Professor Dr. Jani Parsons

Biography

Canadian pianist Jani Parsons is known for her warmth, brilliance, and versatility. She has established herself as an active soloist and chamber musician, serving as founding member and artistic director of Latitude 49 for a decade. She is the co-founder and co-director of the Sound Atlas Festival in Calgary, dedicated to contemporary music. Parsons joined the University of Calgary's faculty as a Professor of Piano and head of the piano program in 2021. Her educational philosophy emphasizes blending performance, pedagogy, and research to prepare students for fruitful careers in performing arts. She is an avid supporter of living composers, having worked with notable figures such as Steve Reich and John Zorn, and has premiered over eighty new works. Parsons is also recognized for her teaching, winning awards and presenting at national conferences. Her research includes a two-volume book on piano technique and repertoire co-authored with Dr. Christopher Madden, published in 2022. Additionally, she has performed across prestigious venues in North America and recorded numerous albums, including 9 professionally released recordings. Recently, she has been honored as an OVPR Rising Star at Baylor University for her potential in early career research development.

Research Interests

Courses