October 2025
“Clark Bryan was my piano teacher throughout my high school years, and he is the person who ignited my lifelong love of music. When I began studying with him, music was just a hobby. But during our time together, I decided I wanted pursue a career in music. He didn’t push me to do music but instead, he created space for me to grow as an artist while gently guiding me toward the next directions to explore. And even after I graduated from high school and we stopped regular lessons, Clark continued to be there, encouraging me, and giving me advice whenever I needed guidance. Clark also lived his values. His community work, at the Aeolian, El Sistema, and other inspired initiatives, showed me what it looked like to use music in service of others. Nearing the end of high school, he encouraged me to broaden my perspective by studying with other teachers, first with his own teacher, the renowned pianist Cécile Ousset, and then, as I wanted, to try with various university professors. He always had my best interests at heart, supporting my evolving goals. More than a piano teacher, Clark was a mentor who taught me about artistry, discipline, and life. I will always be grateful for the time I had with him. He didn’t push; he inspired. And that made all the difference.”
Ming-Jing Wong
2022
Recording of Little Dragon
by Vincent Ho
“Wonderful performance! Thank you so much!”
Vincent Ho, composer
2022
Recording of Playful Snakelets
by Vincent Ho
“Another terrific performance! Thank you so much! I would love to hear you play the entire Zodiac set :-)”
Vincent Ho, composer
2022
Recording of Prelude No. 7
by Barbara Arens
“That was lovely and expressive – Thank you!”
Barbara Arens, composer
2022
Recording of “Quietude”
by Dennis Alexander
Hello Clark, I just discovered your most wonderful performance of my new piece from Rep. 5 of the new Celebration Series (RCM on Youtube). Thanks so much. I’ve shared it on my Facebook pages as well. Wishing you the best. Dennis Alexander
July, 2025
Recording of Incognito “Jazz Nocturne”
by Jason Sifford
“This is fantastic, thank so much for recording it!”
Jason Sifford, composer
March 27, 2025
Clark Bryan Awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Dear Clark,
On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and the Premier of Ontario, I am delighted to let you know that you have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. As MPP for London North Centre, I was proud to nominate you for this prestigious honour, which recognizes outstanding individuals for their profound and lasting contribution to Ontario and to Canada. My nomination highlighted your exemplary leadership in the Arts, how you inspire and engage young people through El Sistema, as well as your work helping London become a UNESCO World City of Music.
I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you on this well-earned recognition. I look forward to celebrating with you on April 23!
Sincerely,
Terence
Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre
January 23, 2025
Clark Bryan named “Laudible 2025” by PHSS Foundation
Clark Bryan named to 2025 Mayor’s Honour List,
London Ontario
From the City of London Ontario website for “Mayor’s Honour List” award:
Clark received his master’s degree (1992) in piano performance at the University of Western Ontario with further training in France under renowned pianist Cecile Ousset. Clark started his career as a concert pianist performing in Europe, Mexico, the United States and Canada. He has performed for CBC radio and television and has adjudicated more than 50 music festivals across Canada.
Clark is a remarkable Londoner whose contributions as a gifted classically trained pianist, educator, community activist and founder of The Aeolian Hall in London has significantly impacted our community and beyond. Clark has recorded 14 albums of piano music, including 2 Canadian Music Centre (CMC) award nominated CDs of the piano works of the Canadian Composer Rémi Bouchard and the Suites for Two Pianos by Serge Rachmaninoff with duo partner Marion Miller to rave revues.
Clark has not only demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to his profession but has also used his musical abilities to inspire and uplift others. His performances are a unique blend of technical skill and emotional depth earning him admiration and respect from peers and audiences alike. Clark’s passion and dedication to education is truly inspirational. He taught all levels for 39 years, participated inwriting curriculum for two National Conservatories and edited The New Millennium Piano Series for Conservatory Canada. Some of his students have had exceptional accomplishments, including acceptance to music programs in universities such as Yale and Julliard. He has done workshops for piano teachers and musicians throughout Canada and written a book “Gateway to Learning and Memory”.
Clark has received the following awards: · Special Teacher Award in 2004 from the London Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teacher’s Association, of which he is a past President · Musical Personality of the Year in 2005 from The London Free Press. · The Western Alumni Award of Merit in 2017and induction into the Don Wright Faculty of Music Wall of Fame from Western University · Best Classical Artist in2022 from the London Forest City Music Awards · Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 from the London Forest City Music Awards.
Clark purchased The Aeolian Performing Arts Centre in 2004 with the belief that everyone should have universal access to music and the arts. In 2011, he developed and implemented El Sistema Aeolian, a free after school music program which annually offers over100 under-served youth, an opportunity to experience the joy of a rich musical education – an opportunity which they may not otherwise have. Clark has remained as Executive/Artistic Director at the Aeolian Hall and under his leadership, the organization has grown exponentially presenting and promoting multi-genre music and the arts and liaising with community groups.
