Pianist and composer Dr. Robert Best teaches piano, composition, improvisation and theory. In his early years as a pianist, he was a regular winner in various festivals such as the Kiwanis Music Festival, Canadian Music Competition and the Toronto East Festival. Robert’s interests broadened from classical music into jazz, progressive rock, and popular music in the latter half of his high school years. He maintained a passionate interest in classical piano, studying at the main Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto with concert pianists John Coveart, Leslie Kinton and James Anagnason. While attending the RCM, he studied theory with William G. Andrews and pedagogy with Earle Moss. He completed his A.R.C.T. diploma in piano performance with first class honours (1981).
In 1987, he moved to Vancouver where he began studies at the University of British Columbia. Completing an undergrad degree in Composition (1994). he later returned to UBC to finish a Master of Music degree in piano performance (2005) studying with Dr. Eugene Skovorodnikov. Between these two degrees, he has formed and collaborated on projects involving classical and world music genres, jazz and alternative pop music. At this time, private instruction in piano, theory and composition were given. In 1998, Best formed a South African/jazz fusion ensemble he named World Jive. Composing all of the music and arrangements for this project, he also produced a recording entitled “Motsoala (Cousin)” (2000) that was featured on CBC’s “Hot Air” jazz radio show and Cal Koat’s 96.1FM “Crossing Cultures” (1998-2000). World Jive performed in several festivals, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the PNE, the Mission Folk Festival, the Harrison Festival of Arts, and several other BC venues and festivals.
Returning to his hometown of Toronto in 2006, Robert completed doctoral studies in Composition at the University of Toronto. At this time, he was hired for group and individual music instruction for Yamaha Music Toronto. Robert graduated with a Doctorate in Music degree (2014) under the supervision of composer Alexander Rapoport.
Robert has studied piano with a number of renowned concert pianists. In Toronto, this included instruction from George McElroy, John Coveart, John Kruspe, Leslie Kinton, and James Anagnason. While studying at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, he was able to take masterclasses with concert pianists Pierre Souverain, Karl Ulrich Schnabel and Eugene List. In British Columbia, he received lessons and masterclasses from Douglas Finch, Eugene Skovorodnikov, David Vanderyck, Ellen and Bob Silverman, Jane Coop, and Bob Rogers.
Robert studied composition with many well-known Canadian composers. In British Columbia, these teachers include Stephen Chatman, Eugene Wilson, Rodney Sharman, Douglas Finch and Keith Hamel. In Toronto, he studied with Alexander Rapoport, Christos Hatzis, Chan Ka Nin, Russell Hartenberger and R. Murray Schafer. Robert enjoys an ongoing friendship with internationally celebrated composer Christopher Norton.
Presently, Robert is back in British Columbia and teaches private lessons in piano performance, composition, theory and improvisation. His compositions include several pieces for piano, works for choir, percussion ensemble, electronic music, soundtracks, guitar, orchestra, and various chamber instrumental works. He is composing two musicals presently and enjoys composing in a variety of genres and instrumentation. His composition “Suite in G for Guitar” is included in the 2013 RCM A.R.C.T. guitar syllabus. He welcomes all of his students to discover the many wonderful experiences that come from learning, composing and performing music.