November Concert Guest Artist: Thomas Yu, Pianist
Canadian-born pianist, Thomas Yu, is one of the most versatile artists. His concert career has become sought-after, since winning the 17th International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs, taking first prize, as well as the Press Award and Audience Award. Following his recent performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in Paris, the audience erupted with a ten-minute standing ovation. Yu continues to delight audiences across Europe, Asia and North America. In addition to his musical endeavors, Dr. Yu obtained his DMD with Great Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan. He then went on to complete a residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and recently completed his Masters Degree in Periodontics at the University of Toronto.
Yu has been featured on CBC, Bravo!, TV5 and France 2 television. He has also recorded with CBC, Classical 96.3FM and Radio Classique. Yu has performed for the Governor General of Canada, as well as the Mayor of Toronto. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the University of Saskatchewan has named Yu as one of the school’s top 100 most influential alumni. Photographer Tony Hauser has also included Yu in his book, The Power of Passion, which features prominent Canadians such as Adrienne Clarkson, Richard Bradshaw, Stephen Lewis, Pinkas Zuckerman and David Suzuki.
A pupil of Bonnie Nicholson for several years, Yu now studies at the Glenn Gould Professional School of Music in Toronto with esteemed pedagogue Marc Durand. He has also worked with Leon Fleisher, Julian Martin, Robin Harrison and the late Marek Jablonski. Yu has received numerous national prizes, including first place in the Canadian Music Competition, as well as the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association Competition. As a laureate of the 2nd Canadian Chopin Competition, Yu also competed in the 15th International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland.
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