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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Are You Secretly a Music Together Teacher?
Do you find yourself humming songs from class, or belting them out in the car when no one is around?
You might be a Music Together teacher!
Do you feel tempted to sing to crying children in public when their parents seem exasperated?
You might be a Music Together teacher!
Do you find yourself singing along to other parents singing to their children on the bus?
You might be a Music Together Teacher!
We’re Hosting a Music Together Teacher Training November 14-16…
…and we want you to join us!
This year ABC more than doubled its Music Together locations, from 5 to 11!
As part of the expansion we need more teachers, and would like to invite you to think about taking the teacher training.
What’s involved?
The Music Together Teacher Training is 27 hours over 3 days. It is a very intense experience, and must be fully attended.
It is followed by a 10-week, single class, paid apprenticeship, which would run from January through March, in one of our regular classes.
Are There Pre-Requisites or Qualifications Needed?
The simple answer to this is no.
Obviously we have some basic criteria, such as availability to teach, clearing a Vulnerable Sector Record Check, and having a pleasant and patient disposition, but you do not need to be a musician or musically trained to do the training and become a teacher.
We have teachers who come from Theatre, Dance, ECE (early childhood education), public school teaching backgrounds, or who were just parents in one of our classes! All of these folks are great teachers, and we’d love to add to their ranks.
Singing in tune and in time is necessary to pass the training, however.
Nervous or Unsure About This, But Excited About the Idea?
Don’t be! We provide a lot of support, ongoing training, and availability of our team internally.
We support each other, and we’ll support you.
Is There a Cost?
Typically there is a cost for these 3-day trainings, but ABC can cover part of the cost itself, and the remainder through a grant, making the training free for you. In exchange, the trained teacher agrees to join the ABC teaching team for 2 years.
How Do You Sign Up?
First thing to do is to call the office at 416-651-7529 and ask to speak to Barnaby. You’ll have a preliminary chat about your availability in general, your background, and to give you some information about what you can expect to experience, pay rates, time commitment, and more.
Still reading? Call us now! 416-651-7529
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.
