MUSIC THEORY TEACHER

Based in Stratford, Ontario, Kathleen Wood has had a long career as a music theory teacher, having begun teaching while still in high school. Offering private lessons has allowed her to specialize in adapting instruction to each individual student and their particular interests. In her teaching, Kathleen emphasizes the connection between theory and making  music. Rather than just learning theory at a desk and from a book, students are given opportunities to learn how theory applies to the music they make. Ear training is also prioritized in this approach. 

Please see the "Lessons" page for more detailed information about registering for music theory lessons with Kathleen.

B I O

Originally from Duncan BC, Kathleen Wood began her early studies of piano and theory in Saskatchewan, at the Regina Conservatory of Music where her piano teacher was Gordon Wallis. Kathleen then earned a Bachelor of Music degree (major in music history and literature) from the University of Toronto, where she studied piano with Andrew Markow. This was followed by several years of composition study with Dr. Alexander Rapoport at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Kathleen joined the College of Examiners at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1995, and over the years, has marked several thousands of rudiments, harmony, counterpoint, and analysis examinations.  From 1999 to 2014 she served as the Junior Harmony Coordinator, a role in which she was responsible for developing marking schemes for use by the team of harmony examiners.  She has also served on the Council of Examiners and presented workshops for teachers.  Kathleen has set and edited examination papers in a wide range of grades and subjects, served on review panels, and mentored new examiners.

Kathleen has contributed to several publications of The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited.  She revised, updated, and edited Elementary Rudiments of Music by the late Barbara Wharram (2005, 2010).  She served as content editor for the three-volume Harmony series by Mark Sarnecki (2002, 2003, and 2005, second edition 2010);

Kathleen provided several arrangements and figured-bass realizations for the Royal Conservatory series of graded repertoire books published by Frederick Harris.  Her work appears in series for Violin (2006 and 2013 editions), Flute (2010), Voice (2012), Viola (2013), Cello (2013), Trumpet (2013), and Saxophone (2014).

 Kathleen has composed original works for piano, voice, choir, and chamber groups and often draws upon historical styles in her compositions.

 A long-time student of yoga, Kathleen recently spent several months at the Yasodhara ashram in Kootenay Bay, BC where she took part in the 2016 Yoga Development Course.