Anna Vavilova

Latvian – Canadian pianist Anna Vavilova, recipient of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Top 25 Music Alumni Award, is the director and founder of the World of Music and Arts academy. She is also the recipient of Vancouver Foundation and the BC Arts Council Scholarships, as well as the finalist of Pacific Spotlight Competition on CBC Radio Two. Dr. Vavilova is an Artistic Director of WMA Concert Society, Co-Director of The International Mark Rothko Competition of Young Performers of Modern Music. Dr. Anna Vavilova is a distinguished RCM Certified piano teacher across Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels. Her exemplary qualifications extend to certification in teaching beginner and intermediate theory through RCM. Dr. Vavilova holds membership in both the BCRMTA (BC Registered Music Teachers Association) and CFMTA (Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association), underscoring her esteemed standing in the music education community. Anna Vavilova was raised in a musical and cultural environment of teachers, composers and performing artists in the direct lineage of Chopin. While pursuing her M.Mus. degree in University of BC, her teacher Henri-Paul Sicsic was a grand disciple of Alfred Cortot, one of the most prominent musicians of the 20th century. Cortot himself was a grand pupil of Frédéric Chopin. Among other distinguished teachers were prof. Kum Sing Lee, Dr. Sara Davis – Buechner (UBC) and Dr. Eugene Skovorodnikov (UBC). During her university years Ms. Vavilova took masterclasses from world renowned musicians: V. Monastyrski (Israel), Aquiles Delle Vigne (Argentina), Martha Noguera (Argentina) and attended piano summer festivals in the US, France and Russia. In 2002 Anna appeared with the Vancouver Island Symphony (Marlin Wolfe, conductor). In 2005 Anna Vavilova was a finalist at the Pacific Spotlight Competition on CBC Radio Two, and has been awarded the Vancouver Foundation Scholarship (2005) and the BC Arts Council Scholarship (2006) to continue her graduate studies. In 2021 Anna Vavilova received her Ph. D. candidacy from MSU, Russia. While pursuing her graduate degree, Ms. Vavilova became closely involved with the local community. At first, Anna was invited to contribute monthly articles on varies music topics in the local newspaper “Vancouver and Us”. Soon she was invited by Multicultural Radio, Vera 96.5 FM, to host a weekly radio show called “Music Detective”. This show focused on Anna’s thoughts and observations on current musical trends and seasonal local and global occasions. Throughout all of her years in Canada, Dr. Anna Vavilova has been continuously performing solo and chamber music collaborating with international and local musicians: Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet, Bo Peng (cello), Lee Duckles (cello), Alvin Tran (violin) and Dr. Eugene Skovorodnikov (piano). Among the most beloved performance venues are: Abbaye de Pontlevoy (France), Chan Centre (Vancouver), VAG (Vancouver), Silk Purse (West Vancouver), World of Music and Arts (Richmond), KPU (Langley), Port Theatre (Nanaimo) and many others. In September 2009, Dr. Vavilova established the “World of Music & Arts” academy, presentlin a cornerstone for music instruction known for its unwavering excellence. Recognized as “Best Teacher” by Richmond Review readers from 2011 to 2014 consecutively, Dr. Vavilova’s reputation as an accomplished pianist and adjudicator led to her invitation to join the faculty of the Tsar’s Village International Music Festival and competition in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2012. That same year, she launched the inaugural season of “Concerts at the Pier” at World of Music and Arts, featuring a piano recital by American-Italian pianist Paolo Vairo. Presently, World of Music and Arts hosts a faculty of 25 teachers and serves 500 students, solidifying its status as the premier and most coveted music school for K-12 education in Richmond, BC. Possessing a great skill in working with young and already accomplished performers, Anna is also a beloved and highly sought after piano teacher and mentor. Her students not only rank highly in local and international festivals and competitions, but also learn to work hard and follow their career dreams. Currently Dr. Vavilova resides in Richmond with her husband Joe and doggy Masha.