Dane Ko Piano Masterclass
May 24, 2026 | Dec 5, 2026
1:45 PM - 5:30 PM
About The Clinician
Hong Kong-born Canadian pianist Dane Ko is active as recitalist, chamber musician and
educator on international stages. Highlights in the 2024-25 season included recital tours to
Montreal, Toronto, Hong Kong, Macau, where he gave masterclasses and workshops at
The University of Hong Kong, University of Macau, and the University of Toronto. The 2025-
26 season includes debuts at Montreal International Bach Festival, Chapelle Historique du
Bon-Pasteur, DOMS Ottawa, Algoma Conservatory Concerts in Sault Ste. Marie, and Ver
Sacrum Festival in Italy. Named a 2026 Gilmore Festival Fellow, Dane will appear at the
Gilmore International Piano Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigian.
As soloist, Dane has performed in France, Austria, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Canada and
the US in such venues as the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, Koerner Hall of The Royal
Conservatory, Le Château de Fontainebleau and Palazzo Chigi Saracini. Among Dane’s
growing accolades are prizes at Prix Ravel in Fontainebleau, The Shean Piano Competition,
The Glenn Gould School Chamber Music Competition, and the Canadian Music
Competition “Stepping Stone”. Dane has given interviews and performances on Florida’s
Classical WSMR, Hong Kong’s RTHK Radio 4, and CBC Radio One.
A dedicated and sought-after music educator, Dane serves as an instructor of piano at
McGill University and is invited for lectures and masterclasses worldwide. Dane adjudicated
the 2025 OMFA Provincial Finals and served as a member of the inaugural Junior Jury of
the 2024 Montreal International Piano Competition (CMIM). Dane is also award-winning
research scholar passionate about investigating the intersections of culture, psychology and
physiology. He has received repeated invitations to guest lecture on mental practice
strategies for pianists at institutions such as University of Toronto’s Graduate Piano
Pedagogy Seminar, University of Hong Kong Advanced Performance Seminar, Wilfred
Laurier University Faculty of Music among others. From 2024-27, Dane is a recipient of the
Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award from the Social Science and Humanities
Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) for his research on the pedagogical legacy of his
late teacher, Marietta Orlov.
Dane’s training spans Europe, Asia and North America at such academies as Chigiana,
Mozarteum, Fontainebleau, Banff, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, ISA of mdw with Lilya
Zilberstein, Robert Levin, Klaus Hellwig, Jan Jiracek von Arnim, John Perry, Eric Le Sage
among numerous others. In Canada, he is particularly grateful to his primary teachers
Marietta Orlov, Anna Fomina, Lydia Wong and Ilya Poletaev. Dane holds a Bachelor of
Music in piano performance, an Advanced Certificate in Performance, a Master of Music in
Piano Pedagogy from the University of Toronto and an Artist Diploma from The Glenn Gould
School of The Royal Conservatory. Currently based in Montreal, Dane is a Doctor of Music
candidate and instructor of piano at McGill University Schulich School of Music.
For more about Dane, please visit www.dane-ko.com
Masterclass Sessions
Sunday May 24, 2026
Elementary (RCM Level 5 and under) - 1:45-3pm
- 5 participants, 15 minutes each
- recommended age - 11 and under
Intermediate - Advanced (RCM Level 6-ARCT) - 3:30-5:30pm
- 3 participants, 40 minutes each
- recommended age - 12 - 18*
5:30pm - Informal reception and Q&A session will follow the masterclasses
Saturday December 5, 2026
Amateur Adults (all levels) - 1-3pm
- 3 participants, 40 minutes each
Intermediate - Advanced (RCM Level 6-ARCT) - 3:30-5:30pm
- 3 participants, 40 minutes each
- recommended age - 12 - 18*
5:30pm - Informal reception and Q&A session will follow the masterclasses
*Interested applicants outside of the recommended age are encouraged to inquire about participating in the masterclasses. Please email dane.ko@outlook.com
Auditors and Audience are welcome to register to attend the masterclasses, reception and Q&A.
Please register for the correct session. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25. All donations go to support emerging artists and future programming at the Academy.