On November the 24th Bowen Islanders are going to have a musical treat. The Vancouver Piano Ensemble (VPE) will be play the opening concert of the Bowen Island Arts Council's (BIAC) 2013-2014 Classical Concert Series.
Each of the members are solo and chamber music artists in their own right but they come together as the VPE to play the piano in groups of two or more.
The group was formed in 2000 and has performed at various local venues and further afield, in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, and various parts of China, to standing ovations. In 2001, 2004 and 2009 the VPE, in collaboration with the renowned Baynov Piano Ensemble from Germany, played concerts for various combinations of pianists, including up to 32 hands on 8 pianos. In 2002, the VPE was invited to open the Third International Competition for Piano-Six Hands, in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
Individual members of the VPE have performed concerts in various cities in Canada, the USA, Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands and more to critical acclaim. In addition, the music recorded by the VPE on its CDs has been heard on national radio in Canada in various country-wide programs.
Chin Yen Lee was born in Malaysia and raised in Singapore. She has a Licentiate from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and has won multiple awards and prizes. Not only is Chin Yen Lee a musician, she has a Ph.D. in law from the University of London, and has both taught and practiced law in Australia. She is the author of numerous legal publications and several books
Currently, she lives in Vancouver with her inquisitive dog, two beautiful pianos, and a garden full of weeds.
Winfried Rompf was born in Bremen, Germany, but immigrated to Canada as a child. His was training in British Columbia. He, like Chin Yen Lee, has won a number of other awards and recognitions.
He founded the VPE and has extensive experience in solo performance, chamber music, vocal collaborations and coaching. He was conductor of the Gloria Ensemble a Community Chorus and Orchestra specializing in larger sacred works, such as oratorios, motets and masses. In addition, he was Music Director, conductor and pianist in several large churches in Vancouver and the senior piano examiner for the British Columbia Conservatory of Music, festival adjudicator, and master class clinician both, in Canada and abroad. He has frequently been on the jury of the International Competition for Piano Six Hands and Two Pianos Eight Hands in Marktoberdorf, representing Canada.
In 2010 he was appointed Vice President of the British Columbia Conservatory of Music.
Susan Wong Lim was originally from Taiwan via Hong Kong, but also grew up in Vancouver. After completing the ARCT diploma (Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto), Susan did advanced studies at the University of British Columbia.
Ms. Lim has a strong interest in chamber music, and especially enjoys collaborating with her son Ashton, a cellist.
She is a strong supporter of music in the community and is the concert chairman of the Vancouver Women's Musical Society. She is also on the board of the Vancouver Recital Society.
Tanya Tyuleneva began her studies early in life in her native Russia, and her pianistic artistry and skills were nurtured and "polished" at the famous Russian Piano School. Throughout her young career she won a number of competitions as a soloist and duet player throughout Russia and the Ukraine. She eventually went on to complete her master's degree at the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory of Music.
After her graduation Tatiana Tyuleneva became a sought after pianist and piano collaborator. She worked at the Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow as an accompanist with the vocal and string departments.
In 2005, Ms. Tyuleneva moved to Vancouver with her family. She soon established her own studio, where she shares her art and passion for music with her students. Her students regularly participate in local events and festivals. In the 2008 Russian Music Festival, Tatiana received a special award for having the largest number of students who succeeded at their performances.
She currently maintains a busy teaching schedule while collaborating with a variety of local musicians. In addition, she recently became a recording artist for the 2009 series with the British Columbia Conservatory of Music and joined the VPE in 2010.
The concert will be held at Cates Hill Chapel on November 24th at 3.30 pm. Doors open at 3.00 pm. Subscriptions cost for the series of four classical concerts cost $105 and are available from the BIAC website <www.biac.ca>, or from the Gallery Friday through Sunday from 12 noon until 4 pm. Individual tickets can also be purchased at the door for each concert at $45.
