Melody Thomas, soprano and voice teacher

This is the last of the songs from our Holiday Mixtape that I have to share with you for this holiday season! I hope you have enjoyed our playlist Zoe and I met when I started conducting the Peterborough Children’s Chorus alongside Julie Deck last season. Zoe has been in the choir since she was in grade 4 and is now in grade 7. I remember hearing Julie working with the combined middle and high school ensembles about a year ago and hearing one particular voice that stuck o...ut, a voice that was having a hard time matching pitches and blending. I asked Julie after the rehearsal if she knew who it was, and she told me she did. In the younger grades, singers in grades 3 and 4 especially, the choir is very generous in our auditions and tends to accept children at a wide range of abilities, as the young singers usually get better at matching pitch and blending as they gain choir experience. Zoe had not quite figured these things out yet, but Julie told me she was really keen to help her, as Zoe brings so much to the choir with her beautiful personality, yet she wasn’t exactly sure how to help, especially when she has a whole choir to work with. Enter the private voice teacher! Zoe had a few lessons with me at the beginning of 2020, and she is such a joy to teach, so we figured out very quickly what she needed help with and progress came fast and furious. I didn’t initially have space to work with Zoe regularly, but the fact that everything started shutting down in March ended up working in her favour - between the fact that Lakefield College School closed and the fact that the choir had to go on pause, I suddenly had time to work with Zoe the way I wanted to! Zoe is keen to participate in every studio opportunity I present, knowing full well how much work is required for her to be performance ready as a very beginner singer. At our Social Distan-Sing in August, Zoe sang Ring of Keys from Fun Home and not only was every single note perfectly in tune, she was confident, expressive, and earnest. I was so proud I nearly cried. When our Holiday Mixtape rolled around, Zoe struggled a little to find something to sing - between being an old soul and being Jewish, recording Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer like any other kid might wasn’t going to cut it. We finally arrived at Auld Lang Syne, and it suits her beautifully. I could not be more proud of Zoe’s recording. Can you believe that this sweet voice ever stuck out in a choir?! From me and all of my singers, happy new year to all - here’s to more music-making in 2021

Ruth and I met a few years ago when she and her husband Murray started taking lessons alternating weeks. (Murray and Ruth are brother and sister-in-law to Colin and Joy, who I posted about a few weeks ago - I love when my students make singing a family affair!) Murray was the one who first contacted me, and thought maybe he’d share his new singing teacher with his wife, but Ruth was actually the one who found that singing really filled her with joy and became a strong passi...on. Ruth commuted between Peterborough and Durham a LOT over the past few years while caring for her late father, and since taking lessons, she would tell me all the time how she would sing so much while travelling that she often had to tell herself to stop before she got hoarse! Although songwriting is not something I’ve ever been able to do successfully, Ruth loves to compose original folk and country inspired tunes and bring them to me to get feedback on her songwriting and guitar playing as well as her singing. This is a really neat and rewarding change of pace for me, and Ruth is looking forward to eventually learning how to notate her songs, which I’m excited to help her with. Ruth’s contribution to our playlist isn’t a holiday song, and she actually wasn’t initially going to participate in our recording project because she was overwhelmed by end-of-life care for her father. But RIGHT before we were about to record, she asked if it was too late for her to participate, and if she could sing one of her original songs. Together Again is Ruth’s song about the isolation we’ve all experienced due to COVID-19 and how a sense of community will bring us the hope and strength to persevere through this pandemic. Enjoy

Tomorrow night brings an end to 2020.... will you be joining me for Zoom karaoke 8:00-10:00 for $10? Either register in the My Music Staff event, or, if you’re not on My Music Staff, send me a message or drop a comment here! ALL are welcome!

Izzy and I met quite a few years ago, when she and Ivy were at Kawartha Montessori together and Ivy’s family connected us. I then met Lizzie through Izzy, as Lizzie plays piano beautifully, and Lizzie came into one of Izzy’s occasional lessons to accompany her on a song they were doing together. Fast forward a few years, and as of the fall, I was conducting both of them in the Peterborough Children’s Chorus and finally had regular places for both of them in my studio! These... two best friends have been FABULOUSLY committed to COVID safety protocols, so even though they really wanted to participate, they kept saying how weird it felt to be anywhere outside their houses without a mask on, even though both Kane and I were masked and distanced. I’m really proud of these girls for being so safe, but I am also really proud of them for pushing through the scary feelings for just a few minutes in a safe environment so they could produce this BEAUTIFUL duet. Please enjoy their version of Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson See more

A couple of weeks ago I shared that not one but two of my singers had been celebrated by the Inspire Women’s Portrait Project on their Day of the Girl. Here is Jalen’s story. I am also incredibly proud of Jalen for having designed the BEAUTIFUL logo for the Day of the Girl, which I will post in the comments. Way to go, Jalen!

