A Peek into Pierrot: Jack Olszewski, piano

Canadian pianist Jack Olszewski is a solo and collaborative pianist that has performed throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. He holds multiple degrees in piano performance from McGill University, and most recently graduated with an Artist Diploma in collaborative piano where he studied with Michael McMahon. Mr. Olszewski is an alumni of the Orford Music Festival, The Banff Centre, Opera NUOVA, the Franz-Schubert-Institut, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and the St. Andrews Opera Workshop. He has been the recipient of funding from the Edmonton Community Foundation, the Anne Burrows Music Foundation, the Williamson Foundation for Music, and the Art Song Foundation of Canada.

Are you originally from Montreal? If not what brought you here?

I was born in Edmonton, Alberta and moved to Montreal in 2009 to do a Bachelor of Music degree at McGill University.

Do you come from a musical family?

Not at all. However, both of my parents are music lovers and there was always music playing in the house growing up.

Where in the world would you like to play but haven't yet?

Although I can think of many cities and concert venues around the world that I’d love to be able to perform in, I would really like to travel and play in parts of the world where classical music is rarely heard or performed.

Is there a particular composition or composer that is a favorite of yours?

Chopin always has a special place in my heart. Aside from that, anything with the human voice.

Have you always wanted to play your chosen instrument?

I started playing the piano when I was 6 and never looked back! Do you have a guilty-pleasure pop song?

Too many to name. If it makes me want to get up and move, I’ll probably enjoy it.

Musicians can be creatures of habit, do you have any rituals or superstitions surrounding a performance?

I don’t have a specific routine. I think it’s important to relax and to trust in the work you and your colleagues have put in. All you can do after that is go on stage and enjoy the moment.

Come meet Jack and the rest of Pierrot team at La Sala Rossa (4848 blvd Saint-Laurent) on December 10th. Tickets are $10 at the door or you can get yours now by clicking here. Purchasing your tickets online gets you a 10 % discount and group rates are available as well!