B.Mus (Carleton)
Master of Music Therapy (Laurier)
Priya Shah is a Calgary-born and Toronto-based vocalist, instrumentalist, improviser, music therapist, and contemporary composer. In Calgary, she sang in the Mount Royal Children’s Choir and had the opportunity to perform with Amy Grant and at various festivals across the city. She joined a vocal jazz group in high-school and soon developed a love for scatting and improvisation.
Holding a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Vocal Performance from Carleton University, and a Master of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Priya has combined her love of performance with engaging in music with people of all ages and abilities. Since moving to Ontario, Priya has performed in bands and as a solo singer-songwriter and vocalist/improviser in Christine Duncan’s ‘Element Choir’ (Ottawa Chamber Music Festival), Kultrun World Music Festival (Waterloo), and Between the Ears Festival of Music and Sound (Kitchener-Waterloo). Priya is a member of two new music groups ‘On the Spot Collective’ and ‘Thelectric Breeze,’ the latter of which received a grant from the City of Ottawa to create an interactive outdoor concert leading up the Canada 150 Celebrations. Priya is an organizer of the Waterloo Region Contemporary Music Sessions, a festival for emerging and early career composers, performers, and improvisers.
Priya uses a person-centered approach to teaching. She believes in teaching the fundamentals of singing and focusing on proper technique while striving to identify and build on students strengths. Priya teaches a variety of styles including jazz, pop, rock, folk, soul, RnB, and musical theatre. In addition to voice, she plays the piano, guitar, ukulele, and accordion.
When Priya is not teaching, she works as a music therapist, performer, festival organizer, contemporary composer, and yoga instructor. She continues to write and compose original music. Priya is currently working on an EP to be released in late 2018.
Get to know Priya…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Reading, going on adventures in the woods, and spending time with friends and family
Musical influences: Bjork, Sade, Michael Jackson, Portishead, and everything I hear around me!
Favourite food: Chocolate
Least favourite food: N/A
Favourite music: Mood-dependent, or Disney J
Favourite song: “Vienna” by Billy Joel, “Thank you for the music” by ABBA
Favourite movie: Alice in Wonderland
Favouirite movie music: Harry Potter
Favourite musical theatre/opera: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Best quote from your teacher: “imagine who you are singing to”
Favourite quote: “It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note – it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.” – Miles Davis
Favourite book: Selected Short Stories by Mulk Raj Anand
Best thing about teaching at ABC: Getting to share my passion for singing!
Latest Homework from Priya
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Dec 4, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Silent Night” first two pages, hands together
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “fly me to the moon” chords in LH and melody RH
*go slowly with the chorus; there are some chords that are played after words (in spaces) rather than at the same time as words
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Lay me down” by Sam Smith
How to practice it most effectively: listen to the recording – work on the low notes in the beginning (if notes are very low, ‘speak’ those words as opposed to singing them)
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: piano “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Voice – “My Favourite Things”
How to practice it most effectively: Practice the dynamic changes in “My Favourite Things” (p, mf, f).
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien” page 3 – last 6-9 measures RH only
Eliana
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: “All is Found” and “Some things never change”
-listen to recordings to practice the words
Nov 27, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Silent Night” first two pages, hands together
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “fly me to the moon” chords in LH and melody RH
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Lay me down” by Sam Smith
How to practice it most effectively: listen to the recording – work on the low notes in the beginning (practice speaking it and then singing), and the bridge
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: piano – “Dreydl Song” page 59
Voice – “My Favourite Things”
How to practice it most effectively: Practice the dynamic changes in “My Favourite Things” (p, mf, f).
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien” page 3 first 6 measures both hands (slowly) and bottom of page 3 RH only
Jeremiah
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & recognizing notes on the bass clef (spaces: ACEG, lines: GBDFA) & Jingle Bells (right hand in G position)
Gianna
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & recognizing notes on the bass clef (spaces: ACEG, lines: GBDFA) & Jingle Bells (right hand in G position)
April 11, 2019
Carol
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Shallow”
How to practice it most effectively: practice singing chorus like we discussed; sing “ha” for each syllable first, using the diaphragm, then sing one “ha” per phrase, working to maintain momentum and breath support. Also listen to recording to familiarize with notes in the ‘bridge’ section (the wooah’s)
See you this Sunday at 2:30pm for a m-u lesson.
Daniela B.
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: “Firefly” full song (16 bars)
How to practice it most effectively: practice one half at a time (measures 1-8 and then 9-16) a few times each, and then put it all together. We might choose this one to do at the recital!
See you in two weeks on April 25th! (I am away next Thursday)
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: “Happier” on piano
How to practice it most effectively: follow your sheet with the notes we wrote down today! Next lesson we will finish writing the notes for the whole song. Practice at home by putting a sticker/tape with ‘C’ on middle C and then you can find the rest of the notes from there.
See you in two weeks on April 25th! (I am away next Thursday)
Daniela G-N
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Hold on” & “Roses” by Shawn Mendes
How to practice it most effectively: practice along with the recordings to get the right phrasing and melody. We will aim to choose one for the recital!
