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
Is Katie Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
Being able to play an instrument improves kids’ self-esteem.
Intriguing about the ways to improve your kids’ self-esteem? Music has the power to touch your kids’ hearts, uplift their spirits, and even shape your lives. Music is a universal language that transcends frontiers, and its benefits are boundless. One of the most remarkable aspects of music education is its ability to enhance a child’s self-confidence.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how the ABC Academy of Music is making a significant impact on kids’ self-esteem through piano lessons, guitar lessons, drums lessons, and other musical instrument lessons.

Music education enhances self-esteem by teaching kids to play and follow the music pitch.
Music Education benefits
At ABC Academy of Music, the belief that music education empowers young minds is at the core of our mission. We understand that music is more than just a collection of notes; it’s a powerful tool for personal growth, communication, increasing self-esteem and kids’ development as a result.
One of the ways in which music education enhances self-esteem is by teaching kids to play and follow the music pitch. Let’s delve deeper into this:
Playing an instrument with the heart and confidence
- Dedication, practice, and patience. As children progress through their piano lessons, guitar lessons, or drums lessons at ABC Academy of Music, they develop a keen sense of discipline and perseverance. This process of mastering an instrument instills a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities.
- The act of playing a musical instrument itself is a confidence booster. As your children become proficient in their chosen instrument, they gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment. Consequently, this newfound ability to create beautiful melodies can significantly boost your kids self-esteem. This mastery and accomplishment is hard to nurture in other activities, subjects, and team environments.
- They learn that they are capable of achieving something that may have seemed challenging at first. Additionally, learning to play a musical instrument, whether it’s the piano, guitar, violin, or drums, requires commitment, consistency, and overall the love for music. Over all, helping children to increase their self-confidence after overcoming small challenges, step by step.
Get to know our amazing “programs for babies and toddlers”, book your free trial class now at ABC academy of music at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/toddlers/

The act of playing a musical instrument itself is a confidence booster. Picture from Pinterest.
Pitch-Perfect Confidence
One of the essential elements of music education is understanding and following the pitch. Whether it’s hitting the right notes on a piano or strumming the guitar strings with precision, kids at the ABC Academy of Music learn to enjoy music and make it part of their life’s.
As kids progress in their music lessons, their ability to recognize and execute different pitches improves. This not only enhances their musical skills but also their self-esteem. They gain confidence in their capacity to understand and apply concepts during the practice.
Positive feedback and support in our Music programs for all ages

Music is more than just a collection of notes; it’s a powerful tool for personal growth, communication, and kids’ development. Photo from Pinterest.
- A nurturing environment is designed to build self-esteem. Experienced music instructors offer constructive feedback, praise progress, and celebrate achievements. This continuous positive reinforcement will foster a sense of self-worth and confidence in your children.
- Music education at the ABC Academy of Music goes beyond just learning to play an instrument; it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through drum lessons, piano lessons, guitar lessons, and music lessons in general, kids not only develop musical skills but also enhance their self-esteem.
- By teaching children to play with precision and follow the music pitch, the ABC Academy of Music empowers your kids to believe in themselves, and develop self-direction, self-evaluation, and finishing skills. The sense of accomplishment and mastery they gain from their musical achievements will resonate in other (professional) aspects of your kids’ lives, making them more confident and self-assured individuals down the road.
- Investing in music education is not just about learning how to play an instrument; it’s an investment in a child’s self-esteem, afterward it will pay dividends throughout their lifetime. At the ABC Academy of Music, we understand the transformative power of music, and we are helping children discover their true potential, one note at a time.
“Music lessons for all ages include programs for babies and toddlers, drums lessons, piano lessons, guitar lessons, violin lessons, singing lessons and other musical instrument lessons.”
Get more detailed information about “music lessons for kids” at https://www.music-lessons.ca/
“PS SECTION”:
Did you find this interesting? Check out our post
FEELING THE BEAT: How Rhythm Enhances Kids’ Motor Skills, Timing, and Coordination
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.
