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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November 20, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Somewhere over the rainbow” page 2 (2nd section)
Let me know which Christmas song we should start next week, I’ll also bring “Silent Night”.
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: The chords for “Fly me to the moon” in right hand and left hand
Next week I’ll bring a copy of “Mountain King” and we’ll continue from page 1.
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: “Fly me to the moon” & “Prom Queen”
How to practice it most effectively: For “fly me to the moon” work on the notes at the end of each chorus: “in other words, hold my hands” & “in other words, darling kiss me”
For “Prom Queen”, sing along with the recording to get the phrasing (some phrases are less predictable in timing), and practice the chorus, using your diaphragm to sing strongly without straining from the throat.
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 15 min every other day
What to practice: piano – “Dreydl Song” page 59
Voice – “My Favourite Things” & “Million Dreams”
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” (first 9-12 bars of page 3, RH only first) & “Thriller” (chords of 1st verse) *I will bring the print-out next week*
Eliana
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min every other day
What to practice: singing “A whole new world” & “A million dreams”
How to practice it most effectively: Practice our breathing warm-up (inhaling sips of air and exhaling ‘tss’). Also practice ‘meows’ in different voices to warm-up. Listen to recording of “Million Dreams” to get the words for 2nd verse.
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)
Also: “Firefly” in Piano Adventures Level 1 (page 8)
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)
Also: “Sailing in the Sun” in Piano Adventures Level 1 (page 11)
Oct 30, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Somewhere over the rainbow” page 2 (2nd section)
How to practice it most effectively: hands together slowly, sing or hum while playing. Pay attention to the areas where your right hand needs to change position.
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: The chords for “Fly me to the moon” & right hand melody (verse only)
How to practice it most effectively: Hum/sing the song while playing. Repeat several times.
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Fly me to the moon” & “Head Above Water”
How to practice it most effectively: For “fly me to the moon” work on the notes at the end of each chorus: “in other words, hold my hands” & “in other words, darling kiss me” (listen to recording)
For “Head Above Water”, practice engaging the diaphragm and taking deep breaths (especially for chorus).
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: piano – “Jazzy Joe” full song Piano Adventures 1 pg 53 (both hands)
Voice – “My Favourite Things” & “Million Dreams”
How to practice it most effectively: Practice along with recording of “Million Dreams”.
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20min/day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien” (first 6 bars of page 3) & “Thriller” (chords of 1st verse)
Eliana
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min every other day
What to practice: singing “A whole new world” & “A million dreams”
How to practice it most effectively: Listen to the recording and sing along. Practice our breathing warm-up (inhaling sips of air and exhaling ‘tss’). Also practice ‘meows’ in different voices to warm-up. Listen to recording of “Million Dreams” to get the words for 2nd verse.
Jeremiah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & recognizing notes on the bass clef (spaces: ACEG, lines: GBDFA)
Also: “Firefly” in Piano Adventures Level 1 (page 8)
Gianna
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & recognizing notes on the bass clef (spaces: ACEG, lines: GBDFA)
Also: “Firefly” in Piano Adventures Level 1 (page 8)
March 21
*REMINDER – there are NO lessons next Thursday March 28th!*
Carol
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “She used to be mine”
How to practice most effectively: for the chorus, practice with “na” first before transitioning to words. Try to sustain the power and breath support from “na” to singing the words.
Daniela B.
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: writing songs (using quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes)
How to practice most effectively: Write any sequence of notes (single quarter/half/whole notes, not on any clef) and then clap them and/or play them on the piano.
*Your book is safe in the Lost&Found at ABC -maybe one of your siblings can pick it up for you next Thursday!*
Daksh
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: singing and listening to songs that we’ve sung (“A little help from my friends” & “Baby Beluga” & “What a wonderful world”) and come up with different things to say or sound effects for different emotions. E.g. ‘scared’ = “oh no!” (cover face)
Have an amazing time in India! :)
Daniela G-N
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min/day
What to practice: “Impossible” by Shontelle
How to practice most effectively: practice directly along with the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74KBWGWE4ug
(to get the exact notes – you can speed it up to 1.5)
Sarah
Recommended minutes to practice: 15min/day
What to practice: “Blue Skies” & “I’ll be seeing you”
How to practice most effectively: practice along with the recordings we discussed – try to mimic the ornamentations and scatting-like parts.
*REMINDER – there are NO lessons next Thursday March 28th!*
March 7
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: Cmajor scale on piano/keyboard (once you have one at home). Also practice improvising (creating your own song) using only the black keys/white keys.
Carol
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: the full song “She used to be mine”
How to practice it most effectively: focus on the chorus – before singing the words, practice on “na”, pay attention to your breath support – is the diaphragm engaged? Also, exaggerate the vowels (use British accent when necessary).
Daniela B.
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: Cmajor scale and ‘Firefly’ from your book. We have been playing through little duets in my book “Step by step piano Couse by Edna Mae Burnam” Book One. The duets are going really well!
Daksh
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: “Old MacDonald” using only black keys. Also practicing finding the notes (ABCDEFG) on the piano.
Listen to “I’m a believer” and “What a wonderful world.”
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice: “Happier” on piano – we started on ‘E’ (different key than the original)
How to practice effectively: sing while playing, to match the words to the melody
Daniela G-N
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “I’ll never love again”
How to practice it most effectively: for the high parts, focus on maintaining breath support (standing is most effective) . listen to the recording for help with certain parts – when in doubt, write down the notes and use the piano to match pitch. Keep it up!
Sarah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Blue Skies”
How to practice it most effectively: listen to 2 (or more) different versions of the song – pick the parts you like. sing along, note what is challenging/interesting. Carry the phrases – breathe where we marked it today.
Listen to “Vienna” by Billy Joel.
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.