Raleigh Road Activity Centre, Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong VIC, Australia
Percussion Lessons | Drum Lessons | Aural Lessons, Theory Lessons, Music And Movement For Under Fives, VCE Music Exam Preparation, Skype Lessons
Bio
Katie Thomas is a Melbourne based percussionist, timpanist, and educator, originally from Perth, Western Australia. She has toured and performed in Europe, Asia, America, South America and Australia, and with international artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Katy Perry.
Katie performs with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Melbourne Opera, the Royal Australian Air Force Band (civilian), and the D2 Drumline. She teaches in Melbourne schools and runs the Victorian Percussion Academy.
Katie has won the Tom Kent Scholarship for performance, as well as the Ormond Exhibitions Scholarship for excellence in her studies. She has a postgraduate in Education and is currently completing her Masters of Music at the University of Melbourne. She recently completed a six month associate student program at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she majored in classical percussion.
Teaching Info
I teach a wide range of styles and genres, including:
Classical percussion is an umbrella term for a wide variety of genres, including orchestral, band, solo or chamber.
Orchestral/band: This involves orchestral or band music, including excerpts and solos. Instruments in this program include snare drum, mallet instruments, timpani, crash cymbals, bass drum and auxiliary. I also have good preparation strategies for any auditions you may have coming up, and host many concert prac classes and mock auditions.
Solo: I teach techniques in solo performance works on marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, snare, timpani or drum kit. In this area we focus on not only playing technique and the technical aspects of the piece, but also performance techniques and strategies. There is the option to enter solo competitions and take exams.
Basic Jazz/Latin: I teach very basic beginner jazz rhythms and scales, as well as latin rhythms on hand percussion i.e. bongos and congas, and the drum kit.
Junior and Youth Percussion Ensembles: I run a junior ensemble (ages 5 – 11) and a youth ensemble (ages 12 – 17). Repertoire in these ensembles include popular music and movie themes, as well as a drumline!
Toddlers music class: I run a toddlers class for 1 – 5 year olds. The class involves singing, dancing, playing percussion and having fun! The class helps toddlers develop their fine motor skills, their spacial awareness, their musical ear, and their social skills.
Lesson are a lot of fun and I am a very encouraging and supportive teacher. I will design my lesson plans around your needs and goals.