Canadian violinist Adrian Anantawan has established himself as one of the most dynamic young musicians of his generation. Born of Thai-Chinese ethnicity, Anantawan began the violin at nine, and first toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1999 and 2000.
Following this was his acceptance to the Curtis Institute of Music in 2001, where he completed his bachelor degree under the tutelage of Ida Kavafian and Yumi Ninomiya Scott. It was here that he worked in depth with such artists as Joseph Silverstein, Pamela Frank, and members of the Guarnerius Quartet. During these years, Adrian also worked extensively with Pinchas Zukerman in Ottawa, and Itzhak Perlman on Shelter Island, NY and Sarasota.
Recent highlights include:
• Performance at the Official One Year Countdown Gala of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
Inducted into Terry Fox Hall of Fame, 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
Adrian is a key supporter of the disabled arts, as he was born without a right hand. He is a national spokesperson for the War Amps of Canada, and the Bloorview Kids Rehab Center. His proudest moments have included performances for the late Christopher Reeves and Pope John Paul II, and representing the Canada Cultural Showcase at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens.
The documentary by ZAP Production “Adrian Anantawan: The Story Behind the Notes” was premiered by CBC on June 30, 2008 and by Bravo on Feb 15, 2009. The TV Guide chose the documentary as a top pick of the week and called Adrian’s performance “as being touched by greatness”.