Staryk was offered the concertmaster position with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra but chose to pursue solo work at that time.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada[3] of Ukrainian descent, began his musical education at 7 years old at the Harbord Collegiate Institute.
As a renowned teacher, orchestral and chamber musician, and international soloist, he is considered to be the leading Canadian-born violinist of his generation.
Staryk was offered the concertmaster position with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1963 but chose to pursue solo work at that time.
Staryk is a well known master teacher and many of his pupils hold various positions in major orchestras, chamber groups and professional music schools around the world.
In 2007 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 2008 received an Honorary Fellowship from the Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto).