An Interview with 2011 Honens ProAm Competitor Colin Edie

When I was with Suite101.com, I had the chance to speak with Colin Edie, one of the recreational pianists who participated in the 2011 Honens Piano Competition for Amateurs in Calgary, Alberta last month. A petroleum engineer for Encana by day, Colin discussed his piano lessons, the Honens ProAm, continuing education and observations about music.

Colin Edie on Early Music Lessons

“I'm the youngest of three siblings,” Colin explained. “My older brother and sister, they took piano lessons for a year. I took them at the same time. I was probably five-years old. That only lasted a year, for all of us.”

Colin couldn't stay away from the piano for very long. “When I was in Grade 2, I was sitting down at the piano and playing around,” he said. “I asked my mom if I could be put back into piano lessons. She was almost crying for joy.” He re-enrolled in piano lessons with Mr. Reisecamp, starting with group lessons and graduating up to private lessons.

Colin studied with Calgary-based piano teacher Joan Bell from Grade 6 school (Grade 4 piano) up to high school. He really connected with Joan Bell's approach: “Focus on the music. Focus on the enjoyment of it.”

Piano gave way to sports and school in high school “I stopped at the beginning of Grade 12. I just didn't really feel like practising that much anymore.”

Colin Edie on Playing the Piano Between Lab Experiments

After graduating from high school, Colin Edie studied engineering at Queen's University. As luck would have it, one of his classes presented him with an opportunity to play around on the piano. “In fourth year is when I really started getting back into it,” he explained. “I had a lab thesis, an undergrad thesis. Mine was a lab one where you can always spend time in the lab and the type of experiments where you set it up, then it takes an hour and a half to run.” After a pause, he added, “It's excruciatingly time intensive.”

While his experiments were running, Colin wandered over to the music building next door. “There were some practise rooms, so I got a key to that and started, saying, “Well, I was terrible at technique when I was younger, so I'm just going to drill all my Hanon and get good at that.”

After rebuilding his piano technique, Colin set his sights on a bigger challenge: learning and memorizing Frédéric Chopin's first Ballade, no easy feat to tackle on his own. “I'll be very clear here – it was terrible musically,” he said. “Looking back, yes, there were lots of things wrong with this, but I was very happy with it. It just shows that I could go for it.”

Colin Edie on Piano Lessons as an Adult Student

Colin didn't return to piano lessons immediately after graduating. An avid athlete and former captain of his high school football team opted to pursue sports first. “With a friend, I did judo for a year,” he said. “On a couple of challenges, I did an Olympic triathlon and I did a marathon.”

However, Colin soon felt drawn to the piano once again. “I had been fooling around a little bit. I had wanted to get back into it.” He borrowed his parents' upright piano and in 2009, started looking into piano instruction. His previous teacher, Joan Bell, recommended her colleague Allen Reiser.

“Little did I know that she matched me up with one of the best teachers of the province,” Colin said. Allen is sought after as a piano instructor, clinician, adjudicator and pianist. Many of Allen's students have won medals on their music examinations, at festivals and piano competitions.

Colin appreciates Allen's focus on proper piano technique.“It's very apparent, even with the very young children that he's into focusing on hand motions and technique from the very beginning, he said.

“He just blows my mind away in his musicianship, he added. “The thing that killed me is that I'm playing my piece that I've practised for so much and then he's like, “Oh play it like this,” and he plays it, and all these things throughout the piece – perfectly, flawlessly.”

Colin Edie on the Honens ProAm Competition

The Honens ProAm is a competition turned fundraiser to raise funds for the Honens International Piano Competition. Colin attended the first Honens ProAm back in 2008.

“I had been dating this girl for two weeks,” he recalled. “The ProAm is pretty much sold out and it's like two months away, so it's like, “Should I buy tickets, should I not?” I bought tickets and that girl turned out to be my wife.”

Watching that piano competition inspired him to get back into piano lessons. “It was in the back of my mind, that a couple of them were playing Grade 10 repertoire that I had played way back,” he said.

In 2010 when Honens began searching for pianists to participate in the 2011 Honens ProAm, Colin didn't hesitate. “I volunteered, straight up,” he said.

