Introducing Karen Quinton, Chair, Community School Keyboard Department

Karen Quinton completed her undergraduate study and post graduate Concert Diploma at McGill University with European Concert pianist Lubka Kolessa, and concurrently attended the Conservatoire de Musique du Quebec a Montreal, graduating with highest distinction. After winning the (Quebec government) Prix d'Europe keyboard competition, she was chosen as the first Canadian musician to study in Moscow under the new Canada/URSS exchange.

During her two years at the Moscow Conservatory with Tatiana Nikolaeiva, Ms. Quinton was one of two Canadian participants in the Tchaikovsky International Competition, and arrived home to great interest in her artistic abilities. After several successful Canadian and European tours, she decided to live and study in London, England, and remained there for four years.

Karen Quinton has played in ten countries both as soloist and chamber muscian, frequently performed concertos with Canadian symphony orchestras, and has broadcast widely for the CBC on both television and radio. She has toured the major capitals of Europe as well as several provinces of Canada, and was a participant in a set of CBC recordings dedicated to the piano works of Harry Somers. Ms. Quinton is currently head of the Keyboard Department at The Royal Conservatory of Music Community School, organist and choir director of Martingrove Baptist Church, and a founding member of the Toronto Arts Trio.

Quotations from published reviews include the following:
"Constantly awakened sensitivity....an astoundingly refined touch"(La Marseillaise); "Form with a lustrous tonal quality...music should be beautiful and always comprehensible. This is an apt description of the playing of Karen Quinton." (Daily Telegraph, London, England) .

To contact Karen Quinton. please telephone The Royal Conservatory: 416 -408-2824; extension 719.