Photo by Michelle Diamond

 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Dr. Melody Chan is a versatile Canadian pianist whose artistic practice encompasses collaborative piano, solo performance, chamber music, and music education. Described as “poised” and “elegant” by WholeNote magazine, she has performed throughout Canada and internationally, collaborating with instrumentalists, singers, choral ensembles, and dance artists.

Her collaborative engagements include serving as an official collaborative pianist for the Vancouver International Competition and as official accompanist for the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Suzuki string classes. She has worked as a freelance collaborative pianist for the BCCM Competition and the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival since 2016, and has served as collaborative pianist with Gloria Dei Chorale since 2024. Her performance experience spans choral music, instrumental collaboration, dance, chamber music, and competition settings.

As a concert pianist, Dr. Chan has appeared at festivals in Canada and Italy and was featured as a soloist in Orchestra Toronto’s virtual concert series celebrating Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Her performance of Denis Gougeon’s Piano-Soleil was broadcast on RCF Radio in France. A recipient of grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR, she also brings extensive experience in freelance music instruction, university teaching, guest lecturing, and music adjudication.

EDUCATION & PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Vancouver Academy of Music — Vancouver, British Columbia
Artist Diploma | 2020

University of Toronto — Toronto, Ontario
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Piano Performance | 2015
Master of Music (MMus) in Piano Performance | 2009

  • Completed graduate studies on a fully funded fellowship.

University of British Columbia — Vancouver, British Columbia
Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Piano Performance | 2007

  • Invited to join the Golden Key Society in recognition of academic excellence.

The Royal Conservatory of Music
Performer’s ARCT in Piano | 2002

COLLABORATIVE PIANO & PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

Gloria Dei Chorale
Collaborative Pianist | 2024–Present

BCCM Competition
Freelance Collaborative Pianist| 2016–Present

Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival— Vancouver, British Columbia
Freelance Collaborative Pianist| 2016–Present

Vancouver International Competition— Vancouver, British Columbia
Official Collaborative Pianist | 2017

  • Performed at the competition’s Final Gala.

Royal Conservatory of Music
Official Accompanist, Suzuki String Classes | 2013–2015

Ballet Jörgen
Guest Pianist | 2013

Cantabile Chamber Singers
Performing Pianist | 2015

CHAMBER MUSIC & FESTIVAL ENGAGEMENTS

Vancouver Westcoast Music Society— Vancouver, British Columbia
Two-Piano Recitalist

  • Performed in a two-piano recital with pianist Matthew Ming Li.

Music by the Sea Festival — Victoria, British Columbia
Artist-in-Residence | 2023

International Music Festival — Casalmaggiore, Italy
Festival Performer

  • Performed in summer concert programs across multiple seasons.

International Northwest Piano Ensemble Competition

  • Named a laureate alongside pianist Matthew Ming Li.

SELECTED SOLO PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Orchestra Toronto
Featured Soloist, Virtual Concert Series| 2020

  • Featured as a soloist in Orchestra Toronto’s virtual concert series celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.

RCF Radio — France

  • Featured in a broadcast of a live performance of Denis Gougeon’s Piano-Soleil.

TEACHING & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

Freelance Music Instructor | 2003–Present

  • Provides independent music instruction as a freelance educator.

University of Toronto — Toronto, Ontario
Teaching Assistant | 2010–2015

  • Served as a teaching assistant for classes taught by Susan Hoepffner, Peter Stoll, and Frank Harmantas.

Trinity Western University
Guest Lecturer | 2023

ADJUDICATION

Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association
Adjudicator, Scholarship Competition | 2021

GRANTS, AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

  • Canada Council for the Arts — Grant recipient.

  • FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings) — Grant recipient.

  • Golden Key Society, University of British Columbia — Recognition for academic excellence.

  • International Northwest Piano Ensemble Competition — Laureate, alongside pianist Matthew Ming Li.

SELECTED REPERTOIRE & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Repertoire

  • Vocal repertoire: Standard art song and vocal literature from the major Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century traditions.

  • Instrumental repertoire: Standard repertoire for strings and other instrumentalists, including sonatas, recital works, and chamber music.

  • Chamber music: Standard chamber repertoire for piano and instrumental ensembles.

  • Choral repertoire: Repertoire for choral ensembles, including collaborative rehearsal and performance work.

  • Dance accompaniment: Piano accompaniment in dance and ballet settings.

  • Solo piano repertoire: Standard solo piano literature spanning major stylistic periods.

Professional Skills

  • Collaborative performance with singers, instrumentalists, and choral ensembles.

  • Rehearsal preparation and ensemble coordination.

  • Sight-reading and score preparation.

  • Adaptability to diverse musical styles and performance settings.

  • Competition, festival, recital, and audition accompaniment.

  • Music instruction and educational support.

  • Solo and chamber music performance.

REFERENCES

Available upon request.