Ricker Choi - Music Heals! Classical pianist, based in Toronto, Canada. Born in Hong Kong.

RICKER CHOIMUSIC HEALS! 96.3 FM Nov 18, 2011

CONCERT SCHEDULE

UPCOMING
PAST SHOWS

UPCOMING

2012

June 23, 2012 (Sat) - 7:30 pm - Glenn Gould Studio

250 Front St. West, Toronto

Tickets: $20 adult / $10 student

net proceeds donated to United Way

also features 2012 North York Music Festival Trophy Winners

features

July 7, 2012 - CANCELLED

2013

April 13, 2013 (Sat) - 7:30 pm - Glenn Gould Studio

250 Front St. West, Toronto

Piano solo (Ricker) and vocal works (soprano Ilana Zarankin)

PAST SHOWS

Nov 22, 2011 (Tues), 12:00 pm - COC Free Concert Series

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

145 Queen St W (Osgoode Subway Station)

Ricker's solo piano recital

Nov 18, 2011 (Fri), 1:20 pm - 20 min interview with 96.3 FM (classical radio station) hear/watch me live _ http://livestre.am/18vRO

Oct 30, 2011 (Sun), 2:00 pm - Glenn Gould Studio - Off Centre Music Salon - performing Scriabin's Sonata No. 5

Aug 21, 2011 (Sun), 2:00 pm - Music Beyond

Ricker Choi with Leonard Gilbert

Adult $15, Student $10 in support of Oxfam Canada

Feb 6, 2011 (Sun), 2:00 pm - Glenn Gould Studio - Off Centre Music Salon . performing Ravels La Valse (solo piano arrangement)

Feb 4, 2011 (Friday), 8:00 pm - Isabel Bader Theatre - performing Liszt Mephisto Waltz and Schumann Symphonic Etudes Op. 13 in UTChinese 2011 New Year Concert

Sept 11, 2010 (Sat), 7:30 pm - Oxfam Canada Fund Raising Concert. Euromusic Recital Hall. Program: Liszt Sonata in B Minor; and other senior level students at Euromusic.

Aug 13, 2010 - 7:30 pm - TSMAF`s Emerging Artists in Concert at Walter Hall: Scriabins Sonata No. 5

June 19, 2010 - 2:00 pm - Shops at Don Mills (NYCO Festival Gala Concert): Liszt Mephisto Waltz as part of a larger concert.

Apr 11, 2010 - 2:00 pm - Glenn Gould Studio - Off Centre Music Salon

performing Mendelssohns Variations Serieuses Op. 54 as part of a larger concert celebrating Jewish Composer and Jewish Music

Feb 7, 2010 - 4:00 pm - From 1 - 4 Hands - organized by Music Heals! - to aid Haiti victims

Location: Recital Hall at Euromusic (2651 John Street Unit#8), Markham;

I perform 55 min of music: Liszts Totentanz (with 2nd piano), Chopins Ballade #4, Cello Etude, Nocturne Op 55 No 2, and Ravels La Valse; also features young students from Alice Wongs studio

net proceeds in support of Oxfam Canada

Nov 20, 2009- 8:00 pm - Recital Benefiting Oxfam Canada

Walter Hall at U of Ts Faculty of Music

piano works - Chopin: 4th Ballade, Ravel: La Valse, Mendelssohn: Variations Serieuses Op 54, Ginastera: Danza Argentinas;

vocal works (sung by Barbara Fris) - Strauss: 4 Last Songs, Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder

click here for my performance journal

July 2009 - 7:30 pm - TSMAF`s Emerging Artists in Concert at Walter Hall: Ravels La Valse

July 10, 2009 - 7:00 pm - Fundraising for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

U of T, Hart Houses Music Room (2nd floor); Chopin- Ballade #4, Mendelssohn- Variation Serieuses, Ravels- La Valse

May 13, 2009 - 1:00 pm - Halton Hills-The Gallery

9 Church St., Georgetown, Ontario; Chopin: Ballade #4, Ravel: La Valse, Liszt: Mephisto Waltz #1;

Strauss: Four Last Songs (Soprano Barbara Fris)

Feb 7, 2009 - 7:00 pm - UTChinese 2009 New Year Concert

J. J. R. MacLeod Auditorium (MS 2158), Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto

Charity fund raising for Love Through Education Foundation

(organized by UofT Chinese Magazine)

Nov 9, 2008 - 2:00 pm - Hermitage Day Celebration

Womens Art Association - 23 Prince Arthur Ave

(organized by Canadian Friends of the Hermitage)

The Hermitage Foundation raises money for the restoration of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

This concert features all Russian vocal and piano classical music.

