Katja Otero (former Katja Kullander) was born and raised in southern Sweden where she was inspired and surrounded by the lively classical, folk, theater and jazz music scenes. At an early age Katja knew music was her life calling. Her mother, an accomplished ballet dancer, and teacher and her grandmother, a classical pianist, introduced her to the musical arts as a young child. Singing in choirs, playing the piano and the flute, taking ballet and jazz dance classes became a big, joyful part of her life growing up.

Katja immersed herself in a performing arts education from reputed schools from around the world.

She received a B.A from the Music College of Malmö, Sweden. This included a semester abroad at the Music Conservatory in Utrecht Holland as an Erasmus scholarship recipient. She also traveled around the world for a year with the international cast of "Up with People”. Her troupe performed a 2.5 hour show of dance and music which was a very positive influence in her life.

Next, Katja specialized in musical theater performance at Guildford School of Acting England. Wanting to return to the US (a dream of hers since she was a high-school exchange student in Rockford, Illinois). Katja went to Boston to pursue a graduate program and received an M.M from the Boston Conservatory of Music.

For over 10 years Katja taught voice, musical theater for teens and conducted the Children's chorus and the community chorus at the well respected Turtle Bay music School in Manhattan.

She also served as the conductor for the Scandinavian choir (recipient of the American Scandinavian Foundation's grant for the arts) and conducted the Pfizer Choraliers for 12 years.

In 2008 she opened her own music studio "Sing From Your Heart" teaching voice and piano on the upper east side in New York City.

Katja is a frequent performer in the Scandinavian community in New York as a singer and pianist.

Currently residing in beautiful Tarrytown with her husband and daughter.