Ronald Blais was born on May 12, 1985, in Montreal, Canada. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Blais showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Blais received his formal music education at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where he studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and pedagogue Marc Durand. During his time at the conservatory, Blais won numerous awards and competitions, including the prestigious Prix d'Europe in 2008. After completing his studies, Blais began performing extensively throughout Canada and the United States, quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. He made his debut with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 2010, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 to critical acclaim. Blais's career continued to flourish in the following years, with highlights including performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He also made his European debut in 2013, performing at the prestigious Verbier Festival in Switzerland. In addition to his work as a soloist, Blais is also an accomplished chamber musician, having collaborated with some of the world's leading instrumentalists and ensembles. He has performed at major chamber music festivals such as the Marlboro Music Festival and the Seattle Chamber Music Society. Blais's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works from the Baroque era to the present day. He has a particular affinity for the music of Beethoven, having performed all of the composer's piano sonatas in a series of recitals in 2015. Blais's recordings have received widespread critical acclaim, with his debut album, featuring works by Schumann and Janáček, being named one of the best classical recordings of 2012 by The New York Times. He has since released several more albums, including a recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Blais is also a dedicated teacher, having taught at the University of British Columbia and the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. He is known for his passionate and insightful approach to teaching, and many of his students have gone on to successful careers as performers and teachers themselves. Blais has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award. He was also named one of CBC's "30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30" in 2013. Despite his many accomplishments, Blais remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and teach, always striving to deepen his understanding of the music he loves and to share that passion with others.

More....