Five weeks ago yesterday, I unexpectedly had to take the day off of teaching because I woke up with my jaw locked and was in a lot of pain. This had happened t...o me on and off since the beginning of the pandemic, I imagine because of heightened stress, but September 21 was the first time a day of rest didn’t fix it. For over a month, I couldn’t open my mouth more than a centimetre or two, and some days struggled to fit a spoon or fork in my mouth. I couldn’t do any of my own singing whatsoever, and eventually had to stop vocalizing with my students entirely. Some days my throat hurt by the end of the day from talking with a locked jaw all day. I drank so many smoothies. I tried anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, acupuncture, deep tissue massage (both intra-and extra-oral), chiropractic, medicinal marijuana, self-massage with a handheld roller ball, a vibrating massager, stretches and exercises, heat, cold, a mouthguard that I spat out in my sleep every night... all to no avail. As I was falling farther and farther into a pit of despair reading horror stories about people going months or years without being able to sing and having jaw surgeries with varying degrees of success, my amazing friend and student Christie Ferguson Freeman stumbled upon a thread about the use of Botox for TMJ in one of her doctor groups on Facebook. As a dermatologist, of course Christie uses Botox in her practice all the time, but never specifically for TMJ. Christie promptly had a close colleague teach her specifically how to use Botox for TMJ, and she got me into the office immediately to try it out. Botox takes 7-10 days to reach its peak effects, and today is day 9 for me. Every day since the day after I got the injections, I have been able to open my jaw first thing in the morning. The first time, it felt like stretching my legs after the world’s LONGEST car ride! Initially, my jaw became locked again as the day went by, but the relief started to last longer and longer into the day until it didn’t lock again at all. Today I vocalized more in lessons than I have in the last few weeks combined, and I was even able to eat an apple! I’m HUGELY looking forward to trying some of my own singing tomorrow, and I can’t WAIT to get back to my own lessons. Morals of the story: 1) Christie Freeman is a top quality human being that I am so grateful to have in my life 2) If anyone else is experiencing similar grief with TMJ, consider Botox!

Guy and I met back when I was singing in the Peterborough Singers. When Guy joined the choir, he usually ended up sitting next to me, where the tenor section met the soprano section. We loved sitting together, as it’s always fun to hear more of the other parts, and to be a little more challenged at times by not having your own part in both your ears. After sitting together for awhile, Guy expressed interest in some lessons, as he’d been singing in choirs and playing in ban...ds for most of his life but had never had formal training. We started working together on occasion four years ago, and after a year or so we started meeting every week. When Guy started lessons, he had no access to his falsetto whatever, and the high part of his voice really intimidated him. After trying to introduce falsetto in a non-scary way, I remember the joy on Guy’s face when he came running into his lesson one summer day and said, Melody! I realized this week I’ve had falsetto all along! I use it every time I jump into the lake - ‘WOOHOO!’ We’ve been on such a fun journey exploring falsetto ever since. Last Christmas, Guy asked to work on Song for a Winter’s Night by Gordon Lightfoot as the falsetto at the end had always scared him, but then sang through it once and laughed at how easy it was after a few years of lessons. So when I asked him to participate in our recording project, this song was his obvious choice. Guy loves to bring the old man perspective to his songs (his words!), which he did beautifully here, accompanied by a guitar track made lovingly by his brother Ian. Enjoy his cover of Song for a Winter’s Night

For any of my students who may be confused about theory, this should clear up everything. Questions?

Thrilled to see not one but TWO of my young singers celebrated by Inspire: The Women's Portrait Project on this day, the 2020 Day of the Girl! So happy to see you honoured here, Aimée Gordon

Continuing with performances from our Social Distan-Sing when it was a little warmer outside.... Janna Stanistreet ROCKING Turn Me On by Norah Jones!

Is singing REALLY what brings Ivy here each week? Uncertain.

What better way to spend a Friday night then drinking wine, snacking, and watching a Natalie Weiss masterclass on belting for classical singers? #voicenerds

You might wanna skip this one if you're really easily grossed out. In Formant-Free Pedagogy with Shannon Coates this weekend, she shared a video of the dissection of a cow larynx, because they have all the same biological structures in their vocal tract that we do, but theirs are much bigger and easier to see. I was so fascinated that I did a little more research and found this INCREDIBLY fascinating video of the McMaster University students making the dead cow larynx MOO. They send some air through the trachea, squeeze the lateral crico- and inter- arytenoid muscles to bring the vocal folds together, tilt the larynx to change to pitch, and VOILA, dead cow is mooing. ISN'T THIS COOL?!

