The Ihnatowycz Piano Program

Motivated by a strong desire to help emerging young musicians reach their full potential, Royal Conservatory alumni Mr. Ian Ihnatowycz and Dr. Marta Witer made a transformational gift in 2013 to name The Ihnatowycz Piano Program. Thanks to Mr. Ihnatowycz and Dr. Witer’s extraordinary investment, The Glenn Gould School (GGS) has become an international destination for high-level piano studies.

The Ihnatowycz Piano Program includes The Ihnatowycz Chair in Piano and The Ihnatowycz Prize in Piano. The inaugural Ihnatowycz Chair in Piano was held by legendary pianist Leon Fleisher (1928-2020), who represented the highest standard of musicianship and brought tremendous pedagogical insight to students and faculty alike. This tradition continues with the 2023 announcement of internationally acclaimed pianist, Jeremy Denk, as The Ihnatowycz Chair in Piano at The Glenn Gould School.

The prestigious Ihnatowycz Prize in Piano — the single largest award of its kind at GGS — is given to a piano student with exceptional potential. This young artist receives full-tuition and living support for the duration of their studies, eliminating the financial burden associated with advanced music studies, and giving them valuable opportunities to develop their skills and artistry, including a solo appearance with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra. The current recipient is Henry From (BMus '26) and past recipients include Jan Lisiecki, internationally renowned performer and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist; Rossina Grieco, the longest-standing and sole female recipient to-date of The Ihnatowycz Prize in Piano; and Sae Yoon Chon, First Prize winner at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition whose debut performance at Carnegie Hall received rave reviews.

Mr. Ihnatowycz and Dr. Witer’s generosity also benefits GGS students in other disciplines. Nine Ihnatowycz Emerging Artist Scholarships provide full-tuition support to the top students across all disciplines, enabling them to focus on their training and career preparation. Many past scholarship recipients have found professional success as performers in leading ensembles and orchestras.

Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Ihnatowycz and Dr. Witer, students in The Ihnatowycz Piano Program also have access to the latest teaching and learning technology through the Peter Simon Legacy Piano, a Spirio Steinway. This innovative instrument allows students to record their performances and listen critically as the piano plays back their own work with remarkable precision. In addition to this self-assessment feature, the Spirio can play high-quality recordings of renowned artists. In certain circumstances, it can even be connected to a live performance on another Spirio instrument in a different location, allowing students to experience real-time master performances. Ongoing software development ensures limitless pedagogical opportunities, making the Spirio a vital component of students’ artistic growth and performance training.

The Royal Conservatory is deeply grateful to Mr. Ihnatowycz and Dr. Witer for their tremendous generosity and ongoing commitment. Their contributions have enhanced The Glenn Gould School’s mission to nurture the next generation of great artists, ultimately fostering a more creative society for the benefit of all Canadians.

Watch Head Piano Technician, Damon Groves, Restore a “Golden Age” Mason & Hamlin