The ball got rolling in the summer of 2011. Each participant was responsible for raising $5,000. Honens worked with the pianists to organize a series of home and corporate performances that the four participants performed in. In addition, Honens staff made an appeal for corporate and individual donations.

“Honens was fantastic with it,” said Colin.“They lined up twice as many of the big individual donors. People who just wrote $5,000, $10,000 cheques, which was very impressive to me.”

“Individually, I got $8,000, that was from friends and family,” he said. One-quarter of that amount came from five friends who donated $400 each if Colin would wear his unorthodox suit when he performed at the ProAm. “With all the Honens donors, the total on my site was over $20,000. I consider that a resounding success.”

Colin really enjoyed programming his own home concert for family and friends. “I completely didn't do the format that you're supposed to do,” he said. “It was five minutes about each piece, talking about the history of it, things I think about, what I'm trying to bring out and then play the piece.” It was a hit. “People were very interested, so it turned into another 15 – 20 minute question and answer about my musicality, how did I get into music, what do I think about, all those types of things.”

Colin Edie on David Dixon, 2011 Honens ProAm Champion

Colin has a tremendous amount of respect for this year's ProAm Winner, David Dixon. “He's definitely the most musical of us,” he said. “Just the pure accompanying that he does. He's very much into jazz as well. I don't think I ever heard him play a wrong note.”

He is pleased with the jury's decision. “I absolutely think it was best that he got the weekend in Banff for training as a musician because he's going to use it the most.”

Colin Edie's Observations About Studying Music

Colin has noticed several changes since resuming piano lessons. The first is that giving work presentations has gotten easier. “I always tell this to lots of people at work is that I consider performance music ten times more difficult than any kind of presentation,” Colin said.

Another observation he's noticed is increased mental acuity. “I never thought I had lost it, but I found I was getting mentally sharper again,” he commented.

Colin Edie on Future Plans

“I try to balance myself with personal and professional goals,” said Colin. “After I do my ARCT, I will probably will think about doing some kind of program or degree related to work. Everybody toys with doing an MBA as an engineer. It might be a CFA or CMA or something like Project Management Professional which comes up a lot in the industry. “ With a smile, he added, “And of course, trying to fit in as much as possible before children because that's going to come up pretty soon.”

That isn't to say that Colin will stop playing the piano. “When I was younger and someone was playing really well, and really bringing out the music, there's just something really special and magical about it,” he recalled. “Usually, those are in home settings, not in a concert setting.” He wants to continue playing in small, intimate settings. “I like to play the Christmas music at Christmastime. I like to play something that someone else finds fascinating.”

Source

Personal Communication with Colin Edie, October 29, 2011.

Photos were taken by Boon Ong Photography. Photo permission was granted by Honens.

Originally published on Suite101.com on December 1, 2011. Updated July 13, 2013.

An Interview With 2011 Honens ProAm Champion David Dixon

When I was a Contributing Writer for Suite101, I had this opportunity to speak with David Dixon, the winner of the 2011 Honens Piano Competition for Amateurs. A reservoir engineer for Nexen Inc., David immerses himself in music after hours. This talented pianist discussed his musical studies, the Honens ProAm, jazz music, composing and life lessons gained from music.

I also interviewed Linda Kundert-Stoll, David's piano teacher, via email. Linda shared her thoughts about David's musical development and talent.

Photos were taken by Boon Ong Photography. Photo permission was granted by Honens.

David Dixon on Music Lessons and Musical Influences

“I was diddling around on the piano before I had any official lessons,” David said. Formal piano lessons began at the age of eight, under the tutelage of his mother.

When he was approximately 10 years old, David's mother began teaching him intermediate-level repertoire. “She said, 'Well, he's in Grade 5 in school, so I'll try and teach him a Grade 5 piano piece',” David reflected. “She bought the Grade 5 RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) books and taught me a few pieces.”

David quickly progressed to more challenging repertoire. “She taught me Für Elise. I learned that in a weekend,” he said. “I learned that pretty quickly, so I just kept on going with it.”

Perhaps another contributing factor to David's rapid development were the ingenious challenges his parents gave him when began studying piano. “My dad said that if I could learn the middle movement of the Pathetique Sonata, he'd pay me a hundred dollars.” With a chuckle, he added, “Now that's some encouragement there!”

