Adjudicators

Gaye Alcott

Piano Adjudicator

Born into a musical family, Gaye Alcott's passion for music began at a very young age. Her parents were her first inspiration, her mother a singer and her father a pianist. Some of her earliest memories are of her father with her at the piano, guiding her hands between his on the keyboard. Ms. Alcott's formal training began at the age of three with Isabella Montgomery and later, Edward Parker and Barbara Custance. She continued her studies with Dr. Dale Reubart and Dr. Robert Rogers at the University of British Columbia. She has also worked with Menahem Pressler and Marek Jablonski at the Banff Centre, and Dr. Reginald Stewart in Santa Barbara, California. Gaye Alcott made her recital debut at the age of 12 and began performing extensively as a young teenager. She has appeared as soloist with several orchestras including L'Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, CBC Vancouver Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, with whom she made her orchestral debut at the age of 15. As a child Gaye Alcott was a prizewinner in numerous competitions, earning her ARCT diploma and receiving many scholarships and awards, including two B.C. cultural grants.

While raising her three children, Gaye Alcott continued to enjoy a rewarding career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Her performances have elicited enthusiastic reviews such as "poised and authoritative, immediately impressive for the clarity, bold assertion, expressive dynamic shading and brilliant tone she displayed" (Vancouver Sun), "Alcott amazes listeners with her power and dexterity" (Santa Barbara News-Press), "Glistening performance...a startling technique combined with intensity and warmth" (Kitchener-Waterloo record), "pyrotechnics of sound colour, breathtaking phrasing...kept listeners on the edge of their seats and left us all longing for more" (Salmon Arm Observer). Ms. Alcott has collaborated with many of North America's finest musicians and has performed in various festivals, including the Victoria International Festival, Hornby Festival, Banff Summer Arts Festival and Prince Albert Music Festival in Hawaii. She has been recorded frequently on CBC radio and appeared in the television documentary "Which Way to Carnegie Hall?" Ms. Alcott was a member of the Bachelor of Music faculty at Capilano University in North Vancouver for over fifteen years. In the year 2000, she accepted a teaching position at Kauai Community College in Hawaii. She opened a much-needed and appreciated private piano sutdio on the small island of Kauai.

After several years in the tropics Ms. Alcott found she was missing the active arts scene in Vancouver, as well as her family. She returned home and currently maintains a private studio in addition to teaching at Jean Lyons School of Music. Her students consistently achieve distinction and awards in competitions and examinations. Many have gone on to become successful teachers and performers. In addition to being a distinguished teacher, Gaye Alcott is a sought-after adjudicator who has worked on behalf of many piano competiions throughout BC. Her wide range of experiences as a concert pianist, young performer, competitor, parent and teacher have provided a rich background from which she approaches her work. Ms. Alcott's keen communication skills, kind manner, and sense of humour combine to make the competition environment a positive experience for the students.