Bachelor of Fine Arts (York University)
Katie Thurman is a singer, pianist, accompanist, and teacher based in Toronto. Her passion for music has been with her since childhood, and she is excited to have recently completed her undergraduate degree in music at York University.
Trained classically in piano, she continues to explore other styles including pop and jazz, as well as write her own compositions. Her vocal training is in both classical and musical theatre styles, as well as lengthy choral experience both in and out of school.
Katie spent 6 years singing with WIBI A Cappella, a collegiate-based group, during her time at York, and is proud to have competed with them twice in the ICCA (the very competition the Pitch Perfect films were based on!). Currently, she sings with the Toronto-based That Choir.
Katie loves all types of music, but spends most of her time listening to pop, indie, and alt-pop records.
Katie also writes her own songs and is working towards putting together an EP. Aside from music, Katie’s other passions include baking, film, and psychology. She loves teaching and is always pushing herself to grow pedagogically and musically!
Get to know Katie…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: baking, watching movies/TV, writing, yoga, hiking
Musical influences: Classical: Natalie Dessay, Maria Callas/Pop: Arcade Fire, Lana Del Rey, BANKS, Florence & the Machine, Rhye
Favourite food: Pasta
Least favourite food: Seafood
Favourite music: pop & alt-pop, indie/folk, dance, and all things Celtic
Favourite song: currently “Favourite Boy” by Half Moon Run
Favourite movie: Eighth Grade
Favourite movie music: A Single Man, music composed by Abel Korzeniowski?
Favourite musical theatre/opera: Les Misérables
Best quote from your teacher: Vocal teacher: “Just go for it! We want to hear ‘Katie-and-a-half'”.
Favourite quote: Motivation comes from work
Favourite book: The Handmaid’s Tale
Best thing about teaching at ABC: I like sharing my knowledge with students, and I learn from them too!
Latest Homework from Katie
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How music might reduce stress and tension in teenagers?
Teenagers today face a myriad (countless) of stressors that can take a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. Academic pressures, social challenges, the constant influx of information through digital devices, and other facts can contribute to heightened stress and tension in adolescents.
In this blog post, you will explore how music, specifically through music lessons, can be a powerful tool to alleviate stress and tension in teenagers. If you are interested in music lessons for teenagers and its benefits, you are on the right track!
The Power of Music
Music can uplift teenager’s mood. Picture from Pinterest.
Music is a universal language that transcends cultures, undeniably, music has a profound impact on human emotions.
Its therapeutic qualities have been recognized for centuries. In recent years, scientific studies have provided evidence of the positive effects of music on mental health.
- Emotional regulation: whether listening to or creating music, teenagers can effectively process and regulate their emotions. Music serves as a constructive outlet for self-expression, empowering them to channel their feelings in a positive, and healthy manner.
- Stress reduction: engaging with music has been proven to lower the production of stress hormones, such as cortisol. This reduction promotes a profound sense of relaxation and tranquility, offering teenagers a reprieve from the pressures they encounter in their daily lives.
- Mood enhancement: explore the uplifting impact of specific music genres and rhythms on a teenager’s mood. Therefore music acts as a powerful escape, providing a refreshing break from the challenges they face, contributing to improved emotional well-being.
- Boost focus and concentration: encourage teens to learn a musical instrument for enhanced focus and concentration. The skills acquired in music practice can extend beyond the notes, and positively influencing other aspects of adolescents lives, including academic pursuits.
Incorporating music lessons into a teenager’s routine can be a valuable tool for fostering emotional resilience, and overall well-being.
Music Lessons and its benefits
Here’s how our music lessons can be particularly beneficial for you in reducing stress and tension:
Music has positive effects on mental health. Olivia’s Rodrigo picture, from Pinterest.
- Structured learning: music lessons provide teenagers with a structured environment that encourages discipline and time management. Skills that can help them manage stress more effectively.
- A sense of achievement: learning to play an instrument or mastering a piece of music provides a sense of accomplishment that can boost teenagers self-esteem. This reduce feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt.
- Social connection: group lessons and ensemble activities at ABC Academy of Music allow teenagers to connect with peers who share their interests, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing social isolation.
- Mindfulness and relaxation: playing music requires focus and mindfulness, which can help teenagers unwind and clear their minds after a stressful day.
- Self-expression: music is a powerful form of self-expression. Through their music lessons, teenagers can express their emotions and thoughts, helping them process and cope with stressors in their lives.
- Soothing and creative outlet: in a world where teenagers are constantly bombarded with stressors.
Music lessons not only teach musical skills but also provide invaluable tools for reducing stress and tension. Learn more at ABC Academy of Music https://www.music-lessons.ca/ (piano lessons, guitar lessons, drums lessons, violin lessons, and other musical instruments).
By harnessing the power of music, teenagers can find respite from their daily challenges and cultivate a lifelong passion that promotes mental and emotional well-being.
PS – Did you find this interesting?
Check out our post: “ Music and its influence in health and well being ”
*Link in progress*
Additional Reading for Your Interest:
Influence of music on the hearing and mental health of adolescents and countermeasures
Preferred Books for Katie’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Primer Lesson Book introduces the keyboard, note values, and the grand staff. Students play in C 5-finger scale patterns, develop recognition of steps and skips, and learn letter names independent of finger number. Musicianship is built through the use of dynamics and coloristic experimentation with the pedal. The book is organized into units which represent the major concepts and skills. As new units are introduced, earlier concepts and skills are constantly reviewed.
Music for Little Mozarts
Lesson Book 1
Lesson Book 1 is pre-reading. Concepts taught are: How to sit at the piano; Correct hand position; High and low; Loud and soft (forte and piano); Keyboard topography; Bar line and measure, Quarter, half, whole notes and rests; and Repeat signs.
Alfred's Adult Basic All-In-One
Alfred’s Basic Adult All-in-One Course is designed for use with a piano instructor for the beginning student looking for a truly complete piano course. It is a greatly expanded version of Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course that will include lesson, theory, and technique in a convenient, “all-in-one” format. This comprehensive course adds such features as isometric hand exercises, finger strengthening drills, and written assignments that reinforce each lesson’s concepts. There is a smooth, logical progression between each lesson, a thorough explanation of chord theory and playing styles, and outstanding extra songs, including folk, classical, and contemporary selections.
RCM Voice Repertoire
A Comprehensive Voice Series serves as the official resource for voice assessments of the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. Featuring an outstanding selection of voice literature and supporting materials, this series offers a truly enriched learning experience to help ensure student success. As in previous editions, Resonance encompasses a rich and varied selection of Repertoire, Vocalises and Recitatives that students of all ages and voice types will find appropriate to their musical interests and level of technical ability.
Vocal Workouts for the Contemporary Singer
The vocal workouts in this much-anticipated follow-up to Peckham’s The Contemporary Singer are based on Berklee College of Music’s highly effective vocal method. This volume will help vocalists develop the voice through good vocal health, warm-up exercises, advanced techniques, stage performance advice and more. Includes companion online audio for ultimate interactive education!
Alfred's Teach Yourself to Sing
Learn to sing and open up a brand new world of musical knowledge with this exciting method from Alfred Music. Beginning with the fundamentals, you will learn about equipment used by singers, vocal health, and getting acquainted with reading music. You will then move right along to breathing, vocalizing, proper warm-ups, and singing songs, lesson by lesson, all while continuing to increase your knowledge of reading and understanding music. You will learn to sing an array of musical styles including pop, jazz, classical, and musical theater. Near the end of the book, you will be introduced to the idea of individual interpretation, which will help you color your songs with your own unique style. The book features a chord and scale chart for reference during and after your lessons.
