Adrian Anantawan
Encyclopedia
Adrian Anantawan is a Canadian
violin
ist. Anantawan, who began studying violin
at age nine, has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
and has performed at the White House
. He is an alumnus of Etobicoke School of the Arts
. Growing up in the neighbourhood of Clarkson, in Mississauga, Ontario
, Canada
, he attended St. Christopher's Elementary School, and is a member of the St. Christopher's Church Parish.
. His Mother, a tutor, is Chinese
while his father, a graphic artist, is Thai
. He has two other brothers.
In 1999 and 2000, Anantawan earned positions with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, ranking second nationally in his audition for the year 2000.
Throughout his musical career, Anantawan has won many music awards and has received numerous recognitions. He has been profiled by CBC, CTV, YTV, CityTV, TVO, and many major newspapers and magazines. In 2001, Anantawan received the Mississauga Arts Council Emerging Music Talent award and the YTV (Canada) Young Achiever award. In 2002, he received the Starling Award for promising young soloist from the Meadowmount School of Music
, founded by Ivan Galamian
. On the same year, he won the International Rosemary Kennedy Award and debuted at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. In 2005, he received the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award.
In 2006, after enjoying a full merit scholarship, Anantawan graduated from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music
in Philadelphia. While there, he studied under Ida Kavafian
and Yumi Ninomiya Scott. In the summers of 2004, 2005 and 2006, he won scholarships to the National Arts Center Young Artist Program and studied with Pinchas Zukerman
. Summer of 2006 and January 2007 also saw Anantawan with a full scholarship at the Perlman School of Music under Itzhak Perlman
.
Anantawan has been performing regularly since 2001. He soloed with orchestras throughout Canada and the US. He represented the Canada Cultural Showcase at the 2004 Paralympic Games
in Athens, Greece. In November 2005, he debuted with the Toronto Symphony under the direction of Peter Oundjian
. In the spring of 2006, his recital at the Glenn Gould
Studio for CBC Radio 2 - “Music Around Us” was broadcasted live nationally. In September 2006 he performed at the White House to help launch the President's Global Cultural Initiative. In 2008, he completed his Master's degree in Music with a full scholarship at Yale University
under Peter Oundjian
. Anantawan was inducted into Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2008, Toronto.
and Bloorview Kids Rehab Center in Toronto.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist. Anantawan, who began studying violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
at age nine, has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
and has performed at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. He is an alumnus of Etobicoke School of the Arts
Etobicoke School of the Arts
The Etobicoke School of the Arts is a specialized public arts-academic high school located in Etobicoke area of Toronto, Canada. Founded on September 8, 1981, the Etobicoke School of the Arts has the distinction of being the oldest, free standing arts focused high school in Canada...
. Growing up in the neighbourhood of Clarkson, in Mississauga, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, he attended St. Christopher's Elementary School, and is a member of the St. Christopher's Church Parish.
Biography
Anantawan began his violin training at the age of nine, in Mississauga with violinist Peggy Hills, and later under violist Mark Childs in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. His Mother, a tutor, is Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
while his father, a graphic artist, is Thai
Thai
When used as an adjective, Thai refers to anything that originates from Thailand. As a noun it may refer to:* Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in and around Thailand* Thai people, the dominant ethnic group of Thailand...
. He has two other brothers.
In 1999 and 2000, Anantawan earned positions with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, ranking second nationally in his audition for the year 2000.
Throughout his musical career, Anantawan has won many music awards and has received numerous recognitions. He has been profiled by CBC, CTV, YTV, CityTV, TVO, and many major newspapers and magazines. In 2001, Anantawan received the Mississauga Arts Council Emerging Music Talent award and the YTV (Canada) Young Achiever award. In 2002, he received the Starling Award for promising young soloist from the Meadowmount School of Music
Meadowmount School of Music
The Meadowmount School of Music, founded in 1944 by Ivan Galamian, is a 7-week summer school in Westport in Upstate New York for accomplished young violinists, cellists, violists, and pianists training for professional careers in music. The students are required to practice for at least five hours...
, founded by Ivan Galamian
Ivan Galamian
Ivan Alexander Galamian was an influential Armenian violin teacher of the twentieth century.He was born in Tabriz, Iran, but his family soon emigrated to Moscow, Russia. Galamian studied violin at the School of the Philharmonic Society there with Konstantin Mostras until his graduation in 1919...
. On the same year, he won the International Rosemary Kennedy Award and debuted at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. In 2005, he received the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award.
In 2006, after enjoying a full merit scholarship, Anantawan graduated from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
in Philadelphia. While there, he studied under Ida Kavafian
Ida Kavafian
Ida Kavafian is a classical violinist and violist.Kavafian was born in Turkey to Armenian parents. She moved with her family to America in 1956, and began studying violin in Detroit at age six...
and Yumi Ninomiya Scott. In the summers of 2004, 2005 and 2006, he won scholarships to the National Arts Center Young Artist Program and studied with Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman is a world-renowned violinist, violist, and conductor. He is considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, and his ongoing 45-year career has seen him perform with the world's best-known orchestras and record over 100 works...
