Creative Team

• Kerson LeongViolinist
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Kerson Leong

Violinist

Canadian violinist Kerson Leong is quickly emerging as one of the finest musicians and instrumentalists of his generation. He continues to win over both colleagues and audiences alike not only with his “supreme mastery” (Le Devoir) of his instrument or his unmistakable tone, but also his unique ability to combine an honest, intellectual approach with raw intensity and spontaneity, resulting in a truly compelling musicality.

Kerson first gained international attention by winning Junior First Prize at the Menuhin Competition 2010 in Oslo. After subsequent debuts at major international festivals as well as four return performances with the Oslo Philharmonic, he has since distinguished himself as a powerful and individual musical voice, having played in such venues as Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Wigmore Hall, the Auditorium du Louvre and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

A sought-after soloist, Kerson was hand-picked by Yannick Nézet-Séguin to be his artist-in-residence with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal during the 18/19 season and has performed with such ensembles as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, and Stavanger Symphony Orchestra among others.

Other recent highlights include recording John Rutter’s Visions, a piece written especially for him, with the composer himself and the Aurora Chamber Orchestra, after giving its world premiere in London, UK.

Music outreach and pedagogy are growing passions for Kerson. Renowned schools such as Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and the Sibelius Academy have recognized his unique approach as well as his ability to inspire the new generation by inviting him to teach and lecture. A natural communicator on and off the stage, he is cementing his significant role in reaching young people and potential music lovers with his art.

Kerson is an associated artist of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, where he was mentored by Augustin Dumay.

Kerson performs on the ‘ex Bohrer’ Guarneri del Gesu violin courtesy of Canimex Inc, Drummondville (Quebec), Canada.

• Eric FriesenHost
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Eric Friesen

Host

Eric Friesen hosts this intimate concert and conversation series featuring world-renowned classical musicians. Friesen is an internationally renowned music writer and past host of the long-running CBC Radio series “Studio Sparks.” Friesen makes the evening an engaging and enlightening experience as he speaks with the artists about their experiences and their relationship with classical music.