Biography
Named by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation in 2020 as one of Canada’s 30 top classical musicians under 30, pianist Spencer Klymyshyn is known for his beautiful and nuanced sound. Spencer has won numerous awards and recognitions in national competitions. In 2019, Spencer was the national winner at the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals (FCMF) National Music Competition. He was also, in both 2017 and 2018, a national first place award winner at the Canadian Music Competition.
In September 2021, Spencer commenced studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK, working with Ronan O’Hora and Martin Roscoe in pursuit of his Artist Masters in Performance. He will return in 2022 to complete the second year of his studies. He is a graduate of the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, where he completed his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with Distinction, studying with Dr. Ilya Poletaev. Spencer holds an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Spencer has participated in masterclasses with André Laplante, John Perry, Paul Roberts, Charles Owen, Ronan O’Hora, and many others. He has also had the pleasure of working with Boris Berman, Robert McDonald, Jacques Rouvier, Boris Slutsky, Anton Nel and others. As a chamber musician and collaborative pianist Spencer has enjoyed working with coaches Julius Drake, Michael McMahon, Carole Presland, Matthew Jones, Marie-Ève Scarfone, and Maestro Alexis Hauser.
In April 2022, Spencer completed a tour with the Symphony New Brunswick performing the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton, New Brunswick under the baton of Holly Mathieson.
This summer, Spencer performed three recitals at The International Holland Music Sessions (TIHMS) in Bergen, Alkmaar, and Enkhuizen where he also studied with Boris Berman, Jacques Rouvier and Boris Slutsky. As well, in July he enjoyed studying with Paul Roberts, Charles Owen and James Kreiling at the Music at Chateau d’Aix summer school in Saux, France. He looks forward to a recital in the Aylesbury lunchtime concert series in October.
Spencer is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and various arts organizations. Spencer is grateful to be supported by Talent Unlimited, the Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation AIDA Fund, and The Worshipful Company of Carmen Benevolent Trust.
