The Vancouver International Piano Competition and Music Festival, as an international event, holds a crucial mission – to assist participants in continuously enhancing their piano performance skills, elevating artistic sensibility, planning their musical development paths, and dedicating efforts to discovering and nurturing piano talents. In the two competitions of 2019 and 2022, the organizing committee has consistently upheld this mission. By bringing together a team of top-notch instructors and creating optimal conditions for both the competition and activities, the committee has arranged professional, logical, and effective learning and exchange activities to empower every participant to pursue their musical dreams and grow continually.
The first Vancouver International Piano Competition and International Piano Music Festival in 2019 were immensely successful. During this music festival, renowned teachers from all over the world gathered here, and each student engaged in four one-on-one master lessons, attended three master concerts, enjoyed performances in the "Young Performers Concert" featuring outstanding participants, participated in piano competitions, award ceremonies, and prize-winning concerts, among many other vibrant activities. Throughout the festival, interviews were conducted with many participants and their parents, who expressed overwhelming satisfaction. They praised the event for its top-tier faculty, picturesque coastal setting, excellent facilities, comfortable accommodations, and well-organized schedules – a truly fantastic experience.
These classes offer one-on-one professional guidance, providing students with a profound understanding of musical aesthetics through diverse perspectives and vivid metaphors. Face-to-face communication helps students develop independent thinking, enhance practice efficiency, control style, and cultivate their appreciation and aesthetic understanding of music.
Professor Zolinsky from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK giving a master class to student.
Professor McRobbie from the Vancouver Academy of Music giving a master class to student.
Professor Driver from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK giving a master class to student.
After classes, students and parents provided feedback, emphasizing the high-quality faculty of the Vancouver International Piano Music Festival. The "zero-distance" interaction with the professors was a fantastic learning experience, laying a solid foundation for the young musicians in their future musical development.
To ensure that each student could perfect their performance during concerts and competitions, the organizing committee provided independent practice rooms for every student with renowned pianos. The schedule was arranged to allow ample practice time before the competition.
Class Venue - Vancouver Academy of Music
Practice Room - Vancouver Academy of Music
Concert Venue - Vancouver Academy of Music
The festival created a platform for young musicians to exchange ideas, realize their dreams, and, through listening to others' performances and lessons, identify areas for improvement in their playing and technique. Parents' positive feedback further affirmed the success of the master classes.
During the festival from July 28 to August 7, three professors presented solo concerts, covering a repertoire ranging from Romantic composers like Chopin and Brahms to Impressionist Ravel, post-Romantic Scriabin, and contemporary avant-garde composer Ligeti.
Pianist Liu Yifan performing in concert.
Professor Zolinsky from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK performing in concert.
Professor Driver from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK performing in concert.
Classical compositions from different periods were masterfully interpreted by Liu Yifan, Andrew Zolinsky, and Danny Driver, creating an exceptional auditory and visual experience. Preceding the concerts, the masters provided insightful explanations, making the concerts a sumptuous feast of piano music learning.
Professor Zolinsky from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK providing explanations before the concert, with Professor Zhu Di serving as a translator.
Professor McRobbie from the Vancouver Academy of Music providing explanations before the concert, with Professor Zhu Di serving as a translator.
After the concerts, students, still immersed in the feast of sight and sound, expressed admiration for the masters and love for the concerts. Students exchanged ideas, finding areas for improvement in their own performances inspired by the masters. The three master concerts concluded with applause and cheers, and all students and teachers gathered for a group photo.
From July 28 to August 7, participating students presented a splendid student concert. In each performance, the students turned musical notes into dancing sprites on the keyboard. The melodious melodies were enchanting, creating memorable moments in both concerts and competitions.
The organization of the "Young Performers Concert" allowed the young musicians to feel that music not only enhanced their artistic aesthetics but also, as the most universal "language" in the world, enabled people from different countries and regions to convey their thoughts through music.
