THOMAS YU
2016 CLIBURN AMATEUR FIRST-PRIZE WINNER
HIGHLIGHTS FROM HIS CLIBURN AMATEUR APPEARANCE (ORIGINALLY BROADCAST JUNE 2016)

PROGRAM:
MCINTYRE BUTTERFLIES AND BOBCATS
DURAND PRELUDE NO. 1
DEBUSSY REFLETS DANS L’EAU
CHOPIN SCHERZO NO. 3 IN C-SHARP MINOR, OP. 39
SCHUMANN-LISZT WIDMUNG

ABOUT THOMAS:

Thomas Yu is one of the most recognized amateur pianists in the world, maintaining a performance schedule across five continents while also running a private periodontal practice, teaching at the Foothills Medical Hospital, and giving lectures across Canada. His passion for music was influenced by two private teachers and mentors: he grew up studying with Bonnie Nicholson in Saskatoon, and later with Marc Durand, when he moved to Toronto for post-graduate periodontal training. Even as he pursued another professional path, he remained dedicated to music, entering the amateur world by sweeping the Paris International Competition for Outstanding Amateurs in 2006. He capped off a run of the major international amateur competitions over the next decade with his Cliburn Amateur appearance in 2016, bringing home the first, press, and audience prizes. He’s taking advantage of his time at home in Calgary, taking turns with his wife running after two toddlers and recording rock covers for his popular YouTube channel.