Catón Lyles,
Artist & Artistic Educator
About Catón
Catón Lyles is an accomplished and recognized Pacific Northwest artist. He has engaged and
enriched his community with his performances as a musician, actor, instructor, collaborator and
youth worker.
He’s been featured in commercials, documentaries and episodic programs both nationally and
internationally.
He also participates in OCFs Oregon Arts Learning Community and the National Guild for
Community Arts Education.
He is a founding member of the former internationally recognized Northwest Afrikan-American Ballet.
Catón received a Gold Record for co-writing You Put Me In A Trance for the band Nu Shooz (1986).
Catón has performed or recorded with many groups and individuals in the Oregon Music Hall of
Fame, the Grammy’s, Native American Music Awards and a Triple Crown winner.
As an actor, Catón was a cast member, performer, writer and collaborator in the award winning
play Note to Self (awarded Best Ensemble in a Play in 2017’s, Drammy Awards). He was also a cast
member and musician in the groundbreaking play The Sounds of Afrolitical Movement (a multimedia
performance that premiered at the Portland Playhouse in May 2023).
Catón has been involved with youth work for decades across several organizations including:
- Portland Public Schools
- Vancouver School District
- Beaverton School District
- Young Musicians and Artists
- Sebe Kan Youth Dance Ensemble (previously known as Kúkátónón)
- I am M.O.R.E (Resiliency in Rhythm)
- Caldera, recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards, where he is the Camp Artistic Director
- Rhythm Traders drum store, where he is a percussion instructor of group and private classes (youth and adult)