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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Sept 25, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Somewhere over the rainbow” page 1
How to practice it most effectively: hands together slowly, be careful of times when the RH moves position
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien’s Theme” measures 1-8 & “Paper Airplane” in the red book (Level 1) pg 24
How to practice it most effectively: practice slowly and focus on where the notes on the treble and bass clef align
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Dream a little dream of me” & “Edelweiss”
How to practice it most effectively: for “Dream…” practice the bridge along with Ella Fitzgerald’s recording
For “Edelweiss” focus on breathing and singing long phrases.
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice:
Piano – “London symphony” measures 1-4 in Piano Adventures 1 pg 52
Voice – “My Favourite Things”
How to practice it most effectively: for “London Symphony” practice slowly and watch for where the notes align.
For “favourite things” focus on the chorus: when the dog bites, when the bee stings… using your diaphragm
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20min/day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien’s Theme” – page 2 (new section – 8 measures)
How to practice it most effectively: count the beats aloud (eighth notes) and go slowly, allowing the notes to line up
Eliana
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min every other day
What to practice: singing “A whole new world” & “Somewhere over the rainbow”
How to practice it most effectively: sing along with recordings and acapella – see how many words you can remember
Jeremiah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately
“I just can’t wait to be king”
How to practice it most effectively: sing the words while playing so that you don’t miss any notes
Practice seeing if you can identify the notes on the treble clef
Gianna
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & “Ode to Joy”
How to practice it most effectively: practice with both hands in ‘C’ position
Also practice seeing if you can identify the notes on the treble clef
Sept 18, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Somewhere over the rainbow” page 1
How to practice it most effectively: hands together slowly, hum/sing melody while playing
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien’s Theme” measures 1-8
How to practice it most effectively: practice slowly and focus on where the notes on the treble and bass clef align
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Dream a little dream of me” – listen to 2 different versions & “Hollywood”
How to practice it most effectively: for “Dream…” practice the bridge along with Ella Fitzgerald’s recording
For “Hollywood” listen to the recording and practice each part (in a lower key)
Anastasiya
Recommended minutes to practice: 10min/day
What to practice:
Piano – “Row row row your boat” in Piano Adventures 1
Voice – “My Favourite Things” & “The Sound of Music”
How to practice it most effectively: for piano – practice “Row row” with your brother or parent doing the canon
For voice – listen to the recordings from the musical and sing along!
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20min/day
What to practice: “Mia and Sebastien’s Theme” – page 2 (new section – 8 measures)
How to practice it most effectively: with metronome at 50bpm (for 8th note, not quarter note)
Eliana
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min every other day
What to practice: singing “Speechless” & “Somewhere over the rainbow”
How to practice it most effectively: sing along with recordings and acapella – see how many words you can remember!
How parents can support practice: help with learning lyrics by going over the parts that are less known (usually middle/end of the song)
Jeremiah
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately
“I just can’t wait to be king”
How to practice it most effectively: sing the words while playing so that you don’t miss any notes
Gianna
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale, both hands separately & “Ode to Joy”
How to practice it most effectively: practice with both hands in ‘C’ position
e: Priya Shah Thursdays
Natalia
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: warm-ups, and “Almost is never enough” for the recital
How to practice it most effectively: warm-ups for 5-10min, take a 15-20 min break, then practice the song
-make sure your neck, shoulders, and chest are relaxed!
Daksh
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day or every other day
What to practice: creating little melodies on only the white keys, then only the black keys. try to play different tempos (slower vs. faster) and travel all across the keyboard, L-R or R-L
How to practice it most effectively: use all your fingers while playing (including thumbs and pinkies if possible!)
How parents can support practice: encourage time for exploration – maybe try playing recordings of songs and he can play along with them
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day or every other day
What to practice: making up short songs (like we did today) about a toy or object
practice “It’s only getting better” to a steady beat of a drum or by yourself
How to practice it most effectively: write some lyrics down to refer to, maybe create a short melody on the piano to go along with them
How parents can support practice: encourage improvisation & practicing singing
Mark
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: major scales (C, G, D) RH and LH separately
-“Silent Night” chords left hand, melody right hand
How to practice it most effectively: in little bits at a time (1 bar, then 2 bars etc.). it can also be helpful to sing or hum the notes while playing them.
Great work! Have a great weekend :)
Nov 22-29
Natalia
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day
What to practice: warm-ups, the songs “Almost Enough” & “When we were young”
How to practice it most effectively:
“Almost enough”: practice singing the whole song, give yourself lots of breath support during the chorus, and allow yourself freedom during the improvisatory verse
How parents can support practice: encourage warm-ups each day and always before beginning to practice song
Daksh
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min every other day
What to practice: playing piano along with Christmas songs (recordings) or when someone is singing, you can improvise using the white keys
-you can try the “Carol of the Bell’s” part (C-B-C-A)
-practice what you were doing today, playing a ‘sandwich’ on the keys (with one or two keys in the middle of the sandwich)
How to practice it most effectively: start a rhythm and try to keep it up
How parents can support practice: play together at the keyboard :)
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min every other day
What to practice: singing “It’s only getting better” without looking at the lyrics and with beating a drum or tapping a rhythm on something
How to practice it most effectively: practice standing up and as you beat the drum more loudly at the chorus, try to sing more strongly as well, especially during the “oooooooh, it’s only getting better” part
How parents can support practice: tap the drum while she sings, then alternate (she taps the drum while you try the song)
Daniela
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day
What to practice: “One day” & “Supermarket Flowers”
How to practice it most effectively: follow the tempo of the song (listen to the recording first if necessary), and sing each song fully through. memorize the lyrics (especially for the one you will sing at the show)! Allow the back of the throat to open and your mouth to form a big vowel of ‘ah’ or ‘oo’ when you are singing the choruses of each song – that way your voice will soar up to the high notes.
Also, make sure to stand when you practice!
Mark
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day (when you have access to piano/keyboard)
What to practice: C major scale
How to practice it most effectively: remember the fingerings (RH: 12312345, 54321321 & LH:54321321, 12312345)
Think of a song(s) you want to learn. I will bring a few that we can look at next week.
Great work!
Preferred Books for Priya Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
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.