Paul Dykstra

Paul Dykstra has been a performing artist in North America for over 35 years. Musically nurtured and trained in Canada in Edmonton, and at the University of Alberta with Helmut Brauss, his subsequent ventures took him to Northern BC and Alberta, and then to the US. American performance credits include recording with clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, performances of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with Abendmusik Philharmonic in 2016, and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 with the Great Bay Philharmonic in 2018. He was also a finalist in the American Prize Concerto Competition in 2017. Other concerto collaborations have included Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto with the Prince George Symphony and Mozart’s Concerto for two pianos with the Granite State Symphony in New Hampshire. Paul has frequently participated in chamber music collaborations with renowned New England artists and in many solo concerts in Canada and the United States.

Paul was a finalist in the American Prize Concerto Competition 2017. He has toured with NYC Living Arts Company in performances of Gershwin’s “ Porgy and Bess “ in the US and Trinidad and played keyboards for the disco band Tavares’ reunion in Atlantic City. Other endeavors of note include his engagement as Musical Director for the opera “Grace” by Roger Rudenstein in Boston. Recently relocated to his native Canada in 2020, he now resides in Kelowna and continues an active musical career which includes performing, mentoring, teaching, arranging, and musical collaborations of all types. Paul is on the Faculty of the Kelowna Community Music School, and is a member of the College of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory. He has been and continues to be, active as a Festival Adjudicator throughout North America.