Pianist Sylvia Shadick-Taylor is a superb soloist and chamber musician who has toured in Europe, Asia and North America. Her highly expressive performances reflect an intense exploration of composers’ artistic visions. Sylvia lives in Edmonton and is active as a teacher, clinician and vocal coach.
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Professional Experience
| 1980 – present | Private Piano Instructor Edmonton, AB |
| 1978 – present | Freelance Accompanist Edmonton, AB |
| 2023 | Assisting Pianist Canada West Performing Arts Festival Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds Lecture Recital Concordia University |
| 2022 |
Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds European Tour of Germany and Republic of Czech Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds | Edmonton, AB |
| 2019 | Lecture: Contemporary Notation and Sounds in Canadian Piano Repertoire University of Saskatchewan, SK Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds | Edmonton, AB |
| 2018 | Emcee 25th Anniversary Gala Concert Contemporary Showcase Edmonton Festival Jury Panelist: Piano Exams Concordia University | Edmonton, AB Guest Pianist Edmonton Winds | Edmonton, AB Participant in Roundtable Discussion Music Conference Alberta | Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds | Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist Saito Conducting Workshop | University of Alberta |
| 2017 | Guest Lecturer: For the Love of Canadian Music Music Conference Alberta | Red Deer, AB Article in ARMTA TEMPO magazine: Triple E Practice: Effective, Efficient and Enjoyable  Assisting HarpsichordistEdmonton Symphony Orchestra Assisting Pianist Edmonton Winds | Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference Edmonton, AB Guest Lecturer: Effective, Efficient and Enjoyable Practice Concordia University | Edmonton, AB |
| 2016 | As Co-chair of Contemporary Showcase: –presentation of Young Composers Program –presentation of Contemporary Showcase Festival –MC of Gala Concert Assisting pianist Edmonton Winds Anniversary Concert Edmonton, AB Assisting pianist Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Respighi – Church Windows Edmonton, AB Assisting pianist Ante Meridiem Choir Spring Concert Edmonton, AB |
| 2015 | Assisting Pianist for Augustin Nguyen, saxophone Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist Ante Meridiem Choir Christmas Concert Edmonton, AB Accompanist University of Alberta Concerto Competition Edmonton, AB Official Accompanist National Music Festival Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia’s Tour of California Assisting Pianist for violinist Christina Choi The Shean Strings Competition Edmonton, AB Master Class Pianist Opera Nuova Edmonton, AB |
| 2014 | Assisting Pianist Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Pops Series Assisting Pianist Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Natalie MacMaster with Donnell Leahy and family Assisting Pianist New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia Assisting Pianist for competitors Northern Alberta Concerto Competition Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist David Shefsiek Vocal Master Class Music Conference Alberta Edmonton, AB |
| 2013 | Producer Violet Archer Centenary Concert | Program September 2013 Convocation Hall | University of Alberta Clinician Creativity and Communication in Music Concordia University | Edmonton, AB Adjudicator: Terrace, BC Fort St. John, BC Whitecourt, AB Accompanist Fourth Annual Edmonton Bassoon Bash Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia Edmonton, AB |
| 2012 | Juror Piano Exams | Concordia University Edmonton, AB Adjudicator: Ottawa, ON Medicine Hat, AB |
| 2011 | Accompanist Second Annual Edmonton Bassoon Bash Edmonton, AB Clinician Contemporary Music | Concordia University Edmonton, AB Adjudicator Grant MacEwan University | Alberta College | Edmonton, AB Peace River, AB |
| 1990 – 2011 | Assistant Accompanist Pro Coro Canada Edmonton, AB |
| 2010 | Guest Lecturer Augustana University | Camrose, AB Adjudicator: Shuswap/Salmon Arm, BC Leduc, AB Lethbridge, AB Accompanist First Annual Edmonton Bassoon Bash Edmonton, AB Official Accompanist for Alberta competitors National Music Festival Montreal, Que. Guest pianist Pre-Tenors Edmonton, AB |
| 1992, ’93, 1997–2004, 2009, 2010 | Assistant Keyboard Edmonton Symphony Orchestra |
| 2009 | Clinician Soundplay Strathcona Teachers Association Sherwood Park, AB Guest pianist Heart and Stroke Foundation Reception Edmonton, AB Assisting Pianist New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia Edmonton, AB Faculty Accompanist MusiCamp Alberta Red Deer, AB Official Accompanist Alberta National Music Festival Saskatoon, SK Accompanist Opera Nuova Intensive Weekend Edmonton, AB Faculty Accompanist Cantando Music Festival Edmonton, AB Adjudicator: Whitehorse, YK Red Deer, AB Calgary, AB |
| 2008 | Assisting Pianist New Edmonton Wind Sinfonia Pianist Royal Conservatory of Music Silver Medal Ceremony Master Class Clinician Leduc Area Music Teachers’ Assoc. Official Accompanist Thailand International Saxophone Competition Bangkok, Thailand Official Accompanist National Music Festival Edmonton, AB Clinician New Approaches to Technique Edmonton, AB Accompanist Opera Nuova Intensive Weekend Edmonton, AB Adjudicator: Vancouver, BC Kamloops, BC Camrose, Barrhead, Grande Prairie, Lacombe, AB |
