Biography

Since relocating to Vancouver in 2006, Dr. Caisley has been a vital part of the city’s classical music scene, performing and teaching at institutions such as the Vancouver Academy of Music, City Opera Vancouver, UBC, and the VSO School of Music. He has produced several CD albums, toured internationally, and created a classical music video. Throughout his career, he has studied with some of the world’s most respected musicians, including Martin Katz, Elly Ameling, Heinrich Schiff, and Hans Hotter.

Dr. Caisley maintains an active private studio, teaching both solo and collaborative piano. His students have gone on to professional music careers and further study at institutions such as the Conservatory in Milan and universities across Canada. In addition to his work as a pianist and teacher, Dr. Caisley is a seasoned vocal coach and répétiteur, having coached over 50 classical singers, many of whom now perform internationally. He is also a passionate advocate for music education and has adjudicated over 200 music festivals across Canada. From 2018–2024, he served as President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association and remains active as their Past President.

An avid community builder, Dr. Caisley has founded three performance organizations, including Postmodern Camerata, a chamber ensemble blending genres under his artistic direction for eight years. As a composer and conductor, he created original works, led ensembles, and developed administrative structures for long-term success. He served for 15 years as Music Director at three major United Churches in Vancouver, where he launched the Pneuma Voices youth training program for young singers. He also founded and currently directs the United Voices Choir, a 65 member auditioned ensemble that presents large-scale sacred music concerts with professional soloists and orchestra. Their repertoire spans repertoire from Bach, Handel, Brahms, Lauridsen, Finzi and most recently Dureflé. voiceschoir.ca

Currently, Dr. Caisley is the Co-Director of the keyboard Department at the VSO School of Music, where he works closely with Dr. Bogdan Dulu. In addition, he is also the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in downtown Vancouver, where he plays both piano and pipe organ. Outside of music, Dr. Caisley enjoys cycling, hockey, and reading poetry. He treasures time with his three children and his wife, violinist Yi Zhou of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.