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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The 3 C’s of Music: concentration, coordination, and creativeness
Music has an amazing way of influencing our cognitive abilities. Music boost kids concentration, coordination, and sparking creativeness. In this post, we’ll explore how music lessons, and music programs for all ages improve the 3 C´s of Music. The younger the age and the more frequent the exposure, the greater the benefit over time, additionally this works at any age!
Definitely Music enhance concentration, coordination, and creativeness.
Concentration: ‘Tuning in’ with Music
Concentration is the ability to focus one’s attention on a particular task or thought. Even though it seems to be an innate skill, sometimes it could be a difficult task for almost everybody. Particularly for children who are struggling with more distractions in their daily lives, it might become really challenging to concentrate fully on the task at hand.
Strengthening concentration skills is essential for young minds.
Playing or singing music often involves improvisation. Picture from Pinterest.
Here’s how music can help:
- The Power of Rhythms: rhythmic patterns in music have the incredible ability to synchronize our brainwaves with others’. When children listen to music with a steady beat, it can help stabilize their focus. This is particularly useful for tasks that require your child’s sustained attention, such as studying or performing other cognitive tasks.
- Ambient Sounds: ambient music or instrumental tones can create a calming environment, that minimizes external distractions. Consequently it acts as a sonic cocoon, allowing kids to immerse themselves in a new world. A program, like Music Together with ABC academy of music, can create the ideal ambience enhancing their ability to get focused.
- Mood Elevation: listening to the music your children enjoy, can elevate their mood and motivation. Making it easier to stay engaged in a task for a longer period. The positive emotional impact of music can combat mental fatigue, and enhance your kids concentration.
Book a demo class today at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ to learn how a fun music curriculum, movement, and instrumental classes for children from birth through 8 years, can have an amazing influence in their concentration.
Coordination: the Invaluable Interplay of Music and Movement
Coordination, as a matter of fact, involves the harmonious interaction of various body parts to perform tasks efficiently. Music and rhythm have a unique ability to improve physical coordination.
Strengthening concentration skills is essential for young minds.
Picture from 123RF.
- Dance for Coordination Training: dance is a prime example of how music and movement are closely intertwined. Learning to dance requires precise coordination of the body in response to the rhythm and beats of the music. Whether it’s just following the beat, ballet, or any kind of dancing or even just movements can significantly enhance your children’s coordination skills.
- Playing Musical Instruments: learning to play musical instruments like the piano, guitar, or drums, or maracas or xylophones on kids, involves intricate hand-eye coordination. As they practice, their brain develops pathways to synchronize their movements with the music, gradually improving their overall coordination.
- Drumming and Percussion: drumming circles and percussion instruments, such as tambourine, drums, djembes or bongos, provide an opportunity to fine-tune your kids motor skills. The rhythmic patterns and coordination required in drumming can be transferred to better coordination in daily activities.
All thing considered are just some benefits your kids can get from our fun music curriculum. “Music Together” our tailored program, with music related activities for children from birth to eight years.
Watch our video and see what families say about us at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ it is not just a fun music program it is a fun, family oriented music curriculum.
Creativeness: the Symphony of Imagination
Creativity is the ability to generate novel ideas and solutions, and music is a fertile ground for nurturing creativity:
Percussion instruments provide an opportunity to fine-tune your kids motor skills.
Picture from Pinterest.
- Improvisation & Unstructured Activity: playing or singing music often involves improvisation, where your little ones create melodies, harmonies, and rhythms on the spot. This practice encourages children to think outside the box and fosters innovative thinking, and so free play times and free dance time in our programs, also do!
- Emotional Expression: music is a universal language for conveying emotions. Composing or performing music allows your kids to channel their feelings into a creative outlet. Promoting emotional well-being and sparking their imaginative ideas.
- Inspiration from Diversity: music spans various genres and cultures. Exploring different styles of music exposes children to a rich tapestry of sounds and ideas, inspiring your kids´ own creative endeavors.
As a result, Music lessons and fun music curriculum, are not just a source of entertainment; truly are a powerful tool for enhancing concentration, coordination, and creativity. Whether you’re looking to boost focus, refine physical skills, or unlock your kid’s creative potential, incorporating music into your family life can make a world of difference.
So, why not embark on a melodic journey today and witness the transformative effects of music on your children’s mind and body? Music boost kids concentration coordination and creativeness.
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 on 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:
“How Music stimulates nearly every part of children’s brain and development”
**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.
