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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Spring Focus! Lots coming up!
Hi Team,
As you know, the General Meeting is almost upon us, which will kick off a string of events for the springtime that will be very tight for timing. I am itemizing them here for you because I will need your help in getting them all done per deadlines, and because by thinking about them now I think it will help you to get organized.
General Meeting
March 30th, current call time of 6 p.m. Since we’ve had a lot of changes this year, I think we’ll have plenty to cover, I’m sure. The restaurant should be Savera again. If anyone wants to change, let me know now.
2014 Summer/Fall Availability
Your availability for the fall will be due after the meeting, by the Friday of that week (April 4th). You can fill it in now, if you like, by visiting the entry form. This also covers Summer lessons, and Camp Supervision questions. The sooner you can do this, the better. The form is also available on Teachers Only.
Please take care in choosing secondary days to teach. Unlike previous years, where you generally have been able to get the days you have been most keen on, I am pretty sure that is going to change for a few people this year, for strategic planning reasons. I will still do my best to honour requests, but the school’s ability to maximize availability for popular instruments will have to jump to the forefront this year, because we are working hard towards growth.
Reporting
Reporting will be initiated at the meeting, and will be due by the Friday of that week (April 4th). This is a tighter window than in past years because the recital looks to be on the 4th of May, also early. I recommend you consider taking the March Break to make your notes, which you can then tweak and enter after the meeting.
Getting these home in the second week of April is particularly important to help with pointing parents towards the recital.
Recital – May 4th
We had a great deal of success with the new location, with the possible exception of my sound system work. We are aiming to use the same theatre. It will be a long, busy day.
In the past, I have noticed that many students do not participate in our recitals. While the recitals are optional, I have a concern that there is also a certain group of families that are not aware enough about them. In some cases this is because their reports did not go home on time, and in others because they do not read the emails we send them. I would like to ask you all to please do two things.
The first is to speak to your students now about the recital and to prepare with them for it, even if they do not register. Have them pretend they will be, so they can set a standard for themselves that they can be proud of. Perhaps they will change their minds when they realize how much better they’ve gotten by preparing. Keep on them!
The second is to make sure that you are still on top of your bi-weekly parent contact, and mention this a few times over the coming weeks. Parents are busy people, and they require a lot of reminding before the information sticks.
If we do this, I am convinced that the results will be tangible.
Rawlinson Fair – ABC’s 10th year
Every year we have a presence at the Rawlinson Fun Fair, with our Rock Bands out front-and-centre, as well as a Faculty Jazz Combo playing for the community. This year is no exception, but it is an occasion. We’ll be completing our 10th year as a school, and I am hoping to host an evening open-air concert and movie screening. This will probably involve free food, drink, and popcorn for all those associated with the school.
The date of the Fair is Saturday, May 31st, and if you would like to participate in some way, I would love to hear from you.
I am sure there will be more to go over soon.
Thanks,
Barn.
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.
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.
