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, 17 January
Jack
Jack is making progress step by step! This class we went from counting to 67, to 9 beat pattern and now repeating a four beat pattern. Practise what is notated on the handout and let’s also work on focusing in class. Keep up the good work.
Nova
Nova worked on the xylophone passage but wasn’t able to practise the drum part for Blink Gone so much. I have now uploaded two instructional videos for the drum beat onto the drive in case Nova gets confused on how to practise them. If we are able to get it polished by next class, we will get some recording going. The recording of Bee Helps is also now on the Drive if Nova wants to give it a listen.
Adam
Adam showed huge progress with the few basic beats on the Drumset Musician handout. He was able to play through 3a and 4a at ease which was rather impressive. We then worked on the song, which Adam was well prepared to play it. However, he is at the moment slightly confused with the repetition. I will encourage Adam to play according to what is on the page, and when confused, refer to the recording, and possibly play with his brother! We might try something new next class.
Santino
Santino seems to be rather busy this week and didn’t get much practise done. I encourage him to put some work in for the exam tune so I can test the brothers on it next week.
Nicolas
This week I transcribed the Hedwig’s Theme for Nicolas to play, and Nicolas was able to play it by the end of class at ease. This is a great opportunity to practise reading every detail on the page, including key signature. I look forward to hearing a polished version of the tune by next class.
Jonah
It was nice to see Jonah again in person. We clarified some of the tricky sections on the last page of Smooth Criminal. Jonah clearly practised over the past few weeks and I am very impressed with his work as he was able to play every lick on the page. What was tricky however, was keeping time between the 32nd lick and getting out of it. When practising it this coming week, I encourage Jonah to count the four beats clearly while playing the 32nd lick, so the pulse is not shaken when getting out of it. I look forward to playing through the song with him next week. Will also look to start new song “Fly As Me” by Silk Sonic with him next class.
Aleksander
Aleksander showed huge progress this class and over the past few lessons, with now completing the song Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Pepper. I was happy to see Aleksander getting a better feel of the groove playing the song, especially his ability to identify the bass line and playing with it. He also showed great progress in recovering after making a mistake. We will be starting When I Come Along by Green Day. Score is uploaded to the drive if he would like to print it out and give it a little read.
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.
