by Silvia Fernandez
A seven-year-old pianist from Calgary’s Woodbine community has won second place at the Golden Classical Music Awards in Los Angeles, performing at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall in late June.
Anastasia Shymko began piano lessons only two years ago, yet her dedication and love of music have already carried her to the international stage. Representing Canada, she competed in the eight-and-under category, which featured 35 participants from six countries: the United States, Canada, China, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. She was one of only five Canadians to participate across all categories in 2025.
At the competition, Anastasia impressed judges with her energy and musicality, earning recognition as one of the brightest young talents in her age group. She continues her studies with her teacher, Ruslana, who describes her as a natural performer with a strong enthusiasm for music.
For her mother, Tetiana Shymko, the achievement has been both exciting and humbling. “It’s incredible to see how much she has accomplished in such a short time,” she said. “We are so proud of her.”
While Anastasia’s success is a personal milestone, it also resonates with her community. Having a young musician from Woodbine achieve recognition on an international stage highlights the role of music in inspiring children, bringing people together, and showcasing local talent abroad.
Her second-place finish at the Golden Classical Music Awards marks just the beginning of her musical journey. Anastasia is already preparing for her next international competition, scheduled to take place in Japan in 2026, a step that promises to further expand her horizons and showcase her talent on another world stage.
From left to right: Music teacher Prof. Ruslana Mychajlyszyn, Anastasia Shymko, 7, with her second-place award and trophy and her mom, Tetiana Shymko.
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