Spencer was awarded the Belle Shenkman Award for Performing Arts 2024 – 2025.
Named by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation in 2020 as one of Canada’s 30 top classical musicians under 30, pianist Spencer Klymyshyn is known for his beautiful and nuanced sound. Born in Ottawa, Spencer has won numerous awards and recognition in national competitions. Spencer has performed in Canada, Europe, and the UK, and as a soloist on tour with the Symphony New Brunswick.
Spencer is a scholarship student at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London working with Ronan O’Hora, Martin Roscoe and Charles Owen in pursuit of his Artist Diploma. He completed his Artist Masters in Performance with Distinction and a Concert Recital Diploma. He is a graduate of the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, where he completed his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with Distinction, studying with Dr Ilya Poletaev.
In March 2024, Spencer represented the Americas at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey (live on BBC One, BBC World and BBC YouTube), performing in the presence of senior members of the Royal Family, commonwealth diplomats and politicians, and a congregation of more than 2,000. In February 2024, Spencer was heard on BBC Radio 3 performing a UK premiere in the BBC Symphony Orchestra Total Immersion Day showcasing the works of Missy Mazzoli. In 2023, Spencer was a semi-finalist in the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) competition and was selected to compete in the Overseas Awards where he was the winner of a special award and scholarship for an Outstanding Canadian Musician. In addition, Spencer was the grand award winner of the Romantic Piano Prize at the Guildhall School.
In April 2022, Spencer completed a tour with the Symphony New Brunswick performing the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 in Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton under the baton of Holly Mathieson. He is inspired by the many exceptional musicians that call Canada home and is determined to continue to interact with the music community in his home country.
Spencer has participated in master classes with many internationally renowned musicians such as Dame Imogen Cooper, Richard Goode, André Laplante, John Perry and Hie-Yon Choi. He also had the pleasure of working with Boris Berman, Robert McDonald, Jacques Rouvier, Boris Slutsky, Anton Nel and more. As a chamber musician and collaborative pianist Spencer has enjoyed working with coaches Julius Drake, Ralph de Souza (Endellion Quartet), Michael McMahon, Ralph Gothoni, Carole Presland, Matthew Jones, Marie-Ève Scarfone, and Maestro Alexis Hauser.
Spencer is grateful for the ongoing support of the CCSF. During his time as an Artist Diploma student, he intends to participate in larger competitions and festivals in pursuit of a career in solo and collaborative performance. Upon graduation, Spencer plans to pursue a Doctorate in performance with the end goal of teaching at a university or conservatoire while maintaining a performing career. He strives to continue to develop his tools and relationships to become a respected representative of Canadian musicians to the world.
