Christina Petrowska-Quilico


Christina Elena Petrowska Quilico is a Canadian pianist. She is a Full Professor of Piano Performance and Musicology at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Early life and education

Quilico was born on December 30, 1948 in Ottawa, Ontario. She made her performance debut at The Town Hall in New York City at the age of 15. She later returned to the city as a young adult to attend Juilliard School for her Bachelor of Music and Master's degree.

Career

However, after graduating from Juilliard, Quilico discovered she preferred contemporary music over classical, which she had been trained in. She began teaching at the Paris American Academy, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Carleton University and University of Ottawa. However, by 1987, she joined the faculty of music at York University. In 1992, astronaut Steve MacLean brought her recording of Alexina Louie’s Star-Filled Night on his first mission to the Space Shuttle Columbia.
In 2007, Quilico received the Friends of Canadian Music Award from the Canadian Music Centre and Canadian League of Composers.

Personal life

Quilico was married to composer Michel-Georges Brégent until he died in 1993. She subsequently re-married to Louis Quilico who died four years later.