After a brief hiatus from lessons, David resumed his piano studies as a teenager. He studied with Calgary-based instructors Dr. Peter Jancewicz, Dr. Lana Henchell and Mila Brandman. For the past three years, David has been studying piano with Linda Kundert-Stoll.

David Dixon on the Honens ProAm Competition

David first became involved with the Honens ProAm in 2008, when he was declared the alternate competitor in the event of a competition withdrawal. “I got to play in a bunch of the events and enjoyed it,” he recalled. When event organizers asked David whether he would like to participate in the 2011 Honens ProAm, he eagerly agreed.

David drew from pieces he prepared for his associateship through the Royal Conservatory of Music. “I did my ARCT back in August, so I already had the repertoire learned,” David said. “I already had them at a high level so I thought I might as well keep on playing them.” For his Honens recital programme, David performed Claude Debussy's La Danse de puck and Frédéric Chopin's Scherzo in E major, op. 54, no. 4.

The Honens ProAm is a fundraiser for the Honens International Piano Competition. It is named after philanthropist Esther Honens.

David Dixon on Life Lessons Learned from Music

There are numerous life lessons that David Dixon has learned through his musical studies. “Obviously discipline,” he said. After a few moment's thought, he added, “Appreciating subtleties and nuances of music...attention to detail.”

David is quick to admit that learning music has helped him enjoy music all the more. Music lessons help him “understand it enough to better appreciate it.”

David Dixon on Jazz Music and Creative Music

“I've always improvised at the piano,” David said. “That's what drew me to it [jazz] – being able to be more creative.”

David has also composed music for piano and small chamber music ensembles. “It's just a different way to express yourself,” he remarked.

David Dixon on Musical Outlets

David is involved with several musical projects. He plays in a jazz big band called Southern Stardust and accompanies the One Accord Choir. “That's a good outlet,” he said.

David also performs in several smaller music ensembles in Calgary. “I like the smaller groups,” David admitted. “You get a bit more freedom, a little bit more soloing space and communicating a little bit more dynamically.”

As the 2011 Honens ProAm Champion, David gained another musical outlet. His performance earned him a weekend residency at the Banff Centre.

Piano Instructor Linda Kundert-Stoll on David Dixon

In August 2011, David Dixon successfully completed his ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. David earned First Class Honours with Distinction.

“He played several ARCT programs while he was working to complete his theory,” commented Linda Kundert-Stoll. “From a playing level, he could have taken his ARCT earlier, but we thought it best that he finish the theory first.”

As a teacher, Linda couldn't be any happier. “I have enjoyed having him in my class immensely,” she said. “He is a huge talent: great ears, excellent facility, he learns fast and he has a great memory.”

Just how good is David? “He has what it takes to be a professional musician, should he choose to go that route,” added Linda.

David Dixon's employer can rest easy. For now, David is quite content to stick with his day job. He is even contemplating working on his MBA.

Musically, he's open to new challenges. “I'm just trying to figure out what to do next.”

Originally published on Suite101.com on November 9, 2011.

Honens ProAm Piano Competition for Amateurs 2011 Review

This unique piano competition held Saturday, October 15, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta raised over $100,000 for the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition.

Four amateur pianists went head-to-head on Saturday, October 15, 2011, 7:30 p.m. at Theatre Junction GRAND at this unique music competition. Nearly every seat was full when Daniel Yang, Andrew Hoffmanns, Colin Edie and David Dixon performed their solo recitals.

Amateur Musicians Perform for a Good Cause at Honens ProAm

The Honens ProAm Piano Competition is the brainchild of Calgary-based philanthropist Jenny Belzberg. This unique event is a fundraiser for the Honens International Piano Competition. The first year the ProAm was held was in 2008.

This music competition is open to recreational pianists who play at a high-calibre. In other words, all competitors must have careers outside of music. Each of these amateur musicians performed a 15-minute recital from memory.

In addition to their recital preparations, they strove to raise a minimum of $25,000 each. Prior to the event, they collected pledges from family, friends, employers, colleagues and music aficionados.

