Ali Berkok — Piano

A relentlessly multi-faceted pianist and composer, Ali Berkok can be seen performing in a variety of settings all over Toronto. Primarily active as leader of Arkana, he is emerging as a composer/performer with a lasting and personal style. His debut album, Hyprovisation, was released in 2007 to critical praise. In demand as a sideman, Ali is also a regular in the groups Muskox and Incline. Other collaborations include work with the Toronto Jazz Orchestra, where he is featured as soloist on their latest recording, The Path.

In 2005, Ali received the Ken Page Memorial Trust in order to attend the Banff Centre for the Arts, where he studied with Dave Douglas and Vijay Iyer. Ali has also studied with renowned artists such as Don Thompson. He is currently working towards his M. Mus at the University of Toronto.

Ali has taught piano since his late teens, and is looking forward to his fourth year at the Music Studio. Students can expect an emphasis on sight-reading, as well as a strong ear-based approach to rhythm. Though knowledge of piano literature is an important goal, Ali is always eager to find the most appropriate middle ground between a classical and more jazz/popular music approach.