Wanda Procyshyn was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on August 15, 1939, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her parents were both immigrants from Ukraine, and they instilled in her a love for music from a young age. Wanda's father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist, so it was only natural that she would follow in their footsteps. Wanda began her musical education at the age of five, studying piano with her mother. She showed great promise from the start, and by the time she was a teenager, she was already performing in public. In 1957, she won the prestigious Winnipeg Music Festival, which gave her the opportunity to perform with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. After completing her high school education, Wanda went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, she studied under the renowned pianist Rosina Lhévinne, who was known for her strict teaching methods. Despite the challenges, Wanda thrived under Lhévinne's tutelage and graduated with honors in 1962. After completing her studies, Wanda embarked on a successful career as a concert pianist. She performed extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, earning critical acclaim for her virtuosic performances. She was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. One of the highlights of Wanda's career was her performance at the 1966 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. She was the first Canadian pianist to compete in the prestigious event, and she made it to the final round, where she performed Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. Although she did not win the competition, her performance was widely praised, and she became a household name in Canada. Throughout her career, Wanda received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of music. In 1972, she was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. She was also inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1991, and she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manitoba in 1995. Despite her success, Wanda remained humble and dedicated to her craft. She continued to perform and teach throughout her life, inspiring countless young musicians to follow in her footsteps. She passed away on December 23, 2018, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of musicians to come.

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