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!
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Music, the secret ingredient for a happy child
How to make your kids happier? Is there a secret ingredient to reach that goal?
Children are the most precious members of our society, and ensuring their well-being and happiness is a responsibility we all share. While love and respect form the foundation of a child’s emotional development, it’s equally important to provide them with nourishing food and the uplifting power of music. In this blog post, you will explore how these essential ingredients contribute to your children’s happiness and well-rounded development.
Love and respect: the building blocks of confidence
- Love as nurturance: love is the cornerstone of a child’s emotional health. It provides them with a sense of security and belonging, which is essential for building confidence and self-esteem. Children who feel loved are more likely to explore their potential and take on new challenges.
- Respect as empowerment: respecting children as individuals with their own thoughts and feelings empowers them to develop a strong sense of self. When children feel respected, they learn to respect others in return, fostering harmonious relationships and empathy.
Respecting children as individuals with their own thoughts empowers them to develop a strong sense of self
Nutritious food: fueling growing bodies and minds
- Physical Health: Providing children with balanced and nutritious meals is essential for their physical well-being. Proper nutrition supports healthy growth, development, and immune system function. A well-fed child is better equipped to learn and explore the world.
- Mental Well-Being: The food children eat can impact their cognitive function and mood. Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins provide essential nutrients that support mental health, concentration, and emotional stability.
The power of music lesson: bringing joy and emotional expression
- Joyful moments: music has the extraordinary ability to instantly uplift a child’s spirits. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or simply listening to their favorite tunes, music creates moments of pure joy and happiness.
- Emotional expression: music also serves as a medium for children to express their emotions. Through songs and melodies, children can communicate their feelings, whether it’s happiness, sadness, or excitement. This emotional outlet helps them understand and manage their emotions.
- Kids are able to demonstrate their feelings, and emotions through sounds, musical instruments, claps, or body language. Music lessons and programs give children the possibility of being able to feel relieve even from sentiments that the little ones are not able to recognize and verbalize.
- Music together is a worldwide recognized fun music curriculum, for babies and children. Check for more information about amazing tailored programs at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ and book your free demo class at any time, we are looking forward to see you!
- Learning and creativity: Music is not only about enjoyment but also a valuable tool for learning and creativity. Playing musical instruments or participating in music programs can enhance cognitive skills, improve memory, and foster creativity in children.
love is the cornerstone of a child’s emotional health
Bringing it all together: a recipe for happy children
- Love and respect as the foundation: start by showering children with love and treating them with respect. Create a nurturing environment that encourages them to explore, learn, and grow.
- Nutritious meals for nourishment: ensure that children receive balanced, wholesome meals to support their physical and mental development. A well-fed child is more likely to be energetic and enthusiastic.
- Music as the cherry on top: Integrate music into daily routines. Sing songs together, dance around the living room, or enroll children in music classes that match their interests. The joy and creativity music brings can enhance their overall well-being.
ABC Academy of Music and its programs and fun music curriculum nurtures kids’ life and are for children at all ages. ABC Academy, and Music Together classes contribute with your children happiness.
In the quest to raise happy and well-rounded children, remember that love, respect, nutritious food, and music all play crucial roles. These essential ingredients create a harmonious blend that nurtures not only a child’s body but also their mind and soul. By providing love, respect, nourishment, and the gift of music, we give children the tools they need to grow into happy, confident, and emotionally healthy individuals.
Contact us to get a free demo class today at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ and enroll your child on a melodic adventure. Looking forward to seeing you!
Follow us in our social channels to know more about the benefits of music lessons for all ages!
PS – DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING?
Check out our post:
“What? Are there 3 “C” from music lessons?
Yup…Concentration, coordination, and creativeness!”
“Link is in progress”
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Additional Reading for Your Interest:
Self-esteem on children 1-8 years
Center for disease and health control/Benefits of healthy eating
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.