The "Young Performers Concert" not only provided a stage for these future "young musicians" to showcase themselves but also encouraged them to persist and strive for their dreams in their future musical paths. The event aimed to exhibit the charm of art to an increasing number of people, integrating art into people's lives and allowing them to appreciate the beauty of life through art.
On August 4, the Vancouver International Piano Competition officially commenced. The competition was divided into professional and amateur categories, with participants required to perform a selected piece within a specified time frame.
After undergoing multiple rounds of meticulous training, including one-on-one master classes, master concerts, and student concerts, the participating students showcased their talents on the competition stage. The competition not only brought intense competition but also presented a spectacular performance for judges and the audience. In the end, Giuliana Chen, a 10-year-old participant from Vancouver, Canada, secured the first place in the amateur category, while the professional category was won by Li Tianyou, a 15-year-old student from the Central Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School.
The Vancouver International Piano Competition is dedicated to introducing piano culture to Chinese youth, serving as a friendly ambassador for cross-border exchanges in piano music and encouraging more young people to step onto the international stage.
On the evening of August 4, the Vancouver International Piano Competition award ceremony and the winner's concert were held at the renowned UBC Music Hall. Attendees, dressed in their finest attire, exuded enthusiasm in the splendid music hall.
During the award ceremony, Professor Tang Lijuan, Artistic Director of the Vancouver International Piano Music Festival, gave a speech and awarded the winning students from both the professional and amateur categories. The winners treated the audience to splendid piano performances, showcasing their musical talents.
After the concert, the organizers hosted a meticulously prepared buffet dinner for guests and students. While enjoying the delicious food, attendees had another opportunity for close communication with the masters, listening to their thoughts on music.
On August 5, after the intense schedule of the Vancouver International Piano Music Festival, students embarked on an exploration of Vancouver. The cool and pleasant summer weather made it an ideal time for tourism. During the brief two-day trip, students experienced the charm of the city, explored the forest with a cable car adventure, and enjoyed the relaxation and joy after the competition.
This trip marked the conclusion of the students' journey to Vancouver. Laden with achievements and glory, everyone immersed themselves in the magical city of Vancouver, filled with anticipation for a brighter future.
Throughout the Vancouver International Piano Music Festival, students had close encounters with several world-class piano masters, deeply experiencing the charm of piano music and making significant progress in their piano performance skills.
The Vancouver piano journey left a lasting impact on all students. The masterful and delicate playing styles of the music masters, meticulous guidance in one-on-one master classes, and the exchange and learning among participants from different countries all contributed to the festival's positive atmosphere. In this environment, students continuously practiced, learned, and improved themselves in various aspects, from handling melody rhythms to expressing emotional artistry on stage.
This trip will undoubtedly become the most precious memory on the piano music learning journey for each participating student.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, the second Vancouver Piano Competition was only able to resume in 2022. Unable to conduct the event entirely on-site, the competition adopted a combined online and offline mode, benefiting from a robust technological system. Online competitions proved highly successful, featuring renowned piano professors from international and domestic prestigious music institutions as judges, including the Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Royal Academy of Music, and Vancouver Academy of Music, among others. Despite being an online competition, participants received valuable feedback and guidance from professors, enhancing their learning experiences.
Now, the music festival is finally restarting, merging the competition back into the music festival and accompanying various festival activities, providing students with more opportunities for enrichment. The organizers have prepared a first-class stage for all participants, allowing everyone to experience the charm of stepping onto the stage and refining their stage presence and psychological qualities. In each edition, esteemed pianists are invited as competition judges and mentors during the festival to offer thoughtful guidance, helping students analyze problems clearly and position themselves for a clear future path in the arts. The festival not only propels students forward in their musical journey but also offers a cultural and natural exploration of Vancouver, Canada. The 3rd Vancouver International Piano Competition and Music Festival in 2024 has set sail, inviting everyone to witness the splendid performances of participants in the competition and the abundant experiences they gain from the festival. Let's meet in Beijing and Vancouver, witnessing each participant's fantastic musical journey and continuous pursuit of musical dreams, growing joyfully in the process of playing the piano!