Jan Lisiecki

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Jan Lisiecki

Background information
Birth name	Jan Milosz Lisiecki
Born	March 23, 1995 (1995-03-23) (age 13) Calgary, Canada
Occupation(s)	Pianist
Instrument(s)	Piano

Jan Lisiecki (born March 23, 1995) is a classical pianist. Born in Calgary, Canada to Polish parents, Lisiecki is most well known as a child prodigy in piano as well as in academics.

[edit] 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 in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and was awarded the CBC Galaxy Rising Star Scholarship for the highest mark of the competition. More recently, he won the Junior Division of the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition in USA (March 2007) and placed 2nd in the 22 and under category of the Manchester International Piano Concerto Competition, UK (August 2007).

Jan has performed 18 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 August 2008, Jan will be performing 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 is invited by Pinchas Zukerman to New York where he will have a debut 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. UNICEF recently asked Jan to become a Youth Ambassador for 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.

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.