A vibrant musician, Risa Tonita performs as a solo and collaborative pianist, and as a singer. She especially enjoys working on music that features extended techniques such as playing on the strings and pins inside the instrument, using her physical voice to tell a story while playing the piano, and adding items to the strings to create a prepared piano. Recent performance highlights include performing with bassoonist Ingrid Chiang as part of the Concerts Café Classico Series in Langley, BC (Dec. 2023), the UBC Noon-Hours series (March 2023), a performance of video game music with the UBC orchestra conducted by Lucas Waldin (November 2022), performing in the final round of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Piano Competition in April 2022, performing for The Old School House “Music on Sundays” concert series with Ingrid Chiang and oboist Emma Ringrose (2020), and working as rehearsal pianist for the Best of Broadway POPS concert at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON in 2018.
In addition to her work as a performer, Risa maintains a private studio of piano and voice students of all ages and levels. She loves to help her students find solutions to technical and creative challenges at the instrument and to strategize ways of managing performance anxiety. Mostly, she enjoys watching her students get excited about music and being on the artistic journey with each of them.
Risa’s experience in theatre, dance, and singing, as well as her commitment to fighting stigmas associated with mental health, gender inequity, and cultural oppression, have inspired her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) research. Her work is grounded in feminist theories and political philosophy that support the development of the “self” as a way to connect more deeply with her audiences. This DMA research is funded by SSHRC and the UBC Public Scholars Initiative.
Risa graduated with a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Ottawa under the guidance of Frédéric Lacroix and holds a “Diplôme d’études musicales” from a conservatory in France. She is currently finishing a DMA degree at UBC and has thoroughly enjoyed being on this adventure with her supervisors, Dr. Corey Hamm and Dr. Hedy Law.
When she needs a break from her piano shenanigans, Risa loves to sing, dance, bake, eat delicious food, and spend time with family, friends, her husband Alexander, and her mini-Aussie, Luna.