| 1983 – 2007 | Adjudicator Various centres in Alberta |
| 1981 – 2007 | Adjudicator Various centres in British Columbia |
| 2002–07 | Accompanist Call of the Wild Horn Festival Cold Lake, AB |
| 1992–2006 | Visiting Assistant Professor University of Alberta Accompanist, Vocal Coach Opera Workshop Program University of Alberta Edmonton, AB |
| 2006 | Piano Instructor Vivo Music Camp Edmonton, AB |
| 2006 | Master Class Clinician Registered Music Teachers Leduc and area, AB |
| 1982–2006 | Adjudicator Various centres in Saskatchewan |
| 2005 | Master Class Clinician Registered Music Teachers St. Albert, AB |
| 2002–2005 | Music Director Edmonton Excellence Awards |
| 2002–2004 | Head Clinician Music Alberta Piano Camp Red Deer, AB |
| 1991–2004 | Faculty Accompanist MusiCamrose Summer Workshop Camrose, AB |
| 2004 | Master Class Clinician University of Florida International Master Class Series |
| 2003 | Accompanist Opera Nuova Gala Performance |
| 2002 | Official Accompanist National Music Festival Lloydminster, AB |
| 1990–99 | Piano Instructor Alberta College St. Albert, AB |
| 1999 | Official Accompanist | Concerto Competition Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s rESOund Festival Edmonton, AB |
| 1995–98 | Chamber Music Coach University of Alberta |
| 1990–95 | Accompanist Cosmopolitan Music Society Chorus |
| 1992, ’93 | Accompanist Fundraising Cabaret –accompanying Michael Burgess Citadel Theatre | Edmonton, AB |
| 1989–92 | Assistant Repetiteur Edmonton Opera Association |
| 1986–92 | Examiner Western Board of Music |
| 1991 | Faculty and Student Accompanist Edmonton Suzuki Institute |
| 1988–90 | Pianist for Christmas Pantomimes St. George of England Society |
| 1985–86 | Accompanist Grant MacEwan College Opera Ensemble |
| 1985 | Accompanist The Meal Violet Archer Festival Edmonton, AB |
| 1984 | Faculty Accompanist Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts |
| 1983–84 | Piano Instructor Grant MacEwan College |
| 1982–83 | Sessional Lecturer
Aural Skills Instructor University of Alberta |
| 1978–79, 1981–82 | Repetiteur Edmonton Opera Association |
| 1980–81 | Accompanist Voice Department University of Alberta |
| 1980 | Chorus Director Assistant for opera I Am the Way |
| 1980 | Ballet Pianist Alberta Dance Teachers’ Clinic Camrose, AB |
| 1979, ’80 | Ballet Pianist Summer Workshops Edmonton School of Ballet |
| 1974-77 | Ballet Pianist Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts |
| 1974–75 | Ballet Pianist University of Saskatchewan |
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Studies
| 1979–80, ’95, ’97, 2003 | Studies with Thomas Muraco Vocal coach and accompanist New York, NY |
| 1988 | Art Song Master Classes Martin Isepp Winnipeg, MB |
| 1975–79, ’86 | Studies with Prof. A.M. Munn University of Alberta | Edmonton, AB |
| 1980–83, ’85 | Attends Piano Chamber Music and Vocal Chamber Music Classes Banff Center | Banff, Alberta –Clinicians: Lorand Fenyves, Franco Gulli, Thomas Muraco, Menahem Pressler, Tom and Isobel Rolston, Gyorgy Sebok |
| 1979 | Studies with Carlo Zecchi Mozarteum | Salzburg, Austria |
| 1977, ’78 | Attends Aspen Music Festival Studies with Thomas Muraco, Edith Oppens, Sam Lipman Aspen, CO |
| 1968–75 | Studies with Sheila Shinkewski Saskatoon, SK |
| 1974 | Attends Chamber Music workshop held by Camerata Shaw Festival | Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON |
| 1969, ’70 | Attends Lyell Gustin Summer School Saskatoon, SK |
| 1964–69 | Studies with Phyllis Vanterpool Saskatoon, SK |
| 1961–64 | Studies with Margaret Mead Saskatoon, SK |
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Degrees and Diplomas
| 1979 | Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) University of Alberta (cum laude) |
| 1979 | Licentiate of Music (L.Mus.) Western Board of Music |
| 1978 | Associate of Music (A.Mus.) Western Board of Music |
| 1976 | Associate of Music (A.R.C.T.) Royal Conservatory of Toronto |
Awards
| 2014 | Expressions CD shortlisted for 2014 Edmonton Music Prize More from Alberta Music » More from Edmonton Journal » |
| 2009 | Installation as Canadian Music Centre Ambassador National Arts Centre | Ottawa, ON CMC congratulatory letter |
| 2000 | Receives Alberta Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award for Best Classical Artist for her recording, Intimate Impressions: Piano Music of Federico Mompou |
| 1997 | Receives touring assistance grant from Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and assistance from Canadian Consulate in New York City |
| 1995 | Receives professional development grant from Alberta Foundation for the Arts |
| 1979 | Semi-finalist in Stepping Stones division of Canadian Music Competition |
| 1979–80 | Receives Saskatchewan Arts Board Major Grant for studies in New York |
| 1979 | Represents Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association at Young Artist Auditions |
| 1977 | Winner of Saskatchewan Talent Hunt |
| 1977 | Winner of various awards from Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Music Festivals — SK Representative for Piano at National Finals in Toronto, ON |
| 1976 | Ties for First Place at the Canadian Music Competitions — 18 and under category Montreal, PQ |
| 1969, 70 | Receives Silver Medals from the Royal Conservatory of Music for Grade 8 & 9 Piano exams |
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