Classical pianist Sylvia Shadick is known for her diverse talents. As both a soloist and chamber musician, her emotionally-charged performances have been enjoyed throughout Canada and the US, including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, as well as in concerts in Europe and Asia. As a teacher, she has an active studio with many of her students receiving special recognition in music festivals and examinations. Her love of teaching also carries into frequent work as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Canada. Ms. Shadick is also in demand as a collaborative pianist where she adeptly spans opera classics to demanding contemporary concert repertoire. Through her virtuosic pianism and interpretive skills, Sylvia’s performances are known to transform music into captivating storytelling. Broadcasts of her performances have been heard on CBC and CKUA Radio. 

Sylvia’s main musical passion is the exploration and promotion of works by Canadian composers. This passion was recognized by the Canadian Music Centre honouring her with the title, Ambassador of Canadian Music, in 2009. Sylvia’s fifth CD, Expressions, was nominated for the Edmonton Music Prize in 2015 and is a sampling of works by composers associated with New Music Edmonton. Her subsequent CD, Piano NorthWest features music of the Winnipeg composer William Pura and was released on the prestigious CentreDiscs Label in 2015. Through recordings and concerts, Sylvia hopes to bring wider attention to the rich creative skills of Canadian composers. Canadian composer, Sid Robinovich, hailed her premiere performance at the 2010 Winnipeg New Music Festival as “The performance of a lifetime!”

Over the past four decades, Sylvia has built a respected name in the Edmonton classical music scene. She has worked for the University of Alberta, Edmonton Opera, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Pro Coro Canada, Edmonton Winds, the Cosmopolitan Music Society and is Past Chair of the Contemporary Showcase Edmonton Society. Summing up Sylvia’s contribution to Edmonton, John Charles of the Edmonton Sun said, “pianists … such as Sylvia Shadick … who shine and inspire, especially in contemporary music … help make Edmonton a city of cultural champions."

Originally from London Ontario, Sherry is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.  She has performed with orchestras and in musical theatre throughout Canada, and toured internationally as a featured singer in Riverdance – The Show.  Sherry also performed with the Broadway company of Riverdance, at the Gershwin Theatre for more than a year. 

Sherry has been teaching piano and voice for more than twenty years, most recently at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University, and currently at the University of Alberta. 

Rachel Stelnicki is a dedicated piano teacher and accompanist based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. With a strong foundation in music, she holds an ARCT Performance Diploma and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Alberta. Rachel’s musical journey began in British Columbia under the tutelage of Carol Stromberg, where she excelled in numerous local, provincial, and national piano festivals as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2005, she received the prestigious Tom Cuff Award for outstanding performance of a Canadian composition. She continued studying with Jamie Syer and Janet Scott-Hoyt in University at both UVIC and U of A and has had the privilege of accompanying numerous soloists, the University of Victoria wind orchestra, UVIC Chamber singers, U of A Madrigal singers, Edmonton’s Accord Ensemble and currently The Nottingham Choirs.

Married to her husband Nathan, they are proud parents of four young children. Rachel is actively engaged in volunteer opportunities through her church and community, teaching private piano lessons and raising her busy family. She also enjoys biking in Edmonton's beautiful river valley, her favorite treat is anything with chocolate and she loves listening to all genres of music.