Pianists Henri-Paul Sicsic and Thomas Otten participate in teaching exchange

Henri-Paul Sicsic, a professor of music at the University of Toronto, and UNC professor Thomas Otten worked as colleagues for many years and are teaming up again this fall for a teaching exchange.

Both pianists studied with renowned piano professor John Perry, although they attended different universities. Sicsic met Perry during his time at Rice University, and Otten worked with him at the University of Southern California.

Sicsic will perform in a solo piano concert at 8 p.m. tonight at Hill Hall Auditorium. Additionally, he will teach a masterclass for piano students at 3 p.m. Saturday, also in Hill Hall.

Just as Sicsic is traveling to UNC to give a masterclass and recital, Otten will travel to Toronto in November to give a recital and masterclass for the students in Sicsic’s studio.

“We were both interested in doing this kind of exchange,” Otten said.

Otten has been planning to bring Sicsic to UNC to work with piano students from his and UNC professor Mayron Tsong’s piano studios since last year.

“We only have a couple of guest artists each year, so from that stance it is selective,” Otten said. “But it is exciting to have someone from out of the country, Canada, coming to perform.”

Otten and Sicsic said they hope that the students will benefit greatly from both the recital and the masterclass.

“It’s really wonderful for the students to hear a wonderful artist and teacher give a masterclass and recital, both of which are very instructive for upcoming pianists,” Otten said.

For his debut concert on UNC’s campus, Sicsic will be performing works by various well-known composers.

The first half of the concert will be devoted solely to works by Frederic Chopin, in honor of the composer’s upcoming 200th birthday. The second half of the concert will feature works by composers such as Maurice Ravel and Isaac Albeniz.

As a distinguished pianist with a background in both performance and education, Sicsic has extensive experience that he can share with students.

During the masterclass, five students will perform, and Sicsic will provide comments and critiques.

“I respond to what happens,” Sicsic said. “I work with them in a way that can be helpful from a performance standpoint.”

Both professors said they are excited about the upcoming exchange and look forward to being able to teach their expertise to young pianists.

“It should be an exciting experience for me and, I hope, for the students performing in the masterclass,” Sicsic said.



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