"Jacqueline is an amazing teacher! She is kind, patient, and very encouraging and supportive. ...  "

"Her encouragement of discipline and hard work has laid the foundation for many of my successes in life. ... "

"Not only has my daughter developed as a pianist and has a passion for music, more importantly she grew as a person with confidence and with poise."

"Our son is soaring ahead in his understanding, appreciation and passion for music and Jacqueline is a primary reason. ... "

" ... after many recitals and performances in the Winnipeg Music Festival, I no longer become nervous or agitated when performing or doing presentations on projects or science fairs. ..."

"Her knowledge of the instrument, its technical requirements and music genre is far-reaching ... "

"She has been one of my biggest influences as a performer and it would have been impossible for me to reach this high level without her. ... "

"Piano is a joy and learning it with Ms. Ryz makes it even better. ... "

"In her, we not only find a talented, accomplished pianist, but an inspiring teacher and mentor. ..."

"Over the past eight years, I have been mentored by the most significant educational influence of my life, Jacqueline Ryz."

"She really brought my playing to a new level. ... I got into and was offered scholarships from both schools ... "

"Jacqueline will definitely be someone that I will remember as a teacher who has given me something that I will carry on for the rest of my life: the beautiful gift of playing the piano."

" ... her belief in me has given me the inspiration to continue and to strive to be the best I can be."  

Welcome to my website, presenting my piano studio in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I maintain a busy schedule giving one-on-one piano lessons to students of all levels throughout the year, but I can always find time for new students who are enthusiastic about music and sincerely committed to learning to play the piano well.

Current students and parents, please continue to check this website weekly for updates and periodically review my Studio Health Protocols page. As always, if you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Noteworthy News

NB! Lessons resume Tuesday, September 6 (the day after Labour Day). Please prepare your summer practice assignment for your first lesson.

Congratulations to Victoria and to Andy for earning first place honours with distinction for their Grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music examinations in the August session.

Significant successes for long-time student Seanne

Seanne Buenafe with me on stage of the Salle Henri-Gagnon in the Faculty of Music at Laval University, Quebec

Congratulations to long-time student Seanne who placed first is his age category (17-and-under) at the Canadian Music Competition national finals held in Quebec City in June, 2022. Seanne and I performed Rachmaninoff''s Rhapsodie on a theme of Paganini on two nine-foot concert grand pianos in the Salle Henri Gagnon in the Faculty of Music at Laval University. Seanne will begin the piano performance program at McGill University in Montreal in Fall, 2022, with a significant entrance scholarship. Seanne also received scholarship offers from the piano performance programs at the Universities of British Columbia and Manitoba, and was accepted to the piano performance program at University of Toronto as well.

Winnipeg Music Festival 2022 Results!

Congratulations again to Seanne who won the Canadian, Late Romantic and 20th/21st Century Composers diploma level classes, and was runner-up in the Concert Etude and Concerto classes. Seanne's performance of the Canadian work, In Memoriam to the Victims of Chernobyl, was considered for the Aikins Memorial trophy awarded to the top instrumentalist in the Festival. (Seanne subsequently placed first in the Provincial finals for the Diploma level Canadian Composers class which took place in Brandon, May 28.)

Congratulations to Victoria who was runner up for the Junior Musical Club trophy awarded for the most outstanding instrumental performance in Grade 9. Victoria qualified for that trophy class by winning both the the Canadian and French Composers Grade 9 classes. She also won the Sonata class and was runner-up in the Concerto class for that grade.

And congratulations to Micah who was runner up for the Swedish Musical Club trophy awarded for the most outstanding instrumental performance in Grace 7. Micah qualified for that trophy class by placing first in the Grade 7 Baroque class.

Also in Grade 7, Alexus placed first in the 20th/21st Century class and was runner-up for the Baroque and Sonata classes, and Chloe was runner-up in both the Baroque and 20th/21st Century Grade 7 classes.

And congratulations to Victoria and Andy who teamed up to win the Grade 9/10 Duet class. Andy was also runner-up in both the Canadian and Romantic Composers Grade 9 classes.

Winter Recital, 2021 ... live, in person!

I was thrilled that we were able to hold an in-person winter recital in December; it was the first time in two years you have been able to play for each other in person! As I said at that event, I am so proud of all of you for what we were able to accomplish together over the past difficult year.

Congratulations to longtime student Nika who earned her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) diploma with first class honours with distinction this August.
Nika's mark for her ARCT exam was the highest in Manitoba for the 2020-21 academic year! She was presented with a gold medal to recognize this achievement in an online ceremony, Fall, 2021.
Here are links to Nika performing two elements of her ARCT program: Chopin Nocturne in D flat major, Op.27, No.2, and Oiseaux Tristes from Miroirs by Maurice Ravel.

Jacqueline Ryz is a gifted pianist and teacher whose passion for music inspires audiences and students alike. Her professionalism, skilled teaching and approachability allows for her to develop pianists of a very high standard. I highly recommend her as a teacher for beginners as well as students who are already established pianists. Jacqueline's motivational teaching style has inspired my sons to practice and develop an excellent work ethic; they quickly developed into fine young pianists. - Carol L Ridd Arts Consultant, River East Transcona School Division

I was thrilled and honoured to receive a "Teacher of Distinction" award from the Royal Conservatory for 2019. Thank you very much to everyone who supported my nomination.

Noteworthy Links

Here's a link to a charming reflection by Jeremy Denk in the New Yorker Magazine on the sometimes humourous trials and tribulations of piano lessons and the impact of two special teachers on his musical development.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/04/video-jeremy-denks-piano-lessons.html?mobify=0

Here's a link to a new digital resource for music study which came to my attention through the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association conference in Vancouver, summer of 2015 - the ABRSM Aural Trainer app at http://www.dreammusictool.ca/abrsm-aural-trainer which can very helpful for ear training.