Harry Xie, saxophone & amanda andrishak, Piano
Harry Xie, saxophone
Praised for his “beautiful and sensitive playing” (composer Lori Laitman), Harry Xie is a musician and educator dedicated to further advancing the saxophone in the field of classical music. He has received top prizes in the Canadian Music Competition, Vancouver Westcoast Music Society Bursary and Scholarship Competitions, the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals National Competition, and the Thomas C. Clark Young Artist Competition. His work has been supported with grants from the British Columbia Arts Council, University of Michigan EXCEL Enterprise Fund, and the Northwestern Ted and Cora Ginsberg Research Grant. Harry has been invited to present at the International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the United States Navy Band, numerous North American Saxophone Alliance regional conferences, and appeared on the recital series of the Vancouver Westcoast Music Society and the University of Windsor School of Music. Harry is particularly passionate about contemporary music and has had more than 20 works written for him and his chamber groups.
As an educator, Harry teaches saxophone and musicianship at the University of Calgary and chamber music at Mount Royal Conservatory. In addition, he served as guest instructor in the prestigious University of Michigan MPulse Saxophone Institute and has given masterclasses at Alma College, Aquinas College, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Saginaw Valley State University, Southwestern Michigan College, and the University of British Columbia. Harry regularly teaches private lessons to students of all ages and gives clinics to elementary and secondary school band programs.
Harry holds master’s degrees in saxophone performance and chamber music, as well as a certificate in arts entrepreneurship and leadership from the University of Michigan. He also holds bachelor’s degrees in saxophone performance and political science (with honors) from Northwestern University, where he was awarded the prize for top academic achievement in his class, and a Diploma in Music Performance at the University of British Columbia. Between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he worked full-time in management consulting at McKinsey and Company. Harry has studied with Tim McAllister, Taimur Sullivan, Julia Nolan, and Ken Radnofsky.
Amanda Andrishak, piano
Amanda Andrishak is an active collaborative pianist and educator in Vancouver. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University, where she studied under the tutelage of Professor Evelyne Brancart. Previously, Amanda has also pursued undergraduate studies in piano at the University of British Columbia, where she received her Bachelor of Music in 2020, studying with Dr. Terence Dawson. Upon graduating from UBC, Amanda was awarded the coveted Catherine-Cooke Topping Memorial Medal for musical excellence and creativity. She was a recipient of scholarships from the NSAL Piano Competition, Vancouver Westcoast Musical Society, and first place in the Alberta Provincial Music Festival. Further abroad, Amanda has pursued summer studies at the MusicFest Perugia, Mozarteum Sommerakademie in Salzburg, VSO Institute in Whistler, and Orford Musique. As an educator, she maintains a busy private studio and also teaches piano and violin at World of Music & Arts in Steveston.
This recital is generously sponsored by VWMS member Tony Roper.