Okay so, straw phonation helped get Ruth up to a C#6 today full voice. AT 67 YEARS OLD. #seniorsopranosinthestratosphere

Day 2 of Formant Free Pedagogy with the marvellous Dr. Shannon Coates wrapped up today! SO nice to reconnect with some familiar faces and meet some new super cool teachers from far and wide!

Day 1 of Formant-Free Pedagogy with the always amazing Dr. Shannon Coates today! Look at this INCREDIBLE visual of how posture impacts neck and shoulder strain. Leaning over your phone/desk/piano/steering wheel can make your head weigh up to 60 POUNDS! My goodness, let's work on our posture together, friends! It doesn't happen overnight, so be patience with yourself. Can you find a few moments in your day to check in with your posture? Maybe every time you take a drink? Every time you visit the washroom? Every time you walk through a door frame? Whatever it takes!

Another one of the spectacular performances from last weeks Social Distan-Sing! Jocelyn was one of our youngest singers at 11, and she wasnt even the SLIGHTEST bit nervous. I love that shes relaxed enough to sing and focus on swatting away bugs

I could NOT be more proud of this young man. Mitchell is the first student I have attending my alma mater, so his achievements are so special to me. I cant wait to see where this next chapter takes you, Mitchell!!

I taught Colin years ago, and now I am pleased to be teaching his wife! Joy, Im so glad there is a bright side to all of this! Electric City Culture Council #artisessential

More videos from last weeks Social Distan-Sing... heres Emily just SLAYING World Burn from Mean Girls. She KILLS this song - even /I/ didnt want to have to follow this act! Check it out!!

I could not be more grateful to everyone who attended our End of Summer Social Distan-Sing last night, either to perform or to be a supportive audience member. It was so incredibly moving to be part of live music making again, and I was nearly in tears numerous times. Ill be sharing some videos over the next few days, starting with this excerpt of Ivy Morgan singing Requiem from Dear Evan Hansen

It's TODAY! and the weather is going to clear up just in time!!

Please note our change of venue from Beavermead Park to Nicholls Oval! (The outlets are REALLY far from the stage at Beavermead, and there is a volleyball league also playing music, so we are better off at Nicholls Oval.)

A few months ago, I had resigned myself to the fact that we would not be able to have our usual end of summer potluck and ice cream social concert this year. But as Peterborough has now entered stage 3, is at very low risk for COVID spreads, and outdoor events are permitted, we are going to go ahead with a modified Social Distan-Sing!

From graduating student Franny Milner and her mom Cyd Hosker.... Notebooks from Franny (Not all heroes wear capes, some teach! ); handmade print of Ella Fitzgerald wrapped in matching handmade paper from Cyd, who is not only an artist and a mom of a very talened girl but ALSO my high school art history teacher and one of the teachers who was 100% in my corner when I became homeless in high school, so these gifts are extra special to me

Monthly Masterclass #4 with the AMAZING Shannon Coates tonight! Tonight's class was FILLED with musical theatre jams, so there was lots of lip-synching and bopping along by all. We picked up some super useful singing tricks that I can't wait to try out in lessons! Thank you all for your fabulous singing, Franny, Tessa, Emily, Lizzie, Rowan, and Olyvia!

So, Ive just discovered RedBubble... and I definitely did NOT spend $60 on stickers... AHEM. Here are all the ones that appeal to my musical nerdiness... which fandoms do you spot?!

Alright so Ive been fangirling pretty hard this week... Ive been in correspondence with the incredible Christy Altomare, and she is generously going to be doing a Zoom masterclass with us October 1st! For those who dont know Christy, highlights of her career include her Broadway debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia, playing Wendla in the first national tour of Spring Awakening, and originating the title role of Anastasia on Broadway. If anyone that doesnt have a My Music Staff ...account with my studio would like to tune in and watch for $25, please give me a shout, wed love to have you! SO EXCITED!

Not normally a huge ALW fan, but let me tell you, I'm a BIG fan right now

I really, REALLY love me a hardworking beginner

First indoor dining since the pandemic started! Having a pandemic birthday really sucks, so I've been trying really hard to do a little something for every student that I can with a birthday since March, especially the kiddos. Happy 13th birthday Kelly! (Although we decided she was 12 when I went to pay for sushi.... Kelly decided she was going to be 12 at the cash register until shes about 15 )

Never gets old

Sending all the luck to Annie Madelyn today as she sings her RCM 4 Voice exam. Annie is my first student embarking on a remote exam, so she is exploring new frontiers! Good luck Annie, youre going to ROCK IT!

