Eric Nyland, pianist

Biography

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A pianist, professional actor, and music teacher, Eric holds Associate and Licentiate Piano Performance Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta. He is a Registered Music Teacher with RCM Advanced Teacher Specialization, is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association and is the facilitator for the piano program at Cassa Musical Arts.

Eric’s major acting and piano performance mentors include Linda Kundert, Dr. Thomas Peacock, Dr. Lillian Upright, and James DeFelice. He has also studied with Joseph Fridman, Dr. Irena Kofman, Allen Reiser, and Derek Chiu. He has performed masterclasses with Dr. Ludmilla Lazar, Dr. Jennifer Snow, Roman Rabinovich, and Dr. Jacques Despres.

He has performed throughout Canada as an actor and pianist, performing through the National Music Centre’s Street Sounds series and the Pro Arts Society. In 2015, Eric appeared as soloist in Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto for the inaugural concert of the Calgary Arts Orchestra.  He is the 2013 winner of the Jack Friedenberg Memorial Scholarship for pianists.

Eric has served as the musical director for the long-form theatre improvisation duo One Lions, as well as serving as accompanist for instrumentalists and singers, and is an active festival adjudicator in high demand.

Eric has developed two courses for Mount Royal University: Introductory Keyboard for Adults: Play-by-Ear/Improvisation, and Reading Standard Notation

In 2015 Eric was a nominee for Outstanding Actor in a Play for the Calgary Theatre Critics’ Awards for his work in the world premiere of Butcher by Governor-General Award-winning playwright Nicolas Billon. In 2016 Eric served as a lead actor, pianist, and composer for Station Arts Centre's production of Armin Wiebe's The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz.

View Eric’s detailed Resume here.

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Reviews

“If you need reliability and someone who exceeds expectations on every task given, this person is a great actor, is an excellent pianist, and is an inspiring piano teacher. He is an honourable member of the Cassa Musical Arts Board of Directors as Treasurer and Web Master. Eric Nyland is outstanding! Thank you, Eric.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Linda Kundert, BMus, MMus (Piano Performance), CFMTA Hugheen Ferguson Teacher of Distinction Award, RCM Teacher of Distinction (2016), President and Artistic Director, Cassa Musical Arts

“Eric is an inventive, sensitive teacher who balances high standards with a shrewd understanding of the varying needs and interests of his students. For an advanced adult student like me, he is an excellent mentor and coach. He knows how to help his students tackle the challenges of performance; and he never lets us forget what's most important: the music we are learning to play. Thanks, Eric, for never pretending that playing the piano is easy, and for always reminding us why it's important.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Anne McWhir (B.Mus. piano 2018)

 “I highly recommend Eric! He is extremely talented, professional, and accommodating. My wedding day would not have been as magical without Eric. His music created the perfect ambiance for our ceremony and cocktail hour. Eric beyond exceeded our expectations and we cannot thank him enough for making our wedding day that much more special for us.” 5 stars, Google Review

-M Zdravko

“Eric Nyland is a positive and motivating adjudicator with a deft understanding of how to communicate with students in an encouraging way. He has a solid understanding of sound production on the piano and has great tips to help developing students improve their finger technique. Eric adjudicated our most recent Calgary Piano Pedagogy Group festival in Feb 2018, and we would gladly invite him again in the future.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Calgary Piano Pedagogy Group

“Eric is a gifted accompanist and integral member of my award-winning improv troupe One Lions. We never know what the show will be, and neither does Eric, but he always brings flexibility, feeling, and a deft touch to his improvised scores. With his intuitive accompaniment, Eric connects disparate themes, creates high art, and punctuates low comedy.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Stephen Kent, BFA (Acting)

"Eric Nyland is a gifted piano teacher who always offers excellent guidance that goes far beyond playing piano. His love of music is evident, his enthusiasm contagious, and he provides the ideal amount of firmness and encouragement to motivate my son. I recommend Eric unreservedly." 5 stars

-Elena Nasim

"I began my studies with Eric when I was 15 years old with little background in classical piano as I am a popular music singer and keyboardist. Eric showed me ways to incorporate classical studies into my popular music and join the two together. He helped me move from Level 1 RCM piano to Level 6 in just four years. The summer before entering university I asked him to help me with classical music theory. I was able to finish my music theory class in university with a 90 average all thanks to Eric for preparing me so well. He has a great passion for classical music and teaching and I would recommend him without hesitation. I will keep returning to him for the rest of my classical studies because he has taught me self-discipline with practicing, patience with the progression of my learning and he has taught me to love the journey of learning and studying classical music." 4.5 stars

-Paulina Zuczek (June 30, 2016)

“I am delighted to have found a wonderful piano teacher for my son who has found in Eric a mentor - he looks forward to lessons each week. He has taken off in his enthusiasm and now practices diligently and so enjoys his learning. Eric brings the perfect balance of developing strong relationships with his students, clear and engaging explanations and a high level of playing and professional abilities as a teacher, mentor and pianist. My son loves playing now and really benefits from the comprehensive approach to learning, with ear and reading, playing techniques with classical understanding of tone and touch, as well as creativity and improvisation through chording to pop tunes. He loves playing his 'classical' pieces and chording to a favourite song. Thank you Eric!” 5 stars

-Angela Frankowski ARCT ATCL RMT BSc (Hons) BEd (June 15th, 2016)

“Eric is an excellent piano teacher for our daughter. Even though he is a busy composer and actor he is very patient and encouraging with his students. Eric encourages performance by having the students participate in at least two recitals (on an amazing concert piano) per year. Eric reaches beyond the technical aspects of learning piano, helping the student achieve more than simply playing the correct notes. I like that he is very performant during the lessons, often he will sing along with the student as they play the piano, and use video recording of himself playing portions of the music so the student can review at home how the teacher plays the piece. He provides historical context for the music and interesting anecdotes about particular note combinations that are humorous and fun, and he stays positive and moves the lesson forward even when the student has a week where they do not practice much.” 5 stars

-Daryl Coutts Calgary (June 14th, 2016)

“Now that 2014-2015 is officially ended for your studio, I should tell you that one of my best decisions of last year was to sign up for piano classes with you. I really appreciate your patience and encouragements. It feels amazing to have music and piano back in my life.” 4.5 stars

-Nafiseh Dadgostar Phd PEng Calgary (May 21st, 2015)