catón has been in education for years providing multilevel residencies and workshops both nationally and internationally for several small and large educational organizations. 

Catón currently is:

  • The Camp Artistic Director for Caldera. 

  • Teaching private and public workshops at Rhythm Traders (3904 NE MLK Jr Blvd).

In the past, he was adjunct faculty at:

  • Mt. Hood Community College

  • PSU

  • Reed College

  • Impacting Kids First

  • Grace Institute Art Camp

  • Friends of the Children

  • Student Alliance Project

  • Young Musicians and Artists Camp

For Portland Public Schools, Catón worked for decades in various roles: as a dance accompanist for the Jefferson High School for the Performing Arts (1976), SPED Behavior Para educator, TAG facilitator, and a hand drum clinician. 

For a decade at Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, he provided dance accompaniment, assisted in the music & theater departments and taught district-wide elementary school residencies along with after-school programming.