Dr. Dominic Florence is a Canadian pianist and writer who has earned praise not only for his accomplishments, but also for his distinctive approach to music. Dominic continually questions the path generally travelled by professional pianists as he searches for a more independent method of studying music.

While at university, he received several major performing and academic awards; among these were the Gold Medal in Piano Performance from the University of Western Ontario, the Award for Most Outstanding Graduate from the University of Southern California, and a Graduate Fellowship from the University of British Columbia. His piano professors were Ronald Turini, Bernadene Blaha, Robert Silverman and Jane Coop.

Having decided many years ago to abstain from the modern approach involving competitions and recordings, Dominic has instead turned his attention to writing about music and giving performances with lectures. He has published several music essays and served as a music critic. Dominic also founded the Bach Keyboard Sessions which include recitals, lectures and masterclasses.

Following a stunning “final” recital in April 2008, Dominic briefly left the concert stage and taught piano for a semester at Carleton University. Through careful consideration, he has since decided to re-dedicate himself to performing; without regard to recognition, his primary intent is to provide private audiences and small communities with the opportunity to think about and hear live traditional western art music.

Working exclusively as a soloist, his current focus is on presenting the works of J. S. Bach, but also selected compositions by Beethoven, Liszt, Scriabin and Rzewski. Those who have heard him perform remark upon Dominic’s relentless attention to detail and his ability to command the entire audience. Balancing a careful preservation of the composer’s wishes and an unfailing conviction in his own interpretation, he presents remarkably individual performances.

Dominic has just recently been named a Mason & Hamlin Artist.

Degrees and Diplomas

● Associate Performer’s Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto (1995)

● Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Western Ontario (2000)

● Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California (2002)

● Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia (2006)

Major University Awards

● University of Western Ontario Gold Medal in Piano Performance (2000)

● University of Southern California Award for Most Outstanding Graduate in Music (2002)

● University of British Columbia Fellowship (2004-2005)

Teaching Experience [more information here]

● Associate Faculty Member at Carleton University (Fall 2008) - duties involved giving weekly private piano lessons for a studio of piano majors, preparing them for juries, writing assessments and assigning grades for their work

● Piano Studio Teaching Assistant at the University of British Columbia (2002-2004) - duties involved giving weekly private piano lessons for a studio of music majors, preparing them for juries and assigning grades for their work

● Private coaching given to university piano students upon frequent request (UWO, USC, UBC)

● Substitute leader in masterclasses for my teacher’s university piano studio (UBC)

● Private teaching for 14 years

● Substitute teaching for a private studio of young students (London, Ontario)

● Since September 2007, a working relationship with the Aeolian School of Music in London

University Scholarships and Honours

● University of Western Ontario:

-Entrance and Continuing Scholarship (1996-2000)

-Faculty Dependents Scholarship (1996-2000)

● University of Southern California:

-Tuition Scholarship (2001-2002)

-International Student Academic Award (2002)

-Award for Superior Scholarship and Outstanding Musical Performance, from the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda (2002)

● University of British Columbia:

-Entrance Scholarship (2002)

-Tuition Scholarship (2003-2006)

-Mildred Johnson Scholarship (2003)

-Ruth Parnum King Memorial Prize (2003)

-Special University Scholarship (2005)

-DC & HL Knigge Graduate Scholarship (2005)

Recent Teachers

● Ronald Turini (1996-2000)

● Bernadene Blaha (2000-2002)

● Robert Silverman (2002-2003)

● Jane Coop (2003-2006)

Competitions

● As a youth, I was awarded numerous scholarships and prizes in Kiwanis and Rotary music festivals. I also received one second-place and two first-place prizes in three appearances at provincial competitions in Ontario. Upon entering university, I forsook competitions as I feel their inherent qualities are far outnumbered by their failings; quite often they encourage students to attain a false set of goals. I relaxed my commitment against competitions only once, as I entered the UBC Concerto Competition in 2003. I won, resulting in two performances with the UBC Symphony Orchestra in April 2004.

Major Solo Recitals [more information here]

● London, Ontario, Canada:

-May 1995, February 1998, March 1999, April 2000, June 2001, December 2004, October 2006, June 2007, October 2007, November 2007, February 2008

● Guelph, Ontario, Canada:

-February 2007

● Burlington, Ontario, Canada:

-September 2007, February 2009, March 2009

● Kemptville, Ontario, Canada:

-March 2007, April 2008, March 2009

● Los Angeles, California, USA:

-April 2001, April 2002

● Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:

-April 2003, January 2005, October 2005, March 2006

Writing [more information here]

● Published CD reviews, book reviews, and articles on musical ideology in ArtSCAPE magazine

● At their request for critical comments, written numerous reviews for Orchestra London (2006-2007)

Lectures and Masterclasses

● Critically acclaimed lecture and performance of the entire Art of Fugue, March 2006

● Guest lecturer on 18th century counterpoint at the University of Western Ontario, April 2007

● Engaged to give a series of masterclasses at the Toronto School of Music Canada

● Continuing since September 2007, giving lectures and leading masterclasses as part of the Bach Keyboard Sessions

Current Projects

● Studying and performing all of J. S. Bach’s works for keyboard

● Writing a book of essays on interpretation and education in music

● Founding and presenting the Bach Keyboard Sessions, which encourages student participation through recitals, lectures and masterclasses

● Promoting and performing on Mason & Hamlin pianos (first concerts held February and March 2009)

● Recording and releasing selected material as part of The Isolation Cantos