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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Music boosts memory, attention, and social skills in preschooler
Isn’t it amazing? Music boosts memory, attention, and social skills in preschooler! In today’s fast-paced world, parents and educators are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the cognitive, emotional, and social development of preschoolers. One powerful tool that has gained recognition for its remarkable impact is music.
Music-related activities and programs for kids and toddlers, have emerged as an effective tool for stimulating development in children of all ages, with preschoolers reaping significant benefits; learning how to escape from the heavy daily routine and have fun at the same time.
Music lessons and memory enhancement
Preschoolers exposed to music tend to have improved memory skills. Photo from Pinterest.
Music and memory are closely intertwined. Preschoolers exposed to music-related activities tend to have improved memory skills. This is because music engages multiple areas of your kid’s brain, creating strong neural connections that support their memory formation. Whether it’s learning songs, memorizing lyrics, or associating tunes with events, music provides an effective mnemonic tool.
To stimulate memory development in preschoolers, consider incorporating musical games, with a musical twist, where children have to remember and mimic a series of musical patterns or movements.
Find out ABC Academy of Music programs and its benefits for your preschoolers at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/
Attention Frame Expansion
Maintaining the attention of preschoolers can be quite challenging, but music comes to the rescue. Engaging in musical activities can extend your children’s attention span as they become absorbed in rhythm, melody, and lyrics. This enhanced focus can carry over to other areas of their lives, improving their ability to concentrate on tasks and follow instructions.
For development stimulation, introduce your preschoolers to age-appropriate musical instruments, encouraging them to experiment with sounds and rhythms. These activities not only captivate their attention but also promote sensory and motor development.
Engaging in musical activities can extend your children’s attention span. Picture from Pinterest.
Music Curriculum and Social Skills Cultivation
Music has the unique ability to foster social interactions and cooperation among preschoolers. Participating in music-related programs encourages children to collaborate, share, and communicate with their peers.
Whether they are singing in a group, playing in a band, or simply dancing together, these activities promote essential and vital social skills.
To promote social development, organize music-themed group activities where preschoolers can sing together, share instruments, and engage in creative musical play. This not only creates a sense of community but also helps your children to build empathy and teamwork. Watch our videos to know more at https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/
Music classes for all ages: inclusive, universal and accessible
One of the remarkable aspects of using music for cognitive development is its accessibility to children of all ages and backgrounds. Music programs can be tailored to suit the unique, age-appropriate needs of preschoolers, making it an inclusive and versatile tool for development stimulation.
Music programs cultivate essential social skills.
Picture from Pinterest.
Incorporating music into the lives of preschoolers can be a powerful way to enhance memory, expand attention frames, and cultivate essential social skills. By engaging in music-related activities and programs, your children not only experience the joy of music. But also benefit from its cognitive and social development stimulation. Music truly is a universal language that has the potential to enrich the lives of preschoolers and set a strong foundation for their future growth and learning.
As parents, caregivers, and educators, let us harness the harmonious benefits of music lessons and programs to nurture the minds and hearts of our little ones, ensuring that they embark on a journey of holistic development, one musical note at a time.
Book your free demo today https://www.music-lessons.ca/toronto/classes/ looking forward to seeing you soon!
Follow us in our social channels to know more about the benefits of music lesson in Toronto- GTA, at any age.
“PS – Section”
Did you find this interesting? Check out our post:
“How to Improve Pre-Literacy and Pre-Numeracy Skills Through Music”
**Link is in Progress**
Additional Reading for Your Interest:
Music, Memory and Emotion (National Library of Medicine)
Boosting your toddlers attention span: 4 fun activities to try
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.
