
Described as an “immensely exciting performer” with “scintillating technique” (Barrie Examiner), pianist Benjamin Smith has performed across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. He has been a laureate of numerous competitions, including the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition and the CMC Stepping Stone Competition. Appearances as soloist include the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble, Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra, Ontario Philharmonic, Orchestra London, and Burlington Symphony, with repertoire including rarities such as the Schoenberg and Schnittke piano concertos. American performances include recitals for the Texas Chopin Society and Chicago’s Landowska Harpsichord Society, as well as two concerts in Carnegie Hall. 2025 saw the release of two new albums on the Orchid Classics label, one with cellist Daniel Hamin Go, and one with oboist Ari Cohen Mann.
Devoted to chamber music, Ben has been heard nationally on CBC Music, as well as classical radio around the world. He has partnered in recital with a myriad of world-renowned artists, along with ensembles such as the Penderecki, Cecilia, and Annex string quartets. For two seasons he performed as one-third of the Israelievitch-Smith-Ahn piano trio, and currently plays as a member of the Andromeda trio.
Dr. Smith serves on the faculties of both the Glenn Gould School (GGS) and the Taylor Young Artist Academy at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto. Along with a DMA from Stony Brook University, he holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto, an Artist Diploma from GGS, and a Masters from Juilliard.
St. James-Rosemount United Church
171 Sherwood Ave.
Kitchener, ON N2B 1K2
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| Time | Name | Titles | Home Festival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time:10:00 AM | Name:Alpine String Quartet | Titles: String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, op. 18, 1st mvt. by Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in A Minor, op. 13, no. 2, 1st mvt. by Felix Mendelssohn | Home Festival:Toronto |
| Time:10:25 AM | Name:Golden Bows Quartet | Titles: String Quartet in D minor, op. 76, no. 2 ("Fifths"), 1st mvt. Allegro by Franz Joseph Haydn Merry-Go-Round of Life, Howl's Moving Castle by Joe Hisaishi | Home Festival:North York Live |
| Time:10:45 AM | Name:Laurier Academy of Music and Arts Intermediate Piano Trio | Titles: Trio in E flat Major, WoO38, 1st mvt. by Ludwig van Beethoven Trio in D minor, op. 11, 2nd and 3rd mvts. by Fanny Mendelssohn | Home Festival:Kitchener-Waterloo |
| Time:11:05 AM | Name:CASTYO String Quartet | Titles: String Quartet No. 4 in C Minor, op. 18, 1st and 2nd mvts. by Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet No. 1 in E-Flat Major, op. 12, 2nd mvt. by Felix Mendelssohn | Home Festival:Toronto |
| Time:11:30 AM | Name:Trio Élan Aria | Titles: Piano Trio in G Minor, op. 15, I. Moderato assai by Bedřich Smetana Piano Trio No. 3 in C Minor, op. 1, II. Andante cantabile con Variazioni & IV. Finale prestissimo by Ludwig van Beethoven | Home Festival:Unionville |
| Time | Name | Titles | Home Festival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time:1:15 PM | Name:ASE Ensemble | Titles: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1, 1st mvt. by L. van Beethoven Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 24, 1st mvt. by Alois Ehrhardt | Home Festival:Kitchener-Waterloo |
| Time:1:35 PM | Name:ThreeSet: Lauren Browne, Caleb Liem & Ruby Tullio | Titles: Trio in E flat Major, op. 1, no. 1, Allegro and Adagio cantabile by Ludwig van Beethoven Trio in G major, Andante espressivo by Claude Debussy | Home Festival:Windsor-Essex |
Workshop will be held from 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
Announcement of winners will happen at the end of the workshop.