Young Artist Tour
Every other year, the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association is pleased to present a province-wide concert tour featuring a talented, rising star! This gifted student is awarded this career-building opportunity by winning the ORMTA Provincial Young Artist Competition earlier that same year.
The Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association gratefully acknowledges CFMTA sponsorship of Young Artist Tours that take place on even-numbered years.
2026-2027 Tour
Congratulations to Daniel Thiessen, winner of the 2026 Young Artist Competition
Daniel Thiessen is a young Canadian pianist whose recent honors include winning the 2026 ORMTA Young Artist Competition, which will take him on a concert tour across Ontario.
Daniel began his piano studies at the age of five and currently studies with Dr. Kyung Kim, Associate Professor of Piano at Western University. He has since received numerous awards at the provincial, national, and international levels. In 2025, he earned first prizes in both the solo and concerto categories at the OMFA Provincial Music Festival, as well as first prize and a scholarship at the ORMTA Provincial Competition. He was also a winner of the London Community Orchestra Young Soloists Audition, leading to his concerto debut with the orchestra in Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
In 2026, Daniel received top honors in both the solo and concerto categories at the Ocean Music International Competition in New York. He subsequently attended the Ocean Music Summer Academy at the Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student.
Daniel has been recognized for his musical achievements from an early age. He appeared in the 2024 and 2025 Stars of the Festival showcases following top placements at the London Kiwanis Music Festival, and in 2022 was invited to perform at the Royal Conservatory of Music Celebration of Excellence in Toronto after earning the highest RCM examination score in Canada.
A student at St. Mary’s Choir and Orchestra Catholic School in London, Daniel also plays cello in his school orchestra. Outside of music, he plays competitive hockey with the Oakridge Aeros BB team.
Tour dates will be announced here in the fall.