The competitors were judged by three music experts: Bob Clark, Charles Foreman and Mélanie Léonard. Clark is a performing arts writer for the Calgary Herald. Foreman, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Calgary, has performed around the world as a solo pianist and chamber musician. Maestra Léonard is currently the resident conductor for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Honens International Piano Competition Searches for the "Complete Artist"

Out of the many prestigious piano competitions throughout the world, the Honens is unparalleled in two areas. First, competitors must perform solo and chamber recital programmes in addition to a movement of a piano concerto. Jurors are tasked with finding the “complete artist”.

Secondly, Honens Laureates participate in an extensive artistic and career development program. This is above and beyond the prize money they receive. Some of the benefits include assistance in booking engagements, recording CD's and developing press kits.

The Honens was the brainchild of the late Esther Honens. She was a Calgary-based philanthropist who endowed $5 million dollars in 1991 to launch an international piano competition in Calgary.

All proceeds from the Honens ProAm goes towards the Seventh Honens International Piano Competition. The next Honens will take place in Calgary from October 17 to 26, 2012.

ProAm Competition 2011 Contenders Deliver Four Exciting Performances

The 2011 ProAm got off to a colourful and romantic start with Daniel “Marathon Man” Yang's performance. Yang, sporting a purple tux, opened with Prelude in b-flat minor, op. 28, no. 4 by Polish composer Fréderic Chopin. He then delivered a sensitive interpretation of Edvard Grieg's Notturno. This was followed by another popular Chopin piece, Nocturne in E-flat Major, op. 9, no. 2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's “Rondo alla Turca” from his Sonata no. 11 in A Major, K. 331 rounded out the programme.

Yang is a Reservoir Specialist for Canadian Natural Resources and the CEO of Borealis Geopower. He holds a Ph.D. In Natural Sciences and studies with Calgary-based piano instructor Ann Davidson.

The second ProAm contender, Andrew “Dutchie” Hoffmanns, hails from the Netherlands. He moved to Calgary last year and works as a financial analyst for Shell Canada Limited. He studies piano with pianist, teacher and clinician Gabriella Jonas of Calgary.

Hoffmans performed two contrasting works which showcased his warm, rich tone. He began with Sergei Rachmaninov's Prelude in c-sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. He concluded his programme with selections from Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) by Robert Schumann.

Colin “Jock” Edie drew loud cheers when he strode confidently on stage in his light grey-blue tux and matching hat. That confidence rang through throughout his entire recital programme, in which he demonstrated a strong tone, good phrasing and balance.

He first performed “Allegro moderato” from Sonata in E-flat Major, No. 62 Hob. XVI52 by Franz Joseph Haydn. This was followed by La Cathédral engloutie by Claude Debussy. For his final work, Edie performed Chopin's Revolutionary Etude.

Edie works for Encana Corporation as a Petroleum Engineer. He has his Grade 10 certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music and studies with Allen Reiser, a Calgary-based piano teacher, writer, performer, adjudicator and clinician.

The evening drove towards a dramatic climax with David “Big Band” Dixon's performance. This jazz fan performed two challenging works: La Danse de Puck by Impressionist composer Claude Debussy and Frederic Chopin's Scherzo in E Major, op. 54, no. 4.

Dixon, a Reservoir Engineer at Nexen Inc., displayed a strong command of the piano. His technique was solid, while his phrasing and dynamics were well balanced. He elicited a standing ovation from the audience.

David recently earned his ARCT Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He studies with pianist, teacher, adjudicator and clinician Linda Kundert-Stoll in Calgary.

Honens ProAm Competition 2011 Declared a Resounding Success

The fundraising goal for this year's Honens ProAm was $100,000, which as exceeded. This year's Top Fundraiser Award went to Daniel Yang, who raised $43,000.

The audience was concurred with the event's jurors. David Dixon was declared the Audience Choice Prize winner and the 2011 Honens ProAm Champion. He won a gift certificate to the seafood restaurant Catch, the entire Honens CD library and a weekend residency at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts.

The 2011 Honens ProAm Competition for Amateurs was held at Theatre Junction GRAND on Saturday, October 15, 2011. With four dynamic performances delivered to nearly a full-house and the fundraising goal surpassed, this original fundraiser for the 2012 Honens International Piano Competition is a resounding success.

Originally published on Suite101.com on October 18, 2011. Updated May 13, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.