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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Thursday, May 7th
Josh
Josh is seeing great improvement with more consistent practising habit. We continue working on the few pre chorus bars. For this week the goal is to link up bar 34-36. As a reminder, bar 35 is a repeat of 34, and 36 is the bar that pairs with lyrics “like to say to you…”. Also work on the verse pattern as it comes back in later section.
Aleksander
We ended the class with a successful play through of the song Bring Me to Life. We will move on to Smell Like Teens Spirit next class. The score is available on the drive if he would like to start giving some read.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MwwUXU5Fo4L2iPh-f4Vked6Gy4uD4rtK/view?usp=sharing
Zico
We continued working on The Trooper. Through Stick Control practise, Zico is now in a good place to play the song. The section that could use some slow practising is the guitar solo 2 section, building up the endurance for the bass drum pattern. We will try a play through of the song next week.
Noah
We continued warming up with Stick Control. Seeing greater four way coordination with the drill. Then we segue into the pre chorus section of Smooth Criminal. Noah quickly picked it up, and with that I would like him to work through the chorus section this week.
Finn
Finn is seeing improvement in terms of the choppiness in his playing. The open hihat is now connecting smoothly into the buzz, creating a very cohesive timbre. Practise all the bracketed bars in repeat, and attempt connecting one to another, and we will work on building sections of the song next week.
Mateo
We spent the lesson putting some finishing note on Labios Compartidos. Once again I will like to reiterate, successful practising habit is highly dependent on picking out trouble spots and building upon it bit by bit, and getting comfortable with it. We will put a close to the song and move on to Sweet Child o Mine. Good job Mateo!
Koel
We went back to working on Fool in the Rain. While we work on this material, I would like Koel to also build upon this general technique working on the “Routine” Handout, and as fun, also work on the first 4 lines of the Samba Funk handout. In terms of the song, let’s now focus on Verse 4, and try out all the fills that John Bonham made up for each phrase ending.
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.
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.
