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Elaine Keillor

Elaine Keillor, C.M.

I have extensive experience having taught private music lessons, and various theoretical subjects for over 60 years in a studio setting and as an university professor. At the same time I have continued to be a performer most actively as a pianist and chamber musician , performing across North America, in Europe, Asia , and Australia. Having first performed with an orchestra at the age of ten on the CBC, I have a repertoire of over 40 piano concertos and solo repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to current compositions. To date over 30 recordings, many being first performances of Canadian compositions, have been released. There are many performances now available on YouTube including a DOMS recital performed in 2025 of compositions by Indigenous composers. At the same time my training as an ethnomusicologist led to the production of several books including "Music in Canada: Capturing Landscape and Diversity", a biography of John Weinzweig, and the "Encyclopedia of Native American Music of North America." Numerous publications plus leading the teams that produced websites such as "Indigenous Drums" and "Indigenous Dance" led to recognition as a member of the Order of Canada (2016) and Outstanding Woman of Ottawa (2025). In addition to performing, and writing, Keillor has been an examiner/adjudicator across Canada, and continues to frequently give masterclasses.

Instrument / Discipline

  • History
  • Piano
  • Piano Pedagogy
  • Rudiments
  • Theory

Spoken languages

  • English

Specialized in

  • Youth (7-17)
  • Adults (18+)
  • Young Children (under 7)
  • Beginner/Elementary
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Teaches At

  • Music school
  • Online
  • Teacher's home
  • Teacher's studio

Specialist designation

  • Piano - Advanced
  • Piano - Elementary
  • Piano - Intermediate
  • Theory - Elementary
  • Theory - Intermediate

Credentials

  • 2016 - Hon. Mus. Doc. - Carleton University
  • 1976 - PhD - University of Toronto
  • 1971 - MA - University of Toronto
  • 1951 - ARCT - Royal Conservatory of Music

School Associations

  • Canadian Music Centre - National
  • Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association - National
  • Coalition for Music Education in Canada - National
  • Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association - Provincial / State