Shirley Irek, pianist
Shirley Irek was born in Croatia and educated at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles and the Juilliard School in New York, where she received her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Piano Performance. She gave her solo debut at the age of 5, performing for the Prime Minister of Canada, followed by an orchestral debut at the age of 7, playing the Mozart Concerto, K.488, with the Toronto Chamber Orchestra.
In her junior year at Juilliard, Shirley won the Concerto Competition and performed the Mozart Concerto, K.482, with the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Upon graduation, Shirley received the first Van Cliburn Award given at Juilliard, for outstanding achievement among pianists.
Shirley has performed as a chamber music pianist and duo-pianist, throughout Europe, Africa and Japan. She has also been a sought-after accompanist, performing with instrumentalists and singers in competitions and recitals. In 1996, she moved to Atlanta and has been a frequent soloist with the Atlanta Ballet. She is the proud mother of two children and the proud teacher of many students in her Buckhead studio, where she enjoys sharing her passion for music.
In her junior year at Juilliard, Shirley won the Concerto Competition and performed the Mozart Concerto, K.482, with the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Upon graduation, Shirley received the first Van Cliburn Award given at Juilliard, for outstanding achievement among pianists.
Shirley has performed as a chamber music pianist and duo-pianist, throughout Europe, Africa and Japan. She has also been a sought-after accompanist, performing with instrumentalists and singers in competitions and recitals. In 1996, she moved to Atlanta and has been a frequent soloist with the Atlanta Ballet. She is the proud mother of two children and the proud teacher of many students in her Buckhead studio, where she enjoys sharing her passion for music.
