What Colleagues, Teachers and Students Are Saying

Elaine’s work as a performer, educator, and mentor has had a lasting impact on students, teachers, and colleagues across North America. Here are a few reflections from individuals who have worked with her.

  • "I had the privilege of collaborating with Elaine Rusk at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Elaine is a visionary leader in music education. She inspired me with her deep knowledge across performance, pedagogy, technology, and curriculum innovation. Elaine is a true champion of living composers and balances forward thinking ideas with respect for musical tradition. I hold her in the highest regard and am continually inspired by her dedication to shaping a vibrant future for students, music educators, and arts organizations."

    — Derek Zhi Guang Chiu
    Steinway Artist

  • “Elaine is a force of nature! As a dedicated educator and arts administrator, she has been instrumental in raising Canadian cultural awareness through her work at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Thanks to her, students and teachers around the world are embracing exciting contemporary works by composers of diverse cultural backgrounds, thereby enriching this generation's music education experiences.”

    — Vincent Ho
    Composer

  • "As a colleague, Elaine communicates ideas clearly and listens actively, making others feel understood and valued. She thoughtfully adapts her message to her audience, ensuring information is shared with transparency, empathy, and purpose."

    — David Lee
    Operations Manager, The Royal Conservatory of Music ‍

  • “Elaine Rusk is truly one of the most competent professionals one could ever hope to work with. Warm, personal and professionally energetic, she is result oriented and possesses exemplary management skills. She is a joy to collaborate with, and I treasured every minute we worked together!"

    — Sheila Vail‍
    Founding Director, Indian Springs Academy of Music
    Member, RCM College of Examiners‍ ‍

  • "I was first introduced to Elaine Rusk in 2015 through our mutual friend and colleague, E.L. Lancaster when a few of my compositions were chosen for the Royal Conservatory of Music’s “Celebration Series” 2015 release. That relationship and my publication through the RCM was a catalyst which substantially helped my popularity as a composer; it is a relationship I deeply value."

    — Mike Springer
    Composer

  • “Elaine’s innate musical curiosity and broad range of interests in a plethora of styles and genres resulted in wonderful collaborations, both in compiling the RCM Repertoire/Etudes Series and Popular Selections Syllabus. She was the glue that held together the compiler teams, with a practical yet open perspective. We could rely on her good humour and positivity through all the challenges, from COVID restrictions to obtaining publishing rights to searching for fully accurate and accessible sources."

    — Pēteris Zarins
    Faculty, The Phil and Eli Taylor Academy of the Glenn Gould School
    Faculty, The Oscar Peterson School of The Royal Conservatory of Music
    Chief examiner Emeritus, The Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program ‍

  • "Elaine Rusk is a passionate advocate for music education who has dedicated her career to supporting teachers and strengthening the piano community throughout the United States and Canada. Her leadership at The Royal Conservatory of Music was marked by a genuine commitment to relationships and a deep understanding of the needs of educators. Elaine has a remarkable ability to make music learning accessible, engaging, and welcoming for everyone she serves."

    — Heather Smith
    NCTM

  • "Elaine Rusk is an excellent piano teacher who also understands the demands of busy lives. Her passion for music and genuine interest in the well being of her students, as well as her vast knowledge of musical styles is a delight for students and parents alike. I am glad she has returned to teaching after retiring from her position at RCM. "

    — Carolyn Maule 
    parent 

  • "I have enjoyed watching Elaine Rusk present a masterclass for the RCM. Her pedagogical knowledge and presentation style is amazing."

    — Mike Springer
    Composer

  • "As an RCM Honorary Fellow and retired Vice President, Academics and Publishing at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Ms. Elaine Rusk has profoundly impacted generations of musicians. Her 28 years of dedicated service to the RCM represent an extraordinary legacy. I have long admired how she masterfully balanced the highest level of professionalism with genuine warmth, inspiring countless educators across the RCM community throughout her tenure. Her workshops in Greater Vancouver were consistently sold out and highly anticipated. Local teachers always responded with tremendous enthusiasm, as her sessions were exceptionally informative, practical, and deeply valuable to their teaching practice."

    — Queenie Yang
    Provincial Delegate, BCRMTA Richmond Branch
    West Coast Regional Representative, Royal Conservatory of Music

  • "It has been a privilege to collaborate with Elaine on several significant artistic and educational initiatives. As a core editor of the RCM Celebration Series, Sixth Edition (2022), she demonstrated exceptional artistic vision and scholarly integrity, shaping what I consider to be the most successful edition in the history of the series. Her leadership on the Academic Advisory Board of the PRM Piano Competition further reflects her deep commitment to artistic excellence, academic rigor, and the cultivation of an international standard for young musicians."

    — Edward Han Jiang
    Steinway Artist
    Honorary Fellow, The Royal Conservatory of Music
    Board of Director, Pacific Rim International Music & Education Society