Catherine Donkin

piano

Catherine Donkin is an active piano teacher and performer in Ottawa.  She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree with Distinction from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Ottawa, both in Piano Performance.  Career highlights include a duet performance at Carnegie Hall after placing first in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, and another at the Grieg International Piano Competition, where she performed in the Duo Rideau piano duet.  She has also performed with orchestra at the University of Alberta, the University of Ottawa, and in a piano duet concerto written by Canadian composer Christine Donkin with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra.  Other groups Catherine has played in include the Ottawa Chamber Players and the Donkin Trépanier Piano Guitar Duet.

She currently performs with Gertrude Létourneau in a flute and piano ensemble called Duo Cecilia which focuses on French Romantic and Impressionist music.  She maintains a busy private teaching studio, with students of all ages and levels, and some students attaining recognition nationally and internationally.  Catherine is the current president of the Suzuki Association of Ottawa-Gatineau, was an Associate Faculty member (piano instructor) in Carleton University’s Music Department for many years, and is also a founding member of both the uOttawa Summer Music Academy’s piano course, and the Ottawa Piano Festival.  Catherine was the recipient of a City of Ottawa Arts Grant last year, which provided funding for her to record 20 of her sister’s (Christine Donkin’s) compositions.