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
Is Priya Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
April 10, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: practice the beginning of “Jurassic Park” theme
How to practice it most effectively: watch the video of your lesson for reminders on notes and fingers.
Also practice C major scale, both hands separate.
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Hedwig’s Theme”
How to practice it most effectively: practice all 3 pages, slowly. Play 2-4 bars at a time and refer to your music to make sure you know which part you’re at. This is especially helpful whenever there are ‘repeat’ signs. Next week I will bring a copy of “Raider’s of the Lost Ark” and “E.T. Theme”
Melody
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Impossible”
How to practice it most effectively: Start to memorize the song, playing each section several times (e.g. verse 1, then chorus) until you feel confident (hands together) and then move on. Use the video as a guide if you get stuck.
Evora
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Can’t take my eyes off of you” (key F major) and “Killing me softly” (E minor – same as Fugees version)
How to practice it most effectively: use the recordings as guides for phrasing. For “killing me softly” practice the verses and the improv part (‘wooah’)
Jennifer
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Let’s do it (let’s fall in love)”
How to practice it most effectively: listen to Ella’s version and 1-2 others. We will keep building on this (with the correct lyrics). Also practice “My Funny Valentine”
April 3, 2019
Mtabisi
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: C major scale and G major scale
Also practice chords for “Let It Be”
Verse: C major (CEG), G (GBD), Am (ACE), F (FAC)
C major, G major, F major, Em (EGB), Dm (DFA), C major
How to practice it most effectively: watch the video you took in class
Ezra
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: page 3 of “Hedwig’s Theme”
Bring a book (equivalent to Level 1 or 2 Piano Adventures) to next class. I’ll also bring the John Williams book!
Melody
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Impossible”
How to practice it most effectively: begin to memorize the song, using the video as a tool and for guidance. Practice playing both hands together at a slow speed.
Kevin
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: “Peanuts theme”
How to practice it most effectively: listen to the recording as a guide (to understand the ‘feel’) and practice slowly, counting the rhythm, one note at a time (hands together)
Jennifer
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15min/day
What to practice: My Foolish Heart (key of G, similar to Frank Sinatra’s version) & My Funny Valentine
Focus on phrasing and breath support to carry the phrases!
Nov 15-22
Natalia
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 min/day
What to practice: “Almost enough” – sing through the whole song, pay attention to any areas where you feel there is strain or tension, and start the phrase again with strong breath support. Also try to imagine where the sound is coming from, if using your head voice, think of a ‘lift’ at the top of your head.
How to practice it most effectively: Sing through sections first. Sing through the chorus on its own, stop if you encounter any difficulty and start again. Practice the improvising verse (oohs and ahs) and allow yourself to explore freely!
Harlowe
Recommended minutes to practice: 10-15 min/day
What to practice: warm-ups (lip trills & meows & breathing sips) & song “It’s only getting better”
How to practice it most effectively: practice standing in a relaxed posture (chest, neck, and shoulders relaxed) and use a ‘pretend’ microphone. try to test yourself with memorization by singing it without looking at the lyrics. listen to the recording to get the starting note, and then sing acapella.
How parents can support practice: encourage to find a consistent time each or every other day before/after dinner or before/after homework etc. Try to get Harlowe to teach you some of what she has learned!
Great work, see you next week :)
Nov 8-15
Beverley
Practice warm-ups 5-10min each day. Practice the following songs:
“Somewhere over the rainbow” (key of Bb) – focus on exaggerating vowels and getting enough breath support to carry those nice long phrases
“Yellow Brick Road” – listen to the recording and familiarize with the phrasing/flow. Try out the chorus and again, exaggerate vowels and let the sound release (imagine the rainbow!)
Natalia
Practice warm-ups 5-10 min/day. Listen to “Make you feel my love” & “When we were young” and choose which one you like better! We can start working on one of them next week :)
Keep practicing “Almost is never enough.” Play around with improvising (different oo’s and ah’s) for the one free verse. So far it’s sounding great!
Daksh
Try playing the different groups of black keys (2 or 3) using the 2, 3, and 4 fingers (on each hand). Also, listen to “Count on me” & “Yellow Submarine” & “What does the fox say” :)
Harlowe
Practice singing “It’s only getting better” along with the recording and also acapella (by yourself without the music). We will keep practicing it next week with the piano. Remember to use your diaphragm to get a strong voice and lots of breath!
Daniela
Practice “One day” – when you’re singing the high part in the chorus try to keep your jaw loose to get nice long vowels and lots of air flow! Sing with or in front of a friend if you can!
-Have a lovely week!
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.