. Summer of 2006 and January 2007 also saw Anantawan with a full scholarship at the Perlman School of Music under Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman
Itzhak Perlman is an Israeli-born violinist, conductor, and instructor of master classes. He is regarded as one of the pre-eminent violinists of the 20th and early-21st centuries.-Early life:...
.
Anantawan has been performing regularly since 2001. He soloed with orchestras throughout Canada and the US. He represented the Canada Cultural Showcase at the 2004 Paralympic Games
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
in Athens, Greece. In November 2005, he debuted with the Toronto Symphony under the direction of Peter Oundjian
Peter Oundjian
Peter Oundjian is a violinist and conductor, the youngest of five children from an Armenian father and English mother. He also claims Scottish ancestry through his maternal grandfather, a Sanderson, and the MacDonell of Glengarry clan.Oundjian was educated in England, where he began studying the...
. In the spring of 2006, his recital at the Glenn Gould
Glenn Gould
Glenn Herbert Gould was a Canadian pianist who became one of the best-known and most celebrated classical pianists of the 20th century. He was particularly renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach...
Studio for CBC Radio 2 - “Music Around Us” was broadcasted live nationally. In September 2006 he performed at the White House to help launch the President's Global Cultural Initiative. In 2008, he completed his Master's degree in Music with a full scholarship at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
under Peter Oundjian
Peter Oundjian
Peter Oundjian is a violinist and conductor, the youngest of five children from an Armenian father and English mother. He also claims Scottish ancestry through his maternal grandfather, a Sanderson, and the MacDonell of Glengarry clan.Oundjian was educated in England, where he began studying the...
. Anantawan was inducted into Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2008, Toronto.
Disability activism
Anantawan was born without a right hand. He is an active member and spokesperson for the CHAMP (Child Amputee) Program of The War AmpsThe War Amps
The War Amps is a Canadian nation-wide registered charitable organization founded in 1918 and operated under the direction of war amputees. Since its inception, The War Amps has had as its hallmark the unique philosophy of “amputees helping amputees.” The War Amps is able to operate its many...
and Bloorview Kids Rehab Center in Toronto.
Professional achievements
- Inducted into Terry Fox Hall of FameTerry Fox Hall of FameThe Terry Fox Hall of Fame recognizes "outstanding Canadians who have made extraordinary contributions to enriching the quality of life for people with physical disabilities". It is run by the Canadian Paraplegic Association. The Hall is named after Terry Fox, a cancer research activist who...
, Toronto, 2008 - White House appearance in the presence of the First Lady to help launch the Global Cultural Initiative, sponsored by VSA arts, 2006
- Juno Nominee for Best Children Album "A Butterfly in Time", 2006
- National broadcast of TSO debut concert by CBC, January 1, 2006
- National broadcast of Glen Gloud Studio recital, Music around Us by CBC, 2006
- Nominee for Terry Fox Hall of Fame, 2005
- Galaxie Rising Star Award, CBC, 2005
- Starling Award for Most Promising Young Soloist, 2005
- Awarded the use of an 1698 Amati violin, 2004 – present
- Gold, and Grand Awards, International Mercury Film Festival, 2003 (profile)
- Gold, and Gold Special Jury’s Awards, Worldfest, Houston, 2003 (profile)
- VSA arts Rosemary Kennedy International Young Soloist Award, 2002
- Kids Hall of Fame Inductee, N.Y., 2001
- Young Achiever Award YTV (YAPS to the Max), 2001
- Mississauga Art Council Emerging Music Award, 2001
- Member of NYO of Canada, placed second in the nationwide audition, 2000
- One of the youngest violinists accepted by the NYO of Canada, 1999
Media coverage
- Has been profiled by most major newspapers such as Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, National, the Sun, Mississauga News, Washington Post, Philadelphia Enquirer, South Mississippi News, New Hampshire, etc., 1999 – present
- Has been profiled by most major TV channels such as the following:
- Profile, Fairchild Television, Dec 2006
- One on One with Paula Todd, TVO, Jan/2006
- W5, Help & Hope CTV, March/2005
- PBA profile for the War Amps, all channels, 2002 – present
- “Gift” Supper Gala, National News, CTV, CBC, City TV, Global, 2004
- "The Daily Planet" Discovery Channel, 2004
- Idea City 02, City TV, June/2002
- Moving On, CBC, 2001
- YAPS to the Max, YTV, 2000
- Special documentary entitled 'The Story Behind The Notes', premiered on The Documentary Channel, June 30/2008