"Jacqueline is an amazing teacher! She is kind, patient, and very encouraging and supportive. ... "
"Her knowledge of the instrument, its technical requirements and music genre is far-reaching ... "
"Piano is a joy and learning it with Ms. Ryz makes it even better. ... "
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
Several Successes for long-time student Seanne
Congratulations to long-time student Seanne who 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.
Seanne has also qualified for the National level of the Canadian Music Competition in the 17-and-under age category.. We will be travelling to Quebec City in June to perform Rhapsodie on a theme of Paganini together in the final round of this competition.
As well, Seanne placed first in the Provincial finals for the Diploma level Canadian Composers class which took place in Brandon, May 28.
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.
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.
Recent Royal Conservatory of Music exam results
Congratulations as well to Kaylani who earned first class honours with distinction for her Grade 4 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam and to Chathuli who earned first class honours for her Grade 3 exam. Both these exams were conducted over Zoom.
Winter Recital, 2021 ... live, in person!
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| 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 Chloe who recently earned first class honours with distinction for her Grade 7 Royal Conservatory of Music exam taken over Zoom! Chloe subsequently made a video of some of her exam pieces for the "Angel Squad" program at the Misericordia Hospital.
More Distinctive Exam Results -and four gold medals!
Congratulations to Nika who earned a gold medal for the highest mark in Manitoba during the 2020-21 academic year for her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) examination.
Congratulations also to Siwon and to Hannah who both earned first class honours with distinction for their Grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music exams and to Victoria and Andy who also earned first class honours with distinction for their Grade 8 RCM exams, as well as to Micah and Alexus who both earned first class honours with distinction for their Grade 6 RCM exams. All these exams were conducted over Zoom!
The marks for Hannah, Victoria and Alexus were also the highest in the province last year, so they, along with Nika, were recognized in a gold medal ceremony conducted over Zoom this past fall.
Provincial Music Festival Results
Congratulations to Victoria, Alexus and Micah who all represented the Winnipeg Festival in the Manitoba Provincial Festival this past May. Victoria placed first in intermediate piano and also won the Canadian Composers class at that level. Alexus placed first in junior piano, and Micah was runner up in junior piano Canadian Composers class.
Winnipeg Music Festival Results
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Congratulations to Victoria who won the Manitoba Music Teachers' Association trophy awarded to the most outstanding instrumentalist in Grade 8. This is the third year in a row Victoria has been recognized as the top instrumentalist in her grade. She earned the right to compete for this trophy by winning the Sonatina, French composers and Canadian composers classes. Victoria also won the Grade 8 Concerto class.
Congratulations also to Alexus who won Sonatina and Canadian composers classes in Grade 6, and to Micah who won the 20th/21st Century and Baroque classes in that same grade. Alexus was runner-up for the Institute of Chartered Piano Tuners of Manitoba trophy awarded to the most outstanding instrumentalist in Grade 6; Micah was awarded the Madge O. Stevens bursary. |
Congratulations as well to Seanne who won the 20th/21st Century class at the Diploma level, and was runner up in four other classes - Canadian composers, Sonata, Early Romantic, and the Concerto class.
Also well deserving of commendation, Andy was runner up in the Grade 8 baroque class, and Sean was runner up in the Grade 7 sonata class.
This year's festival was conducted entirely through video submission.
| 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.
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| 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. | |
And congratulations to Lauren and Raymond who earned their Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) diplomas with first class honours this spring.
Their achievements are the culmination of years of dedicated hard work, and final preparation since March, 2020 involved remote lessons only - many hours of online instruction and communication about their YouTube videos that had to be submitted to the Conservatory for assessment in June. This is a huge accomplishment under challenging circumstances and they are to be commended wholeheartedly!
Here's a link to Raymond performing the three Gershwin Preludes, an element of his ARCT program.
Here are links to Lauren performing two elements of her ARCT program:
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 "Moonlight" (third movement) and Allegro Barbaro by Bela Bartok.
Six (6) gold medalists!!!!!!
Congratulations to Elise, Alexus, Emily, Victoria, Hannah and Seanne who each received a gold medal for earning the highest mark in Manitoba for their respective Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 Royal Conservatory examinations during the 2018-19 exam year! They received their medals at the RCM Celebration of Excellence event on November 23 in the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Another international competition success!
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Congratulations to Seanne who placed first in his age category (11-14) in the concerto competition at the 2019 Philadelphia International Music Camp & Festival in June. Seanne played the Greig Concerto with which he had won the John Melnyk trophy and bursary for best performance of a piano concerto in the Winnipeg Music Festival. In August, Seanne attended the Minnesota International Piano Camp in Minneapolis where he had the opportunity to perform the Grieg Concerto with orchestra! |
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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 |
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.