Rea Beaumont

Dr. Rea Beaumont (RAY-ah BO-mont) is an internationally recognized pianist and composer, known for her powerful performances, innovative concert programs, and finely crafted works.  Recipient of the SOCAN Foundation/MusCan Award of Excellence for the Advancement of Research in Canadian Music, Beaumont has premiered many works in collaboration with renowned composers such as R. Murray Schafer, in addition to her own compositions that are reviewed as having "compositional prowess" (The WholeNote, Toronto).  

Her recordings have been chosen ‘Album of the Week’ (CBC), 'Top 5' (The New Classical FM), and streamed over 200,000 times. They often highlight important global social issues to initiate change.  Her CD A Shrinking Planet was one of the first albums to highlight the influence of globalization in new music. Creating a Landscape explores the ways in which composers and performers impact our environment. A Conversation Piece features her most popular piano composition “Shattered Ice” that protests against environmental destruction in the Canadian Arctic.  Most recently, Awaken celebrates our post-COVID emergence and features leading violinist Christopher Verrette.

With degrees from the University of Toronto and University of British Columbia, Beaumont pursued additional studies at the Eastman School of Music, The Banff Centre, Royal Conservatory, and Le Centre d'Arts Orford.  She trained in piano with leading pedagogues Anton Kuerti, Robert Silverman, Robert G. Rogers, Menahem Pressler, and Marek Jablonski.  Her composition instructors included Phil Nimmons, Edward Laufer, Gustav Ciamaga, and Dr. Samuel Dolin.

Beaumont's many publications include podcasts, articles, lectures, and her book Composer Barbara Pentland: The Music and the Message that was a finalist for an international award.  Previously a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, Beaumont is Faculty at the University of Toronto. She also has a private studio of advanced students, including several that have won competitions, where she helps students fulful their artistic potential.