I love keeping tabs on my former students and what theyre doing now. Aiden was the first student that I had pursue musical theatre in post-secondary school, and one of the first students I had major in music after graduating high school at all. In just one year, Aiden and I prepared her for auditions and she attended St. Lawrence College for musical theatre. She tagged me in this recording of an original song she has worked very hard on and is excited to release into the w...orld, and its just magical so I wanted to share it. She says: It is with great pride and vulnerability that I share one of the most rewarding pieces of art that I have worked on in a long time. This is an original song titled The Patience of an Artist, and it is the very first song I've ever recorded on my own, put together 100% by myself. There is so much that I still have to learn, like how to edit sound better, add instrumentation digitally to supplement the instruments I can't play, I still need to finish my studio space so that I don't have background noise (this track features one of my lovely doggo's toes clacking on the floor). I have SO much learning still to do. However, this song is a reflection of all of the learning I've done. When writing this piece I thought a lot about the individuals who have shaped my life and made me a better person and performer, and have always encouraged me to strive for the most and have patience that what's meant to be will be in time. If I've tagged you here it is because you are one of the many wonderful people who has helped me in my journey. I hope this brings you joy.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to vote for me and Bill Juby as Peterboroughs Best Music Instructor and Peterboroughs Best Personal Trainer in the Peterborough Examiner's 2020 Readers Choice Awards! We would love your help to ensure that we make it to the next round: the voting! Please click below to nominate me as Peterboroughs Best Music Instuctor, and find Bill Juby - Personal Trainer under People/Professionals > Personal Trainer!

So Bill just pointed out to me that after being voted Peterborough's Best Music Instructor 2020 by MyKawartha's Peterborough This Week, I have ALSO been nominated for Best Music Instructor in the Peterborough Examiner's Readers Choice Awards! There are more nominees this time, so I would love your help by August 2nd to ensure that I make it to the next round: the voting! Please click below to nominate me! (Bonus: Bill Juby - Personal Trainer was nominated for best personal trainer too! Nominate him under People/Professionals > Personal Trainer!)

I joined the Peterborough Singers when I was 17 years old, exactly one day after I became homeless. It had been a goal of mine throughout all of my high school singing. This choir became a family to me at a time that I had none, and it was a big struggle for me to choose to finally leave years later when my teaching became overwhelmingly successful and I needed some time to focus on my own solo career as well. I am SO very fortunate that the Singers continue to be a huge p...art of my Village, and that they allow me to join their ranks again at times like this when connection through music is harder to come by. This experience was particularly impactful for me as it brought back fond memories of singing this arrangement of Bridge Over Troubled Water with Christine Slevan and the PCVS Singers. Thank you Melissa Wotherspoon for the INCREDIBLE work you did bringing this project together. My face was glowing the whole time I watched it. See more

Thanks to Sarah Elinor for sharing this with me... I try so hard not to be this teacher but I don't think I'm very successful ahahaha... and occasionally I have a student insist (wrongly ) that they can't perform if I don't do this

We are so very grateful to Shannon Coates for joining us for our third monthly masterclass tonight! I love sharing my students with you!

Hey all, I have a last minute lesson opening Tuesday (tomorrow) at 2:45 that I can't fill, which NEVER happens! Anyone wanna sing for an hour tomorrow, on Zoom or in my studio?

One more update from my studio graduates that are pursuing music at the post-secondary level this fall! Annie Yiting Da has chosen to attend the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where she has been accepted with a $100,000 scholarship. GGS has a total of only 130 students, and only accepted THREE singers last year! Here is a recording Annie made to be played at Lakefield College Schools closing chapel last month. Dedicated to her graduating class and r...ecorded live in Hangzhou, province of Zhejiang, China, Annie is singing, "When I Have Sung my Songs" by Ernest Charles. When I have sung my songs to you, I'll sing no more. 'Twould be a sacrilege to sing at another door. We've worked so hard to hold our dreams, just you and I. I could not share them all again." I am so proud of everything you have achieved, Annie!

Domed performance masks for singers! These look incredible!!

Another fabulous masterclass with Shannon Coates this evening - such good singing from Sarah Elinor, Keevin Carter, Izzy Lloyd, Shay Burd, Joe Dawson, and Sierra Gibb! Shannon, we are so grateful for your expertise and super easygoing and encouraging attitude. So looking forward to the next one July 22nd!

Results from the Ontario Music Festivals Associations virtual provincial festival have just been posted, and Ivy Lorraine placed second in her class! She competed alongside 60+ other 13 and 14 year olds across the province, and I am so very proud of her hard work. Way to go Ivy!