A Personalized Piano Experience-
Led by our very own Derek Stanyer, this Piano Intensive course combines personalized private teaching as well as group and orchestra accompaniment experience. Beginners through to experts will enjoy and be enriched by this 10-day deep dive into a diverse repertoire of challenging material that will surely bring your skills up to a new level. No matter your playing level prepare yourself for a fun and immersive experience that will stretch your abilities and nurture your love of learning.
This 10-day program offers a unique opportunity to expand your repertoire and engage in collaborative musical experiences with string musicians. Our curriculum focuses on a multifaceted approach to piano playing, including in-depth discussions on technique, interpretation, music history, piano repertoire, and the legacy of renowned pianists of the past.
The masterclasses provide an invaluable platform for growth and development as a pianist, while also fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the art form. In addition to the masterclasses, participants will have the chance to collaborate with other musicians in ensembles such as Piano duets, trios, or quartets accompanied by strings.
This collaborative experience will provide an avenue to enhance musical communication, creativity and artistic expression. The program promises to be a challenging and stimulating journey towards mastering the art of piano playing, leaving students with newfound skills and a richer appreciation for the power of collaborative performance.
Derek Stanyer grew up in Langley, BC. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria in 2010 and his Master of Music from the University of Ottawa in 2012, supported by a full scholarship. He has won numerous awards and prizes, including being a finalist in the national Knigge Piano Competition, the University of Victoria Concerto Competition, the University of Ottawa Concerto Competition, and the Sooke Philharmonic Concerto Competition. He won the top prize in the Johann Strauss Competition, allowing him to study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, in 2012. He has also attended the Vancouver International Song Institute and the Strings and Keys chamber music program in Alberta.
Derek completed a diploma at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris from 2012 to 2014, and is currently in the Doctorate of Musical Arts program at the University of British Columbia on a full Doctoral Fellowship. He has performed extensively both as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist throughout Canada, France, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, USA, and Mexico.
He has worked as a vocal coach for the UBC Summer Opera program since 2014, and is currently working as an opera coach for UBC Opera. Recent notable performances include the NATSAA vocal competition, the Vancouver Fringe Festival, the Silk Purse Gallery concert series, and the Music Friends concert series in Vancouver. Derek focuses on the art songs of Nikolai Medtner; his doctoral research concerns these works, which are a substantial yet largely ignored part of the art song repertoire.