Oct 18, 2008 - 7:00 pm - Charity Concert: Jazz and Classical!

Fund raising in support of Oxfam Canada - China Earthquake Relief Funds

(organized by Music Heals!)

July, 2008 - 7:30 pm - TSMAF`s Emerging Artists in Concert at Walter Hall: Liszts Mephisto Waltz

June 20, 2008 - 6:30 pm - Sunnybrook Hospital

Feb 3, 2008 - 6:00 pm - fund raising for

Love Through Education Foundation

(organized by UTChinese Magazine)

Nov 13, 2007 - 7:30 pm - fund raising for Oxfam Canada

Jan 27, 2007 - 7:30 pm - fund raising for Willowdale United Church

Dec 9, 2006 - 7:30 pm - fund raising for World Vision Canada

May 27, 2006 - 7:30 pm - fund raising for SickKids Foundation

ABOUT

BIOGRAPHY

MUSIC HEALS!

REPERTOIRE

FAVORITES

BIOGRAPHY

WHO'S RICKER?

I am a business consultant specializing in financial risk management. I have an MBA from York University, hold FRM, CFA, and PMP. But my ultimate passion is music! In 2010 I was awarded 2nd Prize at the Berlin International Amateur Piano Competition , where I performed at the 2,500 seat Berlin Philharmonie. I had also performed live on 96.3 FM classical radio

I started playing the piano when I was 13. Upon entering university in 1993 my piano career took a twelve year hiatus until 2005, when I returned to piano studies with my long time teacher Boris Zarankin . In 2006, I started participating in masterclasses of other pianists including Anton Kuerti , Andre Laplante , Marietta Orlov , Michael Esch , Lawrence Pitchko and Joseph Banowetz . I have been featured at TSMAF `s Emerging Artists in Concert at Walter Hall, and with Off Centre Music Salon at Glenn Gould Studio. I have also performed a solo recital at Four Seasons Centre as part of COC's noon-hour series.

Since 2006 I started organizing and performing in charity fund raising concerts. That was the start of Music Heals!

AWARDS SINCE 2005

2nd Prize: Berlin Int'l Amateur Piano Competition

2nd Prize: Boston Int'l Amateur Piano Competition

3rd Prize: Washington Int'l Piano Artists Competition

Grand Prize winner: Markham Music Festival, North York Music Festival, Scarborough Music Festival

My first piano lesson was a failure...

I was born in Hong Kong and studied at Rosaryhill School , where I spent my kindergarten and then primary school years at. I still remember for my Grade 6 music class examination, me and five other classmates chose to sing the theme song from the famous Japanese TV series Story of Oshin . I didn't know any classical music, and pop music was my only exposure to music at that time. When I was 7 years old, I decided to have piano lesson, hoping to be able to play Hong Kong pop tunes that my mother often played. After less than 1 month of piano lessons, I gave up! I didn't have the discipline, nor the passion for music. I just hated practising!

When I was 12 years old, I entered into St. Pauls Co-ed College , in which each student was required to learn at least one instrument. Guess what? For novelty, I picked Er-Hu , while most of my classmates opted for more conventional options, such as piano, violin, and cello.

Falling in love with Amadeus and Ludwig

It was in this environment that my passion for classical music was ignited. I was fascinated by the beautiful sound my classmates made from their instruments. Listening to Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik during music class and Chopin's Polonaise Op.53 (Hero) performed by a senior student during the class assembly opened my ears to the wonderful world of classical music.

I started purchasing classical music cassette tapes. (CD was not available yet.) One day I came across a tape with the title The People United Will Never be Defeated ! I thought it was such an inspiring name and bought it. Then I came across another one called The Ring of the Nibelung, with a piece called: Immolation Scene . Immolation: a big serious word which I didn't even know.

The cries of the Valkeries, the powerful emotions of The Ring, and the stirring theme of The People United Will Never be Defeated! opened me up to a new world. Even though I didn't understand a word sung in the opera, I was fascinated by the picture of the dragon slain by a boy with a sword on the cassette tape cover. My love of Wagner and mythologies started from this time.

My first piece? Für Elise!

I decided that I must learn to play the piano, and my first piece? Für Elise!

