National Sawdust Log: "You Should Be Following: Darren Creech"

“It was frustrating as a queer artist to not see myself represented in the classical music industry,” Creech, 27, said in a recent interview with National Sawdust Log.

Carving a niche as the only queer classical pianist to fiercely highlight his identity on stage, Creech has an entrepreneurial savvy that has landed him university keynote concerts, coveted festival performances and awards, and a fateful slide into his DMs by none other than esteemed piano maker Steinway.

March 2018

Laurier Alumni: "How Darren Creech (BMus '12) has carved himself a niche in the music world"

Identifying himself as the ‘queer pianist’ in his bio and on social media, Creech has carved a niche in the music world with performances that combine queer theatre, captivating costumes and glittery hair.

His concert at Laurier did not disappoint. It featured a narrative propelled by spoken word, lighting design and five different costume changes combined with challenging 20th and 21st century piano repertoire. The day before the concert, Creech delivered a masterclass to Laurier piano students.

December 2017

The Whole Note: "Darren Creech's Queer Resilience"

RESILIENCE is, technically, a solo piano recital—but it’s also far more than that. Drawing on his multidisciplinary practice, Creech incorporates costumes, glitter, narration, lighting and stage design into his performance, with the aim of introducing elements of queerness and theatricality to the classical stage.  

For Creech, the crux of the show lies in how it challenges audiences’ assumptions about what classical music stands for, and opens the door for performers and audiences who otherwise might not see themselves represented onstage.

September 2017

Canadian Mennonite: "Breathing New Live Into the Music"

When a Toronto-based LGBTQ orchestra approached queer classical pianist Darren Creech about performing Victor Davies’ 'Mennonite Piano Concerto' with it in concert, it didn’t realize what a perfect fit he would be.
Unbeknownst to the Counterpoint Community Orchestra at the time, Creech is Mennonite and he grew up listening to the piece. Victor Davies says, "He’s a terrific young guy . . . and he’s a wonderful pianist. We’re very delighted that he’s playing it.'"

May 2017

CBC Music: "Live Webcast: watch Darren Creech play McGill"

For his keynote performance, Creech will give a narrative solo recital combining recorded program notes, lighting, stage design and "subversive fashion." 
"My approach not only gives me more to say as an artist, but it helps the audience connect to the music and the story I'm telling in a way that is rare to find in solo piano recitals," he says. Look forward to tightly timed costume changes and audio-visual effects that recontextualize the repertoire.

March 2017