Biography of James Parker

In solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts across Europe, the United States and Canada, Jamie Parker reveals technical prowess alongside subtle artistry. Celebrated by critics, he has performed with every major Canadian orchestra, and has given recitals across North America. Command performances for dignitaries and diplomats have taken him to the Canada House in London, the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Canadian Consulate in Chicago.

Jamie's achieved coast-to-coast prominence with his first-place win of the 1984 Eckhardt - Gramatte National Music Competition, and the Canadian recital tour that followed. He has continued to capture major prizes, including CBC Radio's 25th National Competition for Young Performers, the Juilliard Concerto Competition, and the Virginia P. Moore Award as the most promising young classical artist in Canada. In addition, he is the recipient of scholarships, awards and grants from The Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and The Juilliard School of Music. He was appointed to the music faculty of Wilfrid Laurier University in 1997.

A frequent guest on both radio and television, Mr. Parker has performed on Bravo!, the CanWest Global Network, MuchMusic and New York City's premier FM stereo classical music station, WNCN. In 1992, he was the subject of a documentary on CBC television's acclaimed programmes 'Adrienne Clarkson Presents' and Sunday Arts Entertainment. He continues to be a mainstay of both local and national CBC Radio broadcasts.

Before enrolling in music studies at the University of British Columbia and the Banff School, Mr. Parker trained in his home town of Vancouver, with the renowned pianist Lee Kum-Sing. He earned master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees from The Juilliard School in New York, where he studied under the legendary pedagogue Adele Marcus.