Augustine Yates

Piano Faculty

Canadian pianist Augustine Yates shines as both a composer and performer. His music  values improvisation and focuses on interplay within the ensemble. The emphasis on  improvisation allows for different types of musical conversation, where musicians may perform  a written-out role, improvise together, or improvise on specific motifs. Due to the combination  of through-composed forms and freely improvised sections, his music emphasizes the  dichotomy of spontaneity and control. 

Yates is a soloist, chamber musician, and composer who enjoys a career in classical and  jazz music. He frequently performs in venues across Canada, and numerous Canadian jazz  festivals. His debut record of original compositions, An Open Window, released January 21,  2022, and was Nominated for Jazz Recording of the Year during the 2022 YYC Music Awards. 

Yates has performed and recorded with many ensembles, including The Augustine Yates  Piano Trio, The Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra, Eulogy Eulogy, Darcy Stamp, and the Robert Lee Ensemble. 

Yates began his classical piano studies through the Royal Conservatory of Music,  ultimately earning his ARCT diploma, one of the highest degrees offered through the Royal  Conservatory. During his high school years, he became enamoured with jazz and began to study  the art form. Yates holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College in Toronto. His  primary teachers have included many of Canada’s finest musicians, such as Brian Dickinson,  Robi Botos, and Adrean Farrugia.

Private Lesson Rate: $89.00 per hour.