Jan Lisiecki

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jan Lisiecki

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Img_capt =
Background = classical_ensemble
Birth_name = Jan Milosz Lisiecki
Born = birth date and age|1995|3|23
Calgary, Canada
Died =
Instrument = Piano
Genre =
Occupation = Pianist
Years_active =

Jan Lisiecki (born March 23, 1995) is a classical pianist. Born in Calgary, Canada to Polish parents, Lisiecki is most well known as being extremely accomplished in piano as well as in academics at a young age.

“I concisely remember the moment when my hands and feet gradually gained control and I was able to make the piano sing. My powerful relationship with the piano began and I started to discover my voice. As I play, I feel that the magic of the music is emerging from the piano, and also is developing in me - I feel the light shining into my heart. I experience joy, happiness, love; but also sadness and pain. And I have the strong desire to share it with others.” - Jan Lisiecki

Career

Jan Lisiecki has been studying piano since the age of five with Colleen Athparia and Glen Montgomery at the Mount Royal College Conservatory. He has won a litany of major Canadian music titles, including first place at the National Finals of the Canadian Music Competitions for five years, and was awarded the CBC Galaxy Rising Star Scholarship in 2005 and the Grand Prize in 2008. More recently, Jan has won several prestigious international competitions, such as the Junior Division of the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition and the Middle School Division of the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. As a winner of the latter competition, Jan had his Carnegie Hall debut on May 18, 2008.

Jan has performed 25 times with orchestras since his orchestral debut with the Calgary Civic Symphony at the age of 9, as the youngest winner in the history of the Calgary Concerto Competition. He placed first in the competition again in 2006.

In 2005, he won the prestigious Mozart Competition - again as the youngest in history, which resulted in his debut with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He also won the competition in 2007 and 2008.

In November 2005, Jan auditioned for Maestro Pinchas Zukerman, and consequently appeared in nine concerts at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, including the Gala Concert in September 2006, where he performed alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Emanuel Ax, and Pinchas Zukerman.

In August 2007 Jan performed with orchestra at the Festival of the Sound, Ontario and was privileged to be the 2008 RBC Stockey Young Artist, where he will take part in the Opening Gala, Piano Gala, and will perform with the Festival Orchestra. Jan is also invited to the Brott Music Festival.

In April 2008, he was the featured artist of the McGill Chamber Orchestra's Gala.

As a winner of the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, Jan performed at the showcase held at Carnegie Hall on May 18, 2008.

In addition to the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, Jan has also won several other prestigious international competitions. He placed 1st in the Junior Division of the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition in USA (March 2007) and 2nd in the 22 and under category of the Manchester International Piano Concerto Competition, UK (August 2007). In 2008, Jan placed 5th in the Junior Division of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and 3rd in the Junior Division of the 1st Minnesota International Piano-E-Competition.

In August 2008, Jan performed with Symfonia Varsovia with Howard Shelley conducting, at the prestigious International Festival "Chopin and his Europe", in Warsaw Poland. Jan will also perform solo recitals in the USA, Scotland, England, as well as Canada in 2008. He was invited by Pinchas Zukerman to New York where he will have a recital in December 2008.

Jan performs frequently for various charity organizations, including the David Foster Foundation, UNICEF, the Polish Humanitarian Organization and the Wish Upon a Star Foundation. In June 2008, he was appointed a National Youth Representative by UNICEF Canada.

He also played for many politicians and government representatives, including a recital at Rideau Hall for Her Excellency, The Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean.

In a letter to Jan, Her Excellency wrote:

"You are an inspiration to children and adults across Canada."

Upon the school board recommendation Jan was accelerated four grades and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme student of Western Canada High School. In March 2006 Jan received a Commemorative Centennial Award from the Legislative Assembly of Alberta after winning the Provincial Essay Contest - “What democracy means to me.”

Jan's composition won at the 2006 National Finals of the Canada Music Week Writing Competition and in the CBC Mozart Variations Competition. He also studies composition and voice. In his free time, he enjoys reading, skiing, hiking, and he is a member of the Calgary YMCA Swim Club.

Upcoming Concerts

October 25, 2008
* [http://www.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=1404#chefs Chef's for UNICEF Gala] - Calgary, Canada

November 6, 13, 2008
* [http://www.cpo-live.com/main/content.php?content_id=120 CPO’s 2008/2009 Education Series “The Orchestra Games”] - Calgary, Canada

November 21, 2008

Solo Recital - Calgary, Canada

December 2, 2008
* [http://www.brottmusic.com/education/#1202 Beethoven & the Bully] - Hamilton, Canada

December 14, 2008
* [http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?category=programs888Events888Events+%2D+Other+Programs888Age+35+and+Under+Events888&productid=T%2DTC5ZK11 Zukerman Chamber Players] - New York City, USA

February 13, 2009

Solo Recital - Aspen, USA

March 22, 2009

Solo Recital for the Chopin Society - Atlanta, USA

April 22 & 24, 2009

Solo Recitals - Glasgow, Scotland

April 28 & 30, 2009

Solo Recitals - Machester, UK

May 4, 2009
* [http://www.lethbridgesymphony.org/Master%20Series.htm Bridge to Fini] - Lethbridge, Canada

May 9, 2009
* [http://www.hpo.org/elegance-2008.cfm Prodigy] - Hamilton, Canada

References

* [http://www.janlisiecki.com Jan Lisiecki's Official Website]
* [http://www.festivalofthesound.on.ca/pages/Artists/Stockey_young_artist.html Festival of the Sound]
* [http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/nacnews/viewnews.cfm?ID=1231&cat=catComm Gala Concert with Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, and Pinchas Zukerman]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/blog/2008/02/12/talents_at_twelve_ja.html Talents at Twelve]
* [http://www.proartssociety.ca/Jan-Lisiecki.html Music at Noon]