Steven Philcox is a renowned Canadian pianist and vocal coach, known for his exceptional skills in accompanying singers and instrumentalists. Born in Toronto, Canada, on August 22, 1971, Philcox showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a piano teacher and his father a choral conductor. Philcox received his formal music education at the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance in 1994. He continued his studies at the University of British Columbia, where he completed a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano in 1996. During his time at UBC, Philcox was awarded the prestigious Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship, which allowed him to study in Vienna, Austria, with renowned pianist and vocal coach Helmut Deutsch. After completing his studies, Philcox began his career as a vocal coach and accompanist, working with some of the most prominent singers and instrumentalists in Canada and around the world. He has collaborated with artists such as soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, tenor Ben Heppner, and baritone Russell Braun, among many others. Philcox has also been a frequent guest artist at major music festivals and concert series, including the Toronto Summer Music Festival, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, and the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival. He has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Wigmore Hall in London, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. One of Philcox's most notable collaborations was with Canadian soprano Erin Wall, with whom he performed a critically acclaimed recital at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago in 2017. The performance was praised by the Chicago Tribune as "a masterclass in the art of song," and Philcox's playing was described as "sensitive, nuanced, and virtuosic." In addition to his work as a performer, Philcox is also a highly respected vocal coach and teacher. He has been on the faculty of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music since 2001, where he teaches collaborative piano and vocal coaching. He has also been a guest teacher and coach at numerous institutions, including the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Vancouver International Song Institute, and the Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio. Philcox has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2003, he was awarded the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts, which recognizes outstanding young Canadian musicians. In 2011, he was awarded the M. Joan Chalmers National Music Award, which recognizes excellence in Canadian chamber music. Philcox's recordings have also received critical acclaim. His recording of Schumann's Dichterliebe with baritone Tyler Duncan was named one of the top classical recordings of 2016 by the New York Times. His recording of songs by Canadian composer John Greer with soprano Suzie LeBlanc was also highly praised, with the Globe and Mail calling it "a triumph of artistry and scholarship." In addition to his work as a performer and teacher, Philcox is also a dedicated advocate for the arts. He has served on the board of directors of the Canadian Art Song Project and the Canadian Music Centre, and has been a member of the advisory committee for the Glenn Gould Foundation's Protégé Program.

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