Clark Bryan embodies qualities of a true leader and change maker through his unwavering commitment to music, education and community.
For all these reasons and more, Clark is named to the 2025 Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List in the Arts category.
Mychael Danna, composer
November 2024
“You play this collection absolutely beautifully, Clark! Thank you for re-discovering these with these perfect performances, for me as well as others. Fun fact: ‘Shadows’ was the first piece I ever had published, by the late Ray Stephens at Frederick Harris Music in Oakville. I was 17. Fascinating to hear these early works 50 years later…”
October 2024
“haven’t heard this in years. what a perfect performance. thank you Clark”
Peter Fragiskatos, MP, London North Centre
January 13, 2024
Clark Bryan will be missed at The Aeolian. His dedication to arts and culture in London is second to none, as is his relentless focus on helping kids discover the power of music. Thank you, Clark, for everything you’ve contributed.
Letter sent from the Executive Director of the Ottawa Festival
April 22, 2013
Hi Gary…. I have lost track of the number of compliments received from parents at this site. They were all extremely pleased with the adjudicator, Clark Bryan. He went out of his way to give every competitor individual attention and spent all the time necessary to help him/her improve his skills. Clark’s big welcoming smile immediately put all the children at ease. He displayed his love of both teaching and assisting children. Usually I can tell the winners from others by the facial expression when they exit the hall but not this week. Every one left with a smile. just thought I’d share. Marg
Gary D. Morton
Executive Director
Kiwanis Music Festival-NCR
gdmorton@magma.ca
www.ottawakiwanismusicfestival.com
Letter from Bill Mays
May 8, 2011
Clark, we enjoyed SO MUCH your Nocturnes interpretations. Have heard about half of them so far. My wife (we played it today driving to our Pa. home) was enchanted, and said she much prefers your versions to Horowitz!
I love the time that you take, your cynamics(!), beautiful touch. The piano sounds like a 9-footer at times, in the bass-not overpowering though, just big and rich. Truly an inspired performances, and I look forward to hearing the rest, and on my big, fine speakers out in the Musik Haus.
Marion Miller on playing with Clark Bryan
james.reaney – August 13th, 2010
Ace London pianist Marion Miller sent in this fine note on sharing the bench with fellow ace, Clark Bryan. Clark’s comments are in story in Saturday’s Free Press . . . Marion’s form a delightful counterpoint.
The Brahms concert is Sunday at Aeolian Hall, 3 p.m.
Here is Marion:
“Hi, James. Marion. I love playing with Clark because it IS play. We can both take risks in the secure knowledge that the other person will catch us. We never play a piece the same way twice, even in a rehearsal. Minor irritations aside — “You’re taking up too much of the bench” or “I can’t play when you lock your elbows” — we have a great time.”
See article at lfpress.com
CHRW Music Review
Benjamin A. Vazquez, U.E. –September 7, 2010
From: http://www.chrwmusic.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=chamber&thread=39&page=1
The last time CHRW inserted a local classical C.D. into its collection was 2002. Which means we were getting to be about due.
Ah, but this new C.D. seems to have been very much worth the wait. Clark Bryan, better known as the owner of Aeolean Hall, has released a magnificent collection of Chopin’s Nocturnes. Twenty-four tracks spread over two C.D.s the nocturnes are light, delicate, and heartbreaking. Mostly they feel lonely. Magnificently lonely.
Imagine a vast auditorium, covered in cobwebs, lit by the odd ray of sunlight filtering in through cracks in the roof. Imagine a magnificent plastered ceiling crumbling away as great plaster leaves chip off the columns. Imagine rusting cast-iron ornaments, and red-cushioned seat covers that release a cloud of musty smoke when you sit down on them. Imagine a piano, worn with age sitting discarded at one end of the stage, and over it, hunched, forlorn, a man making love to the keyboard. Outside, it’s true, lies the flaming pop trash of the day. As age succeeds age and Elvis and the Beetles, Billy Joel and Brittney Spears each in their turn take the light, play with it a moment, and disappear. But something always holds you here.
That’s the power of Chopin. It’s quite different from the power of the grander romantics, of course. Beethoven’s power is something much more obvious and spectacular. Wagner’s is more spectacular still. But Chopin obliges you to stay. Serene in your heartbreak… Lingering… Mourning… Happy, in the end, to see this magnificence parade before you. It’s not a spell you can quite understand until you’ve been caught in it.
It’s a spell Mr. Bryan weaves magnificently.
Clark Bryan 