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 and a half 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 been teaching music for nearly 20 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; along with helping to develop curriculum for the reputable singing education company, Singdaptive. Currently, she continues to teach, lead clinics and workshops, and is Curriculum Manager for the Bass brand at Musora Media Inc.
Learn more about me at the video interview below with Musica & Mezcal!
Eventually moving to Los Angeles to be formally trained in music, Sly attended the famed Musicians Institute in 2009-2011 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, Laura Vall (Thievery Corporation), and The Khourys; at world-famous venues such as The Whiskey A Go Go, Catalina Jazz Club, The Wiltern Theatre, and The Hard Rock Cafe.
As a composer, Kaitie has completed two artist residencies at both Lobe Spatial Sound Studio in Vancouver in 2020; and at MONOM Spatial Sound Studio in Berlin in 2023. Her piece, Traversing the Mind, created at Lobe was presented during a 2-hour showcase event sponsored by the BC Arts Council. Her music has also been featured in media for various Canadian corporations, post secondary institutions, and the Province of British Columbia.
Kaitie has her Masters in Music from the University of Victoria, specializing in music technology. During her studies, she conducted research in the field of acoustic ecology, presenting her research in music at local and international music and art conferences, such as IdeaFest in Victoria, BC, and the The Crosstown Traffic: Popular Music Theory and Practice Conference in the UK, and a variety of others. Her research led her to develop an interactive soundmap that featured short compositions utilizing infra and ultrasound from field recordings she conducted. Kaitie has received extensive funding for her work and is extremely grateful for the funding she has received from:
The BC Arts Council, the Unison Benevolent Fund, Showcase BC, Simon Fraser University, SoundGirls, L.E. Frances Druce, Dr. Peter Montgomery Graduate, M.A. & D.E. Breckenridge Graduate Awards, Kutzschan, and Donald Wagg.
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Kaitie is a founding member of the sought-after afro-soul group, Serengeti, in which she writes, produces and performs on bass and vocals. Kaitie also has her own original music project which has been active since 2014. Kaitie's music has been featured on Rolling Stone and in Stir Vancouver, among other press, and is currently working on her second solo EP with producer, Andy Schichter of Park Sound Studios. Sly continues to work regularly as a session musician, backing artists such as Rumour Mill, Anna Katarina, Blackbird Radio, Sade Awele, Peter Tam, The Jones Boys, Pauline Edwards, and many more.
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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 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 both the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. 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.
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REVIEWS:
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“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
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"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
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“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
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AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
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May 2023 - Artist-in-residence, MONOM, Berlin, Germany
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2022 - Unison Benevolent Funding Recipient
2022 - Professional Development Grant, BC Arts Council
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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
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2018 - Dr. Peter Montgomery Graduate Scholarship, University of Victoria
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2018 - UVIC Graduate Award
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2017 - M.A. & D.E. Breckenridge Graduate Awards
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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
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2012-2015 - Dean’s Honour List, Vancouver Island University
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2011 - Outstanding Student Award, Musicians Institute
2004 – Outstanding Achievement in Music Award, Victoria High School
2001 – Freddy Award
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