I was only able to recognize what middle C looked like on a score, therefore I had to write down the letter names of almost every single note on the score in order to learn the music. I practised extremely hard, and after 3 months, finally, I was able to play through the first page, hitting only 50% wrong notes, and stopping only 10 times through my way. What an accomplishment!

Then I discovered Richard Clayderman ! Yea, I know serious music students are not amused when knowing someone that likes Richard Clayderman. Well ... he was so popular in Hong Kong, and I really loved his Ballade pour Adeline! I bought all his music scores and cassette tapes. It was from his own arrangement of popular classical music such as Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 or Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata that I get further introduced to the classical masters.

Piano lessons again!

I started really learning the piano when I was 13 years old, when I immigrated to Toronto with my family. I started with a piano teacher from RCM, Catherine Russell. After she passed away, I studied with Boris Zarankin , co-founder of Off Centre Music Salon . I was totally passionate about classical music, and I practised extremely hard. I completed the ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance at the age 18.

It was a tough decision! Should I study music, or get into a more conventional academic program? I sent in the application form and had arranged for an audition with RCM, but at the last minute, I opted for the easy route: study business! I knew at that time I was not musically gifted. I just worked extremely hard, but I didn't speak through the music. I was playing the piano, not making art. The most important factor was that I didn't even know what I want for a musical career. I didn't have a vision of a musical future. It was a hard decision, but I still believe today that it was a right one for me.

Bye bye love ....

Upon entering York University's Schulich School of Business , my piano study was halted for 12 years. The work load of the business program was too daunting to allow any time for practising. It was initially quite depressing to have to say good-bye to my beloved mistress, Lady Piano.

After I graduated, I was busy with my career, and at the same time studying on the side for further academic credentials. Piano was not even thought of.

I'm back!

In 2005, I felt that my career was on track, and I started studying piano again with Boris Zarankin , co-founder of Off Centre Music Salon . After more than 10 years of hiatus, I was finally back with my mistress!

I started participating again in local music festivals, and was awarded the Best of Festival Award from Yip's Music Festival and the Markham Music Festival Trophy. Through a friend I met at Kiwanis Music Festival, and with the encouragement of Boris Zarankin , I started also having coaching sessions with other teachers such as Lawrence Pitchko and Michael Esch . I participated in the Toronto Summer Music Academy and Festival , attended master classes of Anton Kuerti , Andre Laplante , Marietta Orlov , and James Anagnoson .

My life today ...

I am currently a business consultant specializing in financial risk management. I have an MBA from York University, and am a holder of FRM , CFA , and PMP. I enjoy reading, traveling, and listening to music for leisure.

I like to share my passion for classical music with my friends, while at the same time contribute to the needy in society. Hence in 2006 I started organizing and performing in charity fund raising concerts. Since 2006, I have been helping to raise funds for charity organizations such as Oxfam Canada , SickKids Foundation , and World Vision Canada .

Through other amateur pianists in Toronto, I first knew about international amateur competitions in 2008. I have participated in following international amateur piano competitions:

2010 won 2nd Prize and the special Candidate Prize at the Berlin International Amateur Piano Competition, where I performed at the 2,500 seat Berlin Philharmonie

2009 won 2nd prize for the 2009 Boston International Piano Competition

2008 won 3rd prize for 2008 Washington International Piano Artists Competition (also awarded both the Press Jury Award and Best Performance of a Romantic Period).

MUSIC HEALS!

MUSIC HEALS!

When I graduated from highschool, I thought of studying music. I sent in the application form and had arranged for an audition with RCM, but at the last minute, I opted for the easy route: study business! The most important factor was that I didn't even know what I wanted for a musical career.

Upon entering York University's Schulich School of Business in 1993 , my piano study was halted for 12 years. The work load of the business program was too daunting to allow any time for practising. Then in 2005, I felt that my career was on track. I started studying piano again with Boris Zarankin , co-founder of Off Centre Music Salon . After 12 years of hiatus, I was finally back to piano!

I have the vision of contributing to the society through music. In 2006 I started organizing charity fund raising concerts. My intention is to share with friends my great passions in arts, while at the same time inspire people to contribute to the society.

My piano teacher, Boris Zarankin, created the name Music Heals! Concert`s net proceeds are donated to charity organizations. I am constantly seeking others who share the same passion as me. If you are interested in working with me, don't hesitate to send me a message . I love to hear your ideas. If you are not in Toronto, why not start your own Music Heals! from where you are!

