b i o g r a p h y
Growing up, Kaitie always identified as an artist. She started performing at the age of 8 as a pianist and vocalist in bars and clubs across BC. Simultaneously, she was developing herself as a visual artist before eventually gravitating full-time to music. Kaitie’s career as a performing and session musician on piano, vocals and bass has spanned over two decades in Canada, the US, and the UK. Her expertise on the bass have earned her recognition on the player spotlight of www.notreble.com. Other highlights include the chance to perform with Motown Superstar, Martha Reeves, and at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, UK.
As a music educator and author, Kaitie has taught music for over 15 years and has published a series of electric bass method books, Beginner Series: Bass Method, volumes 1-6, which have received high acclaim from some of the industry's top bassists and bass educators. These books were a culmination of her many years experience as a private music teacher on both upright and electric bass. Her books are for sale worldwide through Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles, and are the exclusive curriculum for US Music Lessons in San Diego, CA. She spearheaded the design of the bass curriculum for the online music education platform, Fender Play, owned by the renowned guitar company, Fender; and is currently an instructor for the reputable singing education company, Singdaptive.
Eventually moving to Los Angeles to be formally trained in music, Sly attended the famed Musicians Institute in California to study under the likes of some of LA's top session musicians. There, Kaitie received an Associates Degree in Bass Performance, as well as the Outstanding Student Award upon graduating from her program. Her success from the program is now featured on the school's website. During her time in LA, she worked as a session musician for a variety artists including but not limited to: top female EDM artist, Mimi Page; the Controversy band; The Khourys; and many more.
As a composer, her music has been featured in media for Canadian corporations, post secondary institutions, and the Province of British Columbia. Eventually acquiring her masters in music from the University of Victoria, specializing in music technology, Kaitie has also developed herself as a sound artist, and was recently awarded an artist residency in Budapest, Hungary, at the Spatial Sound Institute to work with spatial sound and their 4D SOUND system; As well as with Lobe Studio in Vancouver, BC. Kaitie received a Pivot for Individuals grant from the BC Arts Council to attend her residency at Lobe Studio in 2021.
As a songwriter, in addition to co-writing and playing bass for the Vancouver afro-soul group, Serengeti, Kaitie also has two original projects: Syreim and as herself, Kaitie Sly. Kaitie's music has been featured on Rolling Stone with Syreim, and she has presented on the creative process behind her songs at local and international music and art conferences, such as IdeaFest in Victoria, BC, and the Crosstown Traffic Conference in the UK.
Having received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with Distinction in Digital Media from Vancouver Island University, Kaitie has also explored the areas of digital and new media, and when not doing music, is the host and producer of the music podcast, Between the Vocal Folds, which focuses on topics surrounding singing and the voice. Her short film, The Quantum Mask, was officially selected at the Doc Sunback Film festival in 2016, and at the 8th Annual International Inter University Short Film Festival in 2016.
Currently working in music full-time, Kaitie is involved in several projects in the Vancouver area. Kaitie is the creative mastermind behind the experimental rock project, Syreim, and co-directs the Vancouver-based afro soul band, Serengeti. Kaitie writes her own solo material and is an eager collaborator with a diverse array of local and international musicians and artists. A true artist throughout her life, while she has dabbled in many creative areas, music has been the one common thread, and her true passion.
REVIEWS:
“Kaitie is a very fine bass player, and is someone who would make a fine addition to any band or studio situation. She is a person who is constantly growing as a musician and a person.”
Michael Mennell, Bass Instructor, Musicians Institute
"Great voice and very cool track. Love the reverse sounds and contrast of dynamic and ambient elements in the track."
Angelo Dodaro, VP, Zedd Records
“I had the pleasure of performing with Ms. Katie Sly in various musical situations. I feel that I know Ms. Sly very well. We shared many musical stages for at least a year and I always enjoyed performing together. Ms. Sly definitely appreciated the curriculum in our classes and was always prepared to perform, and perform at a high level of musicianship..”
Chuck Silverman, Drum Instructor, Musicians Institute
AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
May 2023 - Artist-in-residence, MONOM, Berlin, Germany
2022 - Unison Benevolent Funding Recipient
2022 - Professional Development Grant, BC Arts Council
2022 - Individual Arts Award, Professional Performing Arts
2021 - Pivot for Individuals Grant Recipient
2020 - Showcase BC Grant Recipient
2020 - FCAT Graduate Scholarship
2019 - Dean's Graduate Fellowship, Simon Fraser University
2019 - BC Graduate Scholarship (BCGS), Simon Fraser University
2019 - Gaston-Bird Travel Fund, SoundGirls
2018 - L.E. Frances Druce Student Travel Award, University of Victoria
2018 - Dr. Peter Montgomery Graduate Scholarship, University of Victoria
2018 - UVIC Graduate Award
2017 - M.A. & D.E. Breckenridge Graduate Awards
2017 - Kutzschan Graduate Scholarship in Music
2017 - Donald Wagg Graduate Scholarship
2017 - UVIC Graduate Award
2014 - Vancouver Island University Student’s Union Bursary Recipient
2014 - Winner of BC Family Day video songwriting competition
2012-2015 - Dean’s Honour List, Vancouver Island University
2011 - Outstanding Student Award, Musicians Institute
2004 – Outstanding Achievement in Music Award, Victoria High School
2001 – Freddy Award