Kathryn Sonners Tuttle
I have been fortunate in my music career to not only have performing and recording opportunities, but also to teach at the same time. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else and love to help others understand this seemingly mysterious area of performing. To be a “Triple Threat” in this business of entertainment is invaluable. Whether the goal is to become a performer or just be confident to sing in a group, learning to control the voice can benefit everyone for the rest of their life.
I grew up in Oregon and Washington State. I have performed at various collegiate and professional events, while working toward my B.A. in Music from Brigham Young University. Here I studied Vocal Technique, Dance, Music Dance Theatre and Education. I studied under professionals including those who teach the likes of Celine Dion and Josh Groban as well as the head of BYU’s international performers the Young Ambassadors, Randy Boothe. I recorded my first album “Be There”, named for the song I wrote as the theme, with Tyler Castleton. I have recorded on various albums as lead vocal and back-up as well. I have traveled to promote my own album as well as others. I also taught for Showtime Music Dance Theatre Company in Utah as an MDT instructor as well as Private Vocal Instructor.
I then taught in New Jersey where my husband, Matt earned his Law Degree. We lived about 15 miles from New York City and were able to visit frequently! I established my own private studio clientele and also taught for Stars Theatre Performing Company. It was a great experience with students going for auditions in New York, needing various preparations for whatever their agents found for them, sometimes at the last minute! It was great talent to work with! I was also able to be the director for Music Dance Theatre Camps during the summer and create programs from the newest Broadway shows coming out.
My teaching: If you can speak you can sing! With vocal technique exercises you can train the voice to work properly and then apply various styles smoothly once everything is working correctly. Too many times vocalists work backwards- learning the song first, trying to work all the difficult parts out, stylizing and working on performing issues all at the same time. Vocal exercises, just like correct exercises for the rest of the body, provide a basis for all the things you choose to use your voice for. No matter what age, it's never too soon or too late.
Early Childhood Education/ Music Experience
I have also had the opportunity to be a Music Specialist teaching Music Literacy Enrichment classes for Musically Yours with Six Months through Kindergarten ages. I assisted in updating the curriculum they were using as well as presenting workshops for Musically Yours to keep music classes going in schools.
Before motor skills are developed to be able to play an instrument, children can learn so many aspects of music literacy. By the time their motor skills are ready to play, children can already understand how to read music, find notes on the piano, and understand rhythms and dynamics. This will make their future lessons in any instrument much simpler, with less frustration, and will be more likely to keep them up. Strong foundations in any subject, especially music, help the student to expand their knowledge as they are more able to relate new information.
My teaching: As Jerome Bruner said “You can teach anything in an intellectually honest way if you know the basic structure of your subject, and how the learner learns.” In my music classes I use Early Childhood games, songs and activities and relate them to music. They think they are just having fun playing games like Memory, Fishing, Bingo, Bowling etc…, but when related to music, they are learning musical concepts.
Music classes I teach emphasize Language Development, Social Skills, Listening, Ear Training, Vocal Development, Problem Solving, Creative Thinking, Motor Skills and Emotions. We learn Loud & Soft, Fast & Slow, High & Low as well as identifying percussion instruments and elements of music literacy. Infants to Age 2 can start with many activities involving exposure to music and benefit the most from being with a parent or caretaker. Ages 2-4 are exposed to these same elements, but focused toward their level of understanding. Ages 4-5 specifically work toward learning to read music and relate it to the piano. All of these things are learned through familiar and new early-childhood games applied to music. Of course the curriculum involves the basics of singing favorite songs and new songs!
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to be in touch soon!
Sincerely,
Kathryn Sonners Tuttle
658 North 100 East Spanish Fork, UT 84660
TheRealKathryn@gmail.com
www.therealkathryn.com
(801) 921-0514