REPERTOIRE

CURRENT REPERTOIRE

SINCE 2005

Brahms - Op 118 No 2 [7 min]

Ravel - La Valse [13 min]

Liszt - Sonetto 104 del Petrarca

- Sonetto 47 del Petrarca

- Mephisto Waltz No 1 [12.5 mnin]

Strauss/Grünfeld - Soirée de Vienne Op. 56 "Fledermaus"

Bach - Prelude and Fugues Book 1, No. 4 in C#- [8 min]

Beethoven

- Piano Sonata Op 57, Appassionata [24.0 min=10+6+8]

- Piano Sonata Op 109 [20 min=4.5+2+13]

- Bagatelle Op. 126: No. 1, 2, 3, 5 [13.5 min=4+3.5+3+3]

Brahms

- Capriccio Op 76 No 5 in C# Minor [5 min]

- Intermezzo Op 118 :

No 1 [2 .5 min]

No 2 [7min]

No 3 [4.5 min]

No 4 [3.5 min]

No 5 [3 min]

No 6 [6 min]

- Intermezzo Op. 119 No. 1 in B- [4 min]

- Rhapsody Op. 79 No. 1 in G- [6.5 min]

Chopin

- Ballade #1 in g minor [9'30'']

- Ballade #4 in F minor [11 min]

- Etude Op. 25 No. 7 in C#- (Cello) - [6'00'']

- Etude Op. 10 No. 12 in C- (Revolutionary) [2.5 min]

- Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 55 No. 2 - [5'40'']

- Polonaise Op. 53 in A Flat Major Heroic [6'00'']

- Scherzo Op. 20 in B- [9 min]

- Scherzo Op. 31 in Bb- [11 min]

- Ginastera Danza Argentinas [8 min]

Liszt

- La Campanella (Grandes Etudes de Paganini No. 3) [5 min]

- Isoldes Liebestode (Wagner) [8 min]

- Mephisto Waltz No 1 [12.5 mnin]

- Piano Concerto No. 2

- Sonata in B Minor [31'00'']

- Totentanz [17'00'']

- Vallee Dobermann [15 min]

Louie, Alexina - Fastforward [4 min]

Mendelssohn - Variations Serieuses op. 54 [12.5 min]

Poulenc - 15 Improvisations: No. 1, 13, 15 [7 min]

Rachmaninoff

- Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G-

- Prelude Op. 32 No. 4 in E- [6.5 min]

- Prelude Op. 32 No. 5 in G+ [3 min]

- Etude-tableau Op.33 No.3 in C-

- Etude Tableaux Op. 33 No 7 in G- [3 min]

- Etude Tableaux Op. 39 No. 6 in A- [3.5 min]

Ravel - La Valse [13 min]

Schubert - Impromptus D. 90, Op. 1 [5 min]

Schumann - Symphonic Etudes, Op.13 [32 min]

Scriabin

- 24 Preludes Op. 11 (selections) [12 min]

- Op. 9 No. 1 and 2 (for Left Hand only) [10 min]

- Sonata No. 5 [13 min]

Yin Chengzong

- Yellow River Piano Concert: 2nd mvmt [5 min]

(solo piano arrangement by Ricker Choi)

Villa Lobos - Impressoes Seresteiras [7.5 min]

NEXT IN PLAN

Brahms - Op 117 No 3, Op 119 No 1 [4 min]

Rachmaninoff

- Etude Tableux Op.33 No.8 in G minor

- Elegie

- Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G-

Bartok - Romanian folk dances

Beethoven - Appassionata

Rzewski - People United Will Never Be Defeated!

FAVORITES

NOVELS

Demian (by Hermann Hesse)

The Mill on the Floss (George Eliot)

A Farewell to Arms (by Ernest Hemingway)

Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet (by Shakespeare)

The Brothers Karamazov (by Fyodor Dostoevsky)

A Separate Peace (by John Knowles)

The Catcher in the Rye (by J. D. Salinger)

One Hundred Years of Solitude (by Gabriel García Márquez)

OPERAS

.

