Katherine Svistoonoff, DMA

I took Dr. Shipmans Aural Comprehension course in college, and to this day it is the most valuable (and my favorite) course that Ive ever taken as a musician. Training our ears is critical to musical development, and her methods of training the ear to identify single or multiple intervals, as well as chords and chord progressions were vital in my growth as a musician, and to this day help me with similar skills such as transposing and even sight-singing. I wouldnt be the musician I am today without her guidance!

Katherine is one of the most inspiring teachers Ive ever had. 10 years later and I still reference her lessons. If youre looking for a boring lecture with no real life application, this is NOT your guide. Thanks for the musical lessons and the life lessons. There are some people that leave a mark on your heart. She is one of them.

She was friendly, clear, and demanding. She always had clear and high expectations. Sometimes I thought there was no way that I would be able to reach those expectations, but Dr. S was always there to provide additional support, and encouragement. It was so refreshing to be working with someone who demanded the best from me. It changed my life and I am a better person and musician for it.

I was a big flop at Music Theory when I started. They tried to give me the placement test, and I was like -- but seriously, if I dont know any of this, can I just leave and you put me in the lowest level youve got? Cue Dr. Shipman. She took something I knew little about, and made it fun. She was engaging and exciting; very tough but also very fair. I enjoyed learning from her every class -- so much I came back for a second semester with her. She found nontraditional ways to approach the traditional, and I still find myself clapping a contra beat every once in a while years later. Thanks, Dr. S, for being such a big part of my college experience. <3