spotlight 21 ~ Wednesday, August 23, 1989 - North Shore News Young pianist makes a name for himself NICHOLAS MALOFF was exposed to music earlier than most people. According to his father Nicholas Sr., the North Vancouver concert pianist was born into classical music. “His mother was an opera singer who sang into her eighth month of pregnancy and the vibrations were there,’ is his favorite theory about his son’s ex- ceptional talents. Well, his love of music didn’t really begin at birth. Contrary to the family joke, “it wasn’t my idea to take up the piano,” con- fesses Nicholas Jr. A bit of parental prodding wasn’t such a bad thing, though. At 20, Maloff is one of this country’s most promising young pianists. “t realize now that it (being a pianist) was something |! always wanted to do. It was something that came gradually and natural- The prizes and scholarships came naturally, too. At only nine years of age, Maloff was singled out as the most outstanding talent and best performer by the Kiwanis Music Festival. Today his resume is loaded wit! impressive awards from local, provincial and national competi- tions. Names like the Canadian Music Competition and the prestigious Eckhardt Gramattee Piano Competition leap off the page. Despite an automobile accident that knocked him out of commis- sion for two months with a broken leg, Maloff was still able to pull off a silver at the Brandon Manitoba Eckhardt Piano Competition this May. “It was a very serious acci- dent,” says Nicholas Sr. ‘I only had one month to prepare for the competition,” notes Nicholas Jr. He was also the youngest com- petitor from among the more than 160 entries. Strong, energetic, with jots of tone is how Maloff describes his style. “And when I play soft things ! phrase them nicely with a singing tone,” he adds. Pa Sess Teriyaki Steak Chicken Sizzle Steaming Gar ‘A FREE TRIP THROUGH Join us this summer at the Keg North Shore before 6 pm on any day of the week and we'll serve you up any ot the following Keg favorites CHOOSE FROM His pre-natal opera recitals must have influenced his playing, he acknowledges. Two years ago, Maloff’s unique style caught the attention of the University of B.C.’s music department, which awarded the young virtuoso with its highest award, the $12,000 Chancellor's Scholarship. Since then he has studied under the cream of the local keyboard community: Dale Reubart, Robert Rogers and his current principal instructor, Lee Kum Sing. But Maloff is not only a student of music. The young pianist has had plenty of experience coaching his mother’s opera students, so it seemed natural for the head of UBC’s opera department to ask EVELYN JACOB him to become the department's Spotlight feature repetiteur and accompanist. Accompanying his mother’s studenis and other musicians helped prepare him for future concerts; most recently at the Or- pheum Theatre where he played Ss cay NEWS photo Tom Burlay ACCOMPLISHED PIANIST Nicholas Maloff of North Vancouver recently gave a concert 2t the Orpieum Theatre. GF his musical career Maioff says, ‘‘It was something that came gradually and naturally.”* for just Beef Bones Mesquite Broiled Sirloin. Blackened Snapper Teriyaki Chicken (incl. Sourdough Bread, Baked Potato or Rice Pilaf, len Fresh ‘vegetables.) STHE KEG‘S SALAD BAR {s yours when you present this coupon and purchase an Early Reward Dinner (Only at Keg i t North Shore / Offer good till Sept. 30/89). (Your choice WY Before 6 pm) Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concer- to and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. |STROLLING THE — | WEST | VANCOUVE | SEAWALL ge Guitarist Harpist Saturday Sunday Brunch Brunch Drop by Cappuccino or Light Meal Very Casual Lunch, Brunch, Dinaer Playing before large audiences can instil stage fright even in the most experienced musicians — but the word nervous never seems to come up. “The only thing that it is is very exciting,”’ he says with delight. Maloif says he never gets “the shakes’ performing for five au- diences or on CBC T.V. and radio. Good thing, because the young musician may one day find himself playing the premier concert houses of the world. IAG Ss Ses . ARTES . A LOSS Sry Fi SORRY ies NI AM HEA RASA Hh MNeath N72 , a AWS ie f BELA Weenu ta ie ANT i ; ARS La i} SS ALAN IALIINTUTS CAUBTISIDTTCLEL TILL ESTET QS. Spar ee EE COLT EL HORS teen URE a fora ; Open 7 Days & Nights a Week § 2427 Marine Drive, West Van. CAPERS 2496 Marine Or, W. Van. VITAMIN HOUSE #1 1929 Lonsdate VITAMIN HOUSE #2 2470 Marine Gr INTERNAL HEALTH 1848 Marine Dr., W. Van. 925-3316 980-5545 922-0433 926-6212 ON THE PURCHASE OF ANY TWO HERBAL GLO PRODUCTS See the following participating retailers for the brochure/coupon: WOODLANDS 93 Lonsdale, N. Van. GRANDMA'S GARDEN 870 N. Pork Royal, W. Van. NATURALLY GOOD 1925 S Park Aayal. W. Van. COUNTRY HEALT! | VITAMIN DISCOUNTS 152 Lonsdale, N. Van. 998-3454 | L _926-3838_ . | 4 985-9328 926-6126 926-7016 mn Valley Shopping Ctr. 4 4