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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Family bonding, fun activities, and music programs for kids
Let me guess!
Are you trying to take the most while your kids are small, trying to share with them as much time as possible? Looking for ways to increase creativity, and enhance family bonding? Well, fun music programs are great to ignite a passion for this beautiful art in your children. And we share the same emotion as you do. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of the exciting world of music lessons for babies, toddlers and children. Fun music curriculum and activities designed to create unforgettable family memories.
Why Music Matters for Kids?
Music programs foster exploration of instruments embracing your kids creativity and self expression.
Music is a universal language that transcends age and background. It has numerous benefits for the whole family, moms, dads, and particularly for your little one. Some of the benefits of music are enhancing cognitive development, improving social skills, boosting confidence, and providing a creative outlet. That is really great.
It also provides essential professional skills, such as preparation, completion, collaboration, cooperation, communication, and self-confidence.
Tailored Music Programs for Toddlers
Let us share with you about ABC Academy of Music, and how it understands the supremacy of music in nurturing young minds and strengthening family ties. ABC offers a world-famous program, Music Together® which introduces babies, toddlers (and later school-aged children) to the magic of music through interactive activities like singing, clapping, and dancing. It’s a fantastic way to enhance motor skills and early socialization while having loads of fun. Kids get to explore a variety of percussion instruments, props, and games. Children learn melodies, and develop a sense of rhythm in a supportive, creative environment that does not pander to them with simplistic songs like ‘The Wheels on the Bus’, or ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ (which is also Baa Baa Black Sheep, and the Alphabet song – have you ever noticed?).
Music programs has numerous benefits for the whole family, moms, dads, and particularly for your little one.
Engaging Music Lessons for Kids
In this program, your kids will dive into the world of melody, harmony, rhythm, percussion, and not-so-basic ear training. They’ll have a blast experimenting with a variety of small instruments and props instruments while developing a strong foundation in music that prepares them for private lessons better than any other program we’ve found.
For slightly older children, our rhythm kids program offers a deeper exploration of instruments like the guitar, keyboard, flute, dancing, singing and fostering their creativity and self-expression. Get to know better the ABC Academy of music and its tailored programs for your children at all ages https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/
Fun Music Programs for All Ages
Some of the benefits of music are enhancing cognitive development
Family Music Classes: ABC understands the importance of bonding as a family. Family Sessions provide a unique opportunity for parents and kids to make music together. It’s a joyful experience that creates lasting memories and strengthens your family connections.
Celebrate special occasions with its holiday-themed music workshops. Whether it’s Christmas caroling, Halloween sing-alongs, these workshops bring families together through the magic of music.
Talent Show and Recital: your kids can present their developing musical skills and creativity at our annual Recital. It’s a fantastic event that encourages children to shine on stage while bringing families, friends, and the community together in a low-key, intimate event that prioritizes a casual ‘sharing’ rather than performance and perfection-based approach.
Music is magic to enrich the lives of children and families alike. ABC Academy of Music, is committed to providing a nurturing environment where your kids can explore their musical potential and create cherished family memories. Join us on this harmonious journey of learning, bonding, and making music together!
Contact us to enroll your child and embark on a melodic adventure, book your free demo class today https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ looking forward to seeing you!
Follow us on our social channels to know more about the benefits of music lessons for adults.
PS – DID YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING?
Check out our post:
“How to Build kids’ positive emotions, self-esteem, and logical thinking through music practices”
**Link is in progress**
Additional Reading for Your Interest:
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.