See you this Sunday at 4:00pm for a m-u lesson.
Sarah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: Practice “Dream a little dream of me” and “long and winding road”
How to practice it most effectively: For “Dream…” listen to Ella’s version and 1-2 others. Get ideas and familiarize with the bridge section.
For “long and winding road” practice along with recording and think of how you want to shape it (phrasing) and how to end it.
See you this Sunday at 3:15pm for a m-u lesson.
April 4, 2019
Carol
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “She used to be mine”
How to practice it most effectively: exaggerate vowels in all words hitting the high notes. practice experimenting with singing the high parts in your head voice as well as building up phrases using your diaphragm.
use the warm-up of an octave (ha, ha, ha 1358-87654321)
Daniela B.
Recommended minutes to practice: 5-10min/day
What to practice: “Firefly” the new section (bars 9-12) as well as bars 1-8
Also practice C major scale.
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 5-10min/day
What to practice: “Happier” in Am (starting note is E)
How to practice it most effectively: start with E, and see how much you can grasp of the melody! Next week we will write out the rest in notation and practice note identification.
Daniela G-N
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20min/day
What to practice: the 4 Shawn Mendes songs we covered today – narrow down to 2 options. We will work on two and choose one for the recital.
How to practice it most effectively: practice along with recording – practice along with playing chords on the piano.
Sarah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “I thought I saw your face” – practice along with recording and on your own, with starting note.
Also practice “Dream a little dream of me” -listen to 1-2 recordings to get a sense of different styles and keys.
Preferred Books for Priya Students
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Vocal Books
The Contemporary Singer
This comprehensive guide based on the curriculum of the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music is a must-have for every vocalist! Covers all the essentials, including: an overview of the singing process, treating voice as an instrument, tips for getting started and overcoming stage fright, proper posture and breathing, tone, discovering resonance, belting, diction, maintaining vocal health, mic techniques, and exercises for all voice ranges and types on the accompanying CD. Includes lead sheets for such standard vocal repertoire pieces as: Yesterday – I’m Beginning to See the Light – and I Heard it Through the Grapevine.
Vocal Workouts
The vocal workouts in this much-anticipated follow-up to Peckham’s bestselling 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. Also includes sing-along tracks to support your workout. Audio is accessed online for download or streaming and contains PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.
Piano Books
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.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
Contents include: Catch a Falling Star * Happy Birthday to You * I Got Rhythm * I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing * Lean on Me * The Lion Sleeps Tonight * The Planets, from Animaniacs * The Rose * and Star Wars (Main Theme).
Faber & Faber Pre-Time Popular
Arrangements of popular songs that beginning players will love to learn, including: The Candy Man * I Just Can’t Wait to Be King * If I Only Had a Brain * Scooby Doo Main Title * and more.
First 50 Classical Pieces
A great collection of must-know classics for all pianists. Each arrangement is simple and streamlined, yet still captures the essence of the music.
Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Level 1 Lesson Book introduces all the notes of the grand staff, elementary chord playing, and the concept of tonic and dominant notes. Students play in varied positions, reinforcing reading skills and recognizing intervals through the 5th. Musicianship is built with the introduction of legato and staccato touches. This level continues the interval orientation to reading across the full range of the Grand Staff. The 5-finger approach is presented here in a fresh, musically appealing way.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Theory Book provides instruction, reinforcement, and creative applications of basic theory concepts. Students will enjoy note-naming with StoryRhymes, explore improvisation, and engage with eye-training and ear-training activities all within a fun-filled context tied thematically to the Level 1 Lesson Book pieces.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Level 2A Lesson Book follows Piano Adventures Level 1. The book opens with a Note Reading Guide and an introduction to eighth note rhythm patterns. Students work with 5-finger transposition, functional harmony, and musical phrases. Exploration of C, G, D and A major and minor 5-finger positions builds on intervallic reading skills that were introduced in the earlier level. Appealing repertoire reinforces key concepts and encourages students to explore musical expression through varied dynamics and tempos. Selections include well-known classics from the great composers and original compositions.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Level 2A Theory Book has thematic tie-in with the Level 2A Lesson Book, inviting students into the pages for deeper understanding. A wide variety of theory activities engage students with eighth notes, phrases, transposition, and 5-finger scales. Composer biographies provide valuable context for Lesson Book pieces while helping students review key concepts.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Level 2A Performance Book offers an array of colorful elementary pieces that reinforce the concepts presented in the Lesson Book. The selections range from arrangements of classical compositions to American folk songs and imaginative originals. Students and teachers will enjoy the wide variety of sounds and musical textures in this collection.
Faber & Faber Piano Adventures
The 2nd Edition Level 2B Lesson Book offers a systematic approach to scales, primary chords (I, IV, V7), and transposition for the keys of C, G, and F major. This new edition features nine new songs, plus enhanced arrangements of favorite pieces from the first edition. The new “Scale and Chord Adventures” appendix offers teachers the flexibility to explore major and minor scale and chord patterns in all twelve keys.
