About
Toronto-born pianist, Naomi Wong, is emerging as a compelling musical orator whose sincere and thoughtful artistry places human connection at the forefront of her performances.
Recipient of the Hnatyshyn Foundation’s Developing Artist Grant, awarded to promising young Canadian artists, Naomi is active as both a solo and concerto performer. She made her concerto debut in 2017 with the North York Concert Orchestra and has collaborated in recent years with the York Symphony Orchestra, University of Toronto Campus Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, among others. In the solo realm, Naomi cherishes the opportunity to interact with and introduce lesser-known repertoire to her audiences. She has appeared in various concert series throughout Toronto, including the Nine Sparrow Arts Foundation Lunchtime Chamber series, the Arts & Letters Club in Toronto, and the Fridays at Noon Series at St. Andrew’s Church. As the winner of the 2023 Betty Dickinson Competition at the Texas State International Piano Festival, she will present solo recitals at Steinway Hall in New York City, the Blanco Performing Arts Series, and the Austin Steinway Gallery this season.
Passionate about her community, Naomi enjoys presenting outreach concerts at hospitals, retirement centers, and long-term care homes. During the pandemic, she worked with the Creative Connection Initiative and Freiheit Care Inc. to use music to connect isolated individuals in homes throughout Canada.
Naomi has been extremely privileged to have learned from many inspiring pianists and pedagogues in a variety of settings. She began her piano studies at age six and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Piano Performance with a full gradute assistantship in Keyboard Studies at the Peabody Institute. She is greatly indebted to her current teacher, HieYon Choi, as well as her former teachers: Steven Philcox and Dr. Enrico Elisi at the University of Toronto, Ken Marple at the University Settlement Music & Arts School, and Rachel Yu, all of whom have inspired her passion for music and have guided her to discover her artistic voice. In recent summers, she has also participated in festivals throughout North America and Europe, where she has worked with artists such as Michelle Cann, Jerome Lowenthal, Benedetto Lupo, John O’Conor and Boris Slutsky.
Her transformative experience with her current and past mentors has inspired her to work with younger students as a private piano teacher. She endeavours to help all students, regardless of their natural musical aptitude, connect to music on a human level.
(November 2023)
PC: Danielle Sum