Biography

Regarded as one of Vancouver’s most respected piano teachers, Dr. Carla Dodek has taught piano since 1983 with extensive experience teaching all levels and ages. She has held positions at Rice University and at Houston Community College and is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) School of Music as well as teaches independently in Vancouver, BC. Dr. Dodek shares her expertise as lecturer in recital, as adjudicator and clinician, and in master classes teaching both students and teachers. She is also highly regarded for her work (since 2005) as a mentor to the Student Teachers’ Auxiliary of the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association.

Carla received her musical training in Canada, the USA, England and France with renowned teachers Robin Wood, Gyorgy Sebok, Guy Jonson, Artur Balsam, John Perry and Vlado Perlemuter. She holds Bachelor of Music (UVic), Master of Music (Manhattan School of Music), and Doctor of Musical Arts (Rice University) degrees as well as the Licentiateship from the Royal Academy of Music (UK) and the Associateship from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), all in piano performance.

Her diverse interests include the French School, the physiological and psychological involvement in performance, the relationship between visual art and music, and performing and coaching both solo and chamber music of all periods.


Awards and Scholarships include

    • University of Victoria Concerto Competition winner in two consecutive years for piano and for duo piano

    • First Prize Winner of Mu Phi Epsilon Northwest Young Artist Competition

    • Burt Duke Raiza Prize from Rice University

    • Teaching Assistantship at Rice University

    • Travel Award to study in Paris from Rice University

    • Esther and Rebecca Lazarus Piano Award

    • Barbara Custance Trophy

    • Elizabeth Bentley Eastern Star Scholarship

    • Masonic Lodge Bursary

    • Victoria Community Arts Council Award

    • Vancouver Foundation Award

    • Four grants from the BC Cultural Foundation

    • Four scholarships from the Banff Centre of Fine Arts, including full tuition to the Artists Winter Programme

    • Scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival

    • Scholarchip to Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill, Maine

    • Two Canada Council Grants, one of which made it possible to study with the renowned Vlado Perlemuter, a contemporary and disciple of Ravel. This resulted in her doctoral thesis entitled, “Miroirs d’apres Perlemuter”, a study of the French School of Piano Technique which includes an annotated edition of Ravel's Miroirs according to Perlemuter.