Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: Canada’s Latest Piano Star

Canadian pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko’s name has rapidly risen to prominence in the classical music world in the last few years. He was named one of CBC’s ”30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30” in 2021. In 2022, he won first prize at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, first prize at the Maria Canals International Music Competition, as well as first prize and gold medal at the 20th Santander International Piano Competition. In 2023, he spent the year performing in renowned halls all over the world. And this year, his victories at the 2024 Montreal International Music Competition in May and, most recently, the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition in September have cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young musicians of his generation.

Izik-Dzurko’s artistic journey began at an early age, nurtured by his family’s deep involvement in music. His father, a piano teacher, was his first instructor and played a significant role in shaping Jaeden’s early development as a musician. “He definitely started me on the path of music,” the pianist recalls. Both of his parents studied piano, and their shared passion for music helped foster their son’s love for the instrument. Izik-Dzurko subsequently studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Juilliard School and Corey Hamm at the University of British Columbia, and is now a student of Jacob Leuschner and Benedetto Lupo.

MIMC

His victory at the Montreal International Music Competition, where he took home more than $150,000, was a defining moment in his burgeoning career. Reflecting on this experience, he described the competition as both “intense and stressful,” but ultimately rewarding. “I’m a little relieved that it’s over,” he says, smiling. “But mostly, I’m just overjoyed.” He notes that besides the pressures of the competition, performing in front of an enthusiastic audience in a renowned venue was a highlight. “I’m very grateful that I’ll have the privilege to return to Montreal to perform in the near future,” he adds.

In the lead up to the Montreal competition, the British Columbia-born pianist prepared strategically. He places significant emphasis on live practise in order to get comfortable performing in front of an audience. “Nowadays, I’m fortunate to have a lot of performance opportunities, and that’s really the most important thing to prepare for: being in front of an audience and doing your very best in the moment,” Izik-Dzurko explains. His focus goes beyond refining technical abilities to build the mental resilience required to excel in such high-pressure settings.

Competitors in Montreal must navigate four rounds of performance. In addition to performing concertos and a solo program, Izik-Dzurko was also required to prepare a contemporary commissioned work. “All the competitors had to prepare a commissioned work, and that was definitely a challenge to balance with my other obligations,” he admits. One of the standout moments in Montreal was his decision to perform the commissioned work entirely from memory, a feat that clearly impressed both the audience and jury. “I felt that performing it from memory allowed me to engage more fully with the piece,” he says. This dedication and focus were key factors in his ultimate success at the competition.

His repertoire choices reflect his deep affinity for Russian composers, particularly Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin. His performances of these composers’ works have become a defining aspect of his artistic identity. In Montreal, his interpretation of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Sonata No. 1, a notoriously difficult piece, was a competition highlight. The sonata demands both technical brilliance and an emotional depth that few pianists can fully achieve, but Izik-Dzurko delivered it with both power and sensitivity.

The pianist credits his passion for Russian music to his mentor, Corey Hamm, who introduced him to this repertoire early in his studies. “What appeals to me most about the early 20th-century Russian composers is the convergence of brilliant musical minds and incredibly capable virtuoso pianists. Their writing is both imaginative and musically compelling, but also wonderful to play on the instrument.”

Leeds

After his win in Montreal, Izik-Dzurko turned his attention to preparing for the Leeds International Piano Competition in September. Leeds is one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world, and known for helping to launch the careers of many internationally renowned pianists. Izik-Dzurko’s victory at Leeds, just a few months after Montreal, marked a major milestone in his career. As the first-prize winner, he received £30,000 and the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal, plus a series of concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a debut at Wigmore Hall, and recital tours across the UK and internationally.

The Leeds competition is structured similarly to Montreal’s, with four rounds designed to test a pianist’s technical and interpretative abilities. Reflecting on his win, Izik-Dzurko says he was “deeply honoured” to be named the winner of such a prestigious event and emphasized how much the competition pushed him to explore new dimensions of his artistry. “It’s such an incredible experience to be able to perform on this platform, and to be recognized in this way is truly humbling,” he said in an interview after his win.

One of the highlights of his journey through the Leeds competition was his performance of Maurice Ravel’s Miroirs in the second round. His interpretation was widely praised for its sensitivity to Ravel’s use of tone colour, as well as his ability to shape the elusive and impressionistic qualities of the music. Critics also lauded his nuanced handling of the cycle’s contrasting moods. His delicate touch in pieces like “Noctuelles” and “Oiseaux tristes” transported listeners into the dreamlike world Ravel envisioned, while his rhythmic precision and technical brilliance in “Alborada del gracioso” demonstrated his versatility. “Ravel demands a certain kind of lightness in touch and depth in interpretation, and Jaeden brought both to his performance,” remarked one critic. This ability to navigate between different emotional worlds in Miroirs showcased Izik-Dzurko’s remarkable musical maturity.

In the final round of Leeds, he performed Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a monumental work that places immense technical and interpretative demands on the pianist, and which he also performed at MIMC.

Approach

Reflecting on his approach to competition, Izik-Dzurko emphasizes that his focus is always on the music itself, rather than the outcome. “The mindset that I try to keep during all competitions is to treat them like musical performances,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s really about the music, not the ranking or the prizes, or even necessarily the jury’s opinion of you. It’s about sharing your love of music and your conception of these works.”

This philosophy allowed him to remain calm and focused in both Montreal and Leeds, where the pressure to perform at the highest level was intense. “I try to focus on what the music is saying and to connect with the audience, rather than letting myself get overwhelmed by the competition setting,” he says.

As a result of his rapid rise to prominence, Izik-Dzurko is quick to acknowledge the challenge of balancing the demands of his career with other aspects of life. “I tend to be a little bit monomaniacal in my focus on practise, and sometimes my life lacks a bit of balance as a result,” he admits. The demands of practising, travelling, and performing can make it difficult to maintain a sense of equilibrium.

As a young artist, he is passionate about promoting classical music to new audiences, particularly younger listeners. He recognizes the barriers that classical music faces in reaching younger generations, but he believes that education is key to overcoming those obstacles. “There’s a slight barrier to entry in terms of understanding classical music: the forms, the intent behind the compositions. Education plays a crucial role in helping young people appreciate and connect with it,” he says.

With his recent Montreal and Leeds victories, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko is poised for a remarkable career. But he still recognizes the need to continually develop his art: “I still have a long way to go in improving my performance skills and technical proficiency, and I hope to continue working towards bettering myself as an artist.”