Karen Quinton
Encyclopedia
Karen Quinton is a Toronto-based Canadian pianist
, organist
, harpsichord
ist and music educator. She has performed as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in Canada, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
. She has given recital tours throughout North America and Europe and has made numerous appearances on CBC Radio
and CBC Television
. Ms. Quinton was the head of the Keyboard Department at The Royal Conservatory of Music from 2000 to 2006 and is the organist at Centennial Japanese United Church in Toronto.
Quinton studied privately with Andreas Barban and earned the Trinity College Performers' Associate Diploma before entering the McGill University Faculty of Music, where she obtained a Bachelor of Music
in piano performance and a post-graduate Concert Diploma. Concurrently she studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal also with Lubka Kolessa, where she earned a Concours de Piano and a Concours de Dictée Musicale, both with highest distinction.
After winning the Prix d'Europe
in 1972, Karen Quinton pursued graduate piano studies with Tatiana Nikolaieva at the Moscow Conservatory
from 1973-1975, and in London England with Katharina Wolpe, 1979- 81. She also spent one summer studying at the Salzburg Mozarteum. She was one of the founding faculty members of the School of Music at Memorial University.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
ist and music educator. She has performed as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in Canada, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra in Hamilton, Ontario.It was founded in 1949.Starting in 1969, under the leadership of Boris Brott, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra changed from an amateur ensemble to a professional orchestra. Brott raised the profile of the orchestra with...
. She has given recital tours throughout North America and Europe and has made numerous appearances on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
and CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
. Ms. Quinton was the head of the Keyboard Department at The Royal Conservatory of Music from 2000 to 2006 and is the organist at Centennial Japanese United Church in Toronto.
Quinton studied privately with Andreas Barban and earned the Trinity College Performers' Associate Diploma before entering the McGill University Faculty of Music, where she obtained a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in piano performance and a post-graduate Concert Diploma. Concurrently she studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal also with Lubka Kolessa, where she earned a Concours de Piano and a Concours de Dictée Musicale, both with highest distinction.
After winning the Prix d'Europe
Prix d'Europe
The Prix d'Europe is a prestigious Canadian study grant that is funded by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles du Québec of the Government of Quebec. Established in 1911, the award has been distributed annually to a single individual through competition with the exception of 1960-1973 and 2009...
in 1972, Karen Quinton pursued graduate piano studies with Tatiana Nikolaieva at the Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
from 1973-1975, and in London England with Katharina Wolpe, 1979- 81. She also spent one summer studying at the Salzburg Mozarteum. She was one of the founding faculty members of the School of Music at Memorial University.