Kit Thornberry

Hi! My name is Kit. I am a successful studio musician, songwriter, and touring musician. Most recently I was the Keyboardist/Guitarist/Musical Director for World Famous Violinist/Dancer Lindsey Stirling. I have shared the stage with many other notable performers including, Sabrina Carpenter Amy Lee (Evanescence), ZZ ward, Andrew McMahon, Carah Faye (Shiny Toy Guns), Trevor Turndrup (Moon Taxi), Grammy Winners, and many many others. I have played sold out headlining shows at acclaimed venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, The Hammersmith Apollo in London, and festivals including Lollapalooza (Chicago and Berlin), Outside Lands, Billboard (New York) and many many others. I have appeared on TV shows Conan, The Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kelly and Ryan, The Disney Channel Awards and others. 

In The studio. I have played on tracks by One Direction, Robbie Williams, Lissie, and dozens of other local and international artists. I have released two self produced albums under the artist name Kit Nolan, as well as under my own band name "Moonlit Kit." I have also written or produced hundreds of tracks for other artists. 

*** Lesson Details *** 
First and foremost we will have a great time, and you will learn a ton. If you choose to only practice while we are in our lessons, you will get a little better. If apply the techniques and ideas we come up with during our lesson during the week, and practice everyday, you will improve in ways you never thought possible.

Voice:

If you are coming for voice you will learn to extend your range, intonation, pitch, as well as ways to connect with your audience. I concentrate on understanding the voice, rather than just mystical ideas like Chest Head and Mix Voice, or blind mimicry. I was NOT a "natural" when it came to singing. I struggled as much, or probably more than you currently do. I still have to work everyday on my technique and fighting off bad habits I developed over years and years of inferior voice lessons, or trying to learn on my own. My entire goal and focus is to make sure you have the most direct path toward improving your voice, and avoiding all the pitfalls I suffered through. Sometimes we will do our training through things like scales on a certain sounds, and sometimes just through the songs YOU love. I have a distinct advantage over many voice teachers in that whatever struggles you have, I almost for sure have BEEN THERE, and know what it feels like, and knows how to overcome the challenges. 

Piano/Keyboards:

  If you are coming for keyboards, I will emphasis the style of music YOU are interested in, whether pop/rock, jazz or even classical. Or maybe you are singer-songwriter looking to accompany yourself on keys or guitar, I have had 100's of hours performing solo gigs on both keyboard and guitar. I can also give you the fundamentals to set yourself up for success on Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Drums, as well as the Recording Arts. The main thing with the way I teach piano that separates me from other teacher, I do not typically teach reading music. (What????!!!). There are 1000's of other teachers who teach by tons of scales and sight reading that way that do a terrific job, and if it is what you are looking for, I would advise you to go with a teacher who specializes in that. I teach from a chord, song, and improvisational heavy standpoint, and have come up with other written helpful cues. I have ught musicians who have sold literally 100's of MILLIONS of records (seriously), and also absolute beginners and everything in between! 

Guitar:

I teach up to intermediate level. I teach from a song heavy standpoint, meaning we learn not only the songs you love, but what exactly they are doing in that song that you can apply toward your skills on the instrument. We will also learn how to incorporate scales to help you solo, or different ways to play chords so you can strum along to your own songs, or your favorite ones! Whether you want to play a solo with the spotlight on you at Red Rocks Amphitheater (as I have! I can show you the video!), or just want to play around a campfire with your friends, I can help you in a fun and engaging way. 

Songwriting/Production Help

I have been writing songs since I was 9 years old. I have been recording myself at a high level for over 20 years. Whether you need some guidance on developing your songs to higher level, or getting your production skills in order (I mostly work in Logic Pro but can adapt to other Daw's), I can help you do both! 

*** Specialties *** 
I have studied just about every technique of vocals out there, and developed my own method I call Streamline Vocal Method™. We will find the areas that hold you back in your singing goals, and we will DEMOLISH them. Piano I am well versed in many of the Pop style Piano including Blues Piano, Funk, Singer-Songwriter, R&B, country, as well as atmospheric or synth playing (EG, playing strings convincingly on a keyboard). I can also teach beginning to lower intermediate Guitar and Bass guitar, teach you not only chord structures and scales, but how to get the most creatively out of your 4 or 6 string beast. We will learn songs and apply the theory involved with each song to better yourself as a musician, while loving the process. 

I teach online so that I can reach anybody in the world without them having to leave the comfort of their home or office. I have taught many lessons online and have mastered how to listen with an "adjusted ear" to take into account how camera mics alter the frequency range. 

You will love how much you will learn with me, as well as how much fun we will have. I have been lucky enough to make my living on music, I have toured the world several times over, and I'd love to share my passion and knowledge with you!