2024 Adjudicators

Though he finds it hard to believe, Jamie Syer is marking more than 50 years as a professional pianist, having debuted at Calgary's Pleiades Theatre in 1971. Dr. Syer completed his graduate degrees at the Yale University School of Music as a student of Claude Frank and Ward Davenny. He has taught at universities and colleges in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and New Brunswick. Jamie maintains a website jamiesyer.ca where he shares what he knows — and what he's still learning — about teaching and playing piano.

Jamie Syer was Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music until 2012. He also served as Head of the Conservatory's Keyboard Department, and taught at the School of Music, University of Victoria. As a lecturer for UVic's Faculty of Continuing Education, he led two arts related travel tours to France. Jamie is the founder of the Victoria Conservatory's Young Artists Collegium program, which continues to offer an enriched curriculum for talented young singers, pianists and other instrumentalists. He has performed many times in Europe: in Scotland, Ireland, Hungary, France, and England; as well as closer to home in recital venues across Canada.

Dr. Syer is known for his imaginative recital programming, and his artistic, energetic playing in both the solo and chamber music repertoire. He is a popular adjudicator and workshop clinician, who enjoys working with teachers' groups and with students of all ages.

Jamie is a keen aficionado of musical theatre. He was Music Director for a production of Matilda and many other shows, and has composed an original musical, Camp Spartan, which premiered in February 2023. In 2024, he will be Music Director for a production of Anne of Green Gables. Beyond music Jamie was Manager of his local public library for six years, and he enjoys the craft of letterpress printing.