The Ring of the Nibelung (by Richard Wagner)

Tristan und Isolde (by Richard Wagner)

Elektra (by Richard Strauss)

MOVIES

Lars von Trier's films :

Melancholia, Breaking the Waves

Dancer in the Dark

Kurosawa's films :

The Hidden Fortress, Rashomon,

Throne of Blood, Ran, Ikiru

Ignmar Bergman's films :

Cries and Whispers, Wild Strawberries,

Scenes from a Marriage,

The Seventh Seal, Persona

Mike Leigh's films :

Happy Go Lucky, Vera Drake

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)

Antonement (2007)

Before Sunrise (1995) / Before Sunset (2004)

Blade Runner, director's cut (1982)

The Deer Hunter (1978)

The English Patient (1996)

Happiness (1998)

The Hours (2002)

The Ice Storm (1997)

La jetée (The Pier)

Let the Right One In (2008)

The Love of Siam (2007)

Metropolis (1927)

Monster's Ball (2001)

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

The Sweet Hereafter (1997)

Three Colours: Blue (1993)

VIDEOS

Liszt-Totentanz

Louie-Fastforward

Ravel-La Valse

Liszt-Wagner-Liebestod-Ricker Choi

Scriabin-Sonata-No-5

Rachmaninoff Op 39 No 6

Brahms Op 118 No 1

Brahms Op 118 No 2

Brahms Op 118 No 4

Brahms Op 118 No 6

Liszt-Totentanz

Louie-Fastforward

Ravel-La Valse

Liszt-Wagner-Liebestod-Ricker Choi

Scriabin-Sonata-No-5

Rachmaninoff Op 39 No 6

Brahms Op 118 No 1

Brahms Op 118 No 2

Brahms Op 118 No 4

Brahms Op 118 No 6

PRESS

Dedication drives dynamic pianist

Aug 16, 2008 04:30 AM John Terauds - CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC

There is nothing unusual about a summer music festival highlighting its students. But there is something unusual about one of the students who will be on stage at Walter Hall this afternoon. ( click to read on ... )

Concert pianist is a risk-analytics specialist by day Feb 25, 2009 By Kate Betts-Wilmott

He once had to choose between music and business; now Ricker Choi enjoys both worlds. When Ricker Choi finished high school, he had to decide whether to pursue a career in music or one in business. ( click to read on ... )

COC Free Concert - Ricker Choi

November 27, 2011 A day in the Life of a Torontonian

The Canadian Opera Company continues to sponsor free lunch time concerts at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Recently featured pianist Ricker Choi had a back story that is as interesting as his performance was impressive. ( click to read on ... )

CONTACT

GUEST BOOK

PRIVATE MESSAGE

GUEST BOOK

PRIVATE MESSAGE

LINKS

TORONTO

INTERNATIONAL

TORONTO

Music Can Heal: visit on facebook

(a non-profit organization that puts musicians into hospitals and hospices to enhance patient stays)

Local Music Festivals:

Markham Music Festival: http://www.euromusic.ca/mmf.shtml

Kiwanis Music Festival of Greater Toronto: http://kiwanismusictoronto.org

North York Music Festival: http://www.northyorkmusicfestival.com

CCC Piano Competition: http://www.cccpianocompetitions.org

Scarborough Music Festival: http://musicscarborough.com

Davenport Music Festival: http://davenportfestivalofmusic.org

Peel Music Festival: http://www.peelmusicfestival.ca/Main.aspx

Pickering Music Festival: http://www.pgtamf.ca

INTERNATIONAL

Amateur Pianist Resource Web Site: http://amateurpianists.org

Nancy M. Williams: Reflections on a Grand Passion

"Choreography of the Hands: The Work of Dorothy Taubman": introduction to Taubman's piano technique

http://vimeo.com/9010208

Other Accomplished Amateur Pianists:

http://christophershih.com/

http://thomasyu.ca

http://www.robertfinleypianist.com

http://www.rupertegertonsmith.com

http://www.dominicpierssmith.com

http://www.paulanthonyromero.com

Amateur Piano Competitions and Festivals:

France - Paris: International Competition for Outstanding Piano Amateurs

Les Amateurs! Festival Paris

Germany - Berlin: Piano Amateur Piano Competition Berlin

Meiningin: International Hans-von-Bülow Piano Competition

United Kingdom - London: Open Piano Competition

Russia - St. Petersburg: Piano Bridges Amateur Piano Competition

US - Cambridge: Boston International Piano Competition

Chicago: Chicago Amateur Piano Competition

Colorado Springs: Celbration of the Amateur Pianist & The Rocky Mountain Piano Competition

Fort Worth: Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs

Houston: The Chopin Society of Houston Adult Amateur Piano Competition

New York: Amateur Classical Musician Association

Saratoga: California Concerto

Washington: WIPAC Washington International Piano Artists Competition and Festival of Music

West Chester: musicAppassionata

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