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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Saturday, May 30
Jack
I used Imperial March as a way to introduce triplets to Jack. The first half of the melody is engraved in his brain, but the second half not so much. I wrote it down on one of his handout and we will continue strengthening feel for that rhythm next class. We also revised on how to play the melody on xylophone, remembering the three positions the mallet go to.
Nova
We used the Blue Book to work on triplet and some flam variants. With triplet, I ask Nova to think about always going towards the next beat, and if the triplet is followed by another note, connect towards it. I assigned Solo #15 for them to work on playing triplets musically but also differentiate it from eighth notes. For Sparkles, we revised the first page, and Nova was able to connect the two phrases we worked on so far. Now we are on to the second page. This is a simple but very interesting pattern. Note that the main beats here are 1 and 4, everything else should feel like tip toe. I want Nova to work on the first two lines of the page.
Adam
We worked on the two bar batter no12 from the Drumset Musician book. Then for Under the Bridge, it seems like Adam forgot how the bridge pattern goes (one remembered by blueberry) because Adam has not been able practise on the drums. Once he has access to drums again, solidify that pattern and we will move on to second page next week.
Jonah
We worked on Audition Etude no1 by Joe Kelly this week, in preparation for TSYO audition. The ornament on the first note should be played ahead of the first beat, and should not sound the same as the 16th note triplet. The 16th note triplet should be slower, but both should be phrase similarly towards the final note. Then we revised on American on Paris, recording how things sound, evaluating that the lick should be more left hand leading, to ground to the beat better. We ended the lesson with a brief revision of Super Bad, which Jonah remembered it very well and executed the groove with taste.
Finn
Finn’s practising this week showed great result, that he was quickly able to play the complicated tom groove for bridge after one week. This time around we talked about how to play it more at ease, with a focus of thinking of the RH on floor tom like dribbling a basketball. Everything that is not on the beat should feel light and bouncy. Once more familiar with the pattern, practise playing the lick 7 times in a row, and wrap it up with the last line on the handout. We will try to play with the melody a bit next class.
Preferred Books for Katie’s Students
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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.
