Katherine Farnham

by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham 

The tradition of private piano and vocal lessons has been going on for centuries. This is an interesting fact to consider. It may seem odd to reflect upon and truly grasp this understanding - through the lens of our tech savvy and globally oriented culture. Even in the eighteenth century when Johann Sebastian Bach was wearing a powdered wig and knickers while teaching his one hundred music students - there were still people playing keyboard instruments and singing. Teachers…

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by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham

What do you feel is your biggest challenge right now? 

Many of us in 2020 and 2021 have dealt with many external challenges and frustrations. One of the biggest problems I see consistently however at any time with people is just simply focusing on the work. Why? There can be so many distractions to this that sometimes one can get off the path. Not only that, there is discomfort associated with growth so if you are growing sometimes you may be uncomfortable and this can…

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by Katherine ‘KOOL KAT’ Farnham 

Many people come to me and talk about how they are frustrated and how they have not achieved the place in life that they want to get to. Many of these people have much natural talent. The more they talk however, the more I start to notice subtle habits and attitudes that may be preventing them from achieving more. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Do you have a sense for what yours are? 

I want you to know you are not alone. Most successful people go thru a great deal…

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by Katherine Farnham

I love the beach. I can’t help it. Growing up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I experienced the cruel humiliation of having to wear a snowsuit to school during the winter when I was eight. This particular wardrobe choice (which was of course forced upon me most unwillingly) may have been enough to plant seeds inspiring me to move to warm climates as an adult. I suppose if you are in Antarctica, it’s a different matter altogether. It’s not that I dislike cold weather. I love the…

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by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham

Hello Folks!

Thanks for reading this blog post. I know that you have choices when it comes to your education and I appreciate the time that you've set aside to read this information. I hope this will give you a clearer idea of what the benefits are of beginning or continuing private study. 

A BALANCED APPROACH
The first thing I do is work to learn about students, communicate and build trust. Communication is so important. I honor the timeless tradition of the Artist Teacher… Read more

by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' FARNHAM

The first thing I do with students is not to teach music at all. What? Yes you heard that right. The first thing I do with new students is actually to work on building trust. Why? Because trust is the most important foundation for any type of relationship, including the teacher/student relationship.  Without a certain level of trust, the message of truth and love in education cannot get across. Students will not grow. Teachers cannot do their jobs. Opportunities for growth…

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by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham 

It’s funny the memories that flash through your mind sometimes. It’s interesting -  the moments that stick with you. 

It was a life changing experience to teach in the Los Angeles inner city. I’ll never forget it. A few days ago I remembered the face of a boy who was in my class years ago. 

During my first few years living in LA, I taught in Los Angeles and Compton. The LA teaching site was an after school program. We provided the musical portion of the activities for the…

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by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham 

Hello there and welcome! I hope this finds you well and staying safe. This article will address an important topic: self care for singers. You probably know a bit about this, but let's look at it from a few different angles for best results. During challenging times, what types of activities give you peace and strength? Even though all of us are different, there are a few components that everyone should try to address to the best of their ability. These components are: 

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by Katherine ‘KOOL KAT’ Farnham 

I had my first experience as a jazz vocal soloist at the age of five. At that time of course I did not understand what jazz was but I knew I loved the melodic structure and rhythms. Even after attending undergraduate school I still heard many musicians asking “What is jazz?” I found this to be extremely odd! How would I ever grow within a genre that no one could even define? It felt ridiculous. However, as time passed and I matured as a musician I began to think that one’s…

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by Katherine 'KOOL KAT' Farnham 

The following story is true. It is a testimony to the power of music to overcome fear, misunderstanding and prejudice. 

When I first moved to Southern California I was performing live, recording and teaching music at a private school. Most of the students were Korean and the teachers represented a mix of different ethnic backgrounds. The head of my location was a beautiful and fun lady, with an eccentric personality and a desire to help people. I enjoyed talking with her…

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