Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

April 15, 1972 in London, Canada

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Lara St. John is a Canadian-American violinist who has established herself as one of the most exciting and versatile classical musicians of her generation. Born in London, Ontario, Canada in 1971, St. John began playing the violin at the age of two and gave her first public performance at the age of four. She was raised in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer and conductor. St. John's talent was evident from an early age, and she quickly gained recognition as a prodigy. She won her first competition at the age of six and made her debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of ten. She went on to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. St. John's career took off in the 1990s, when she began performing with major orchestras around the world. She has appeared as a soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and many others. She has also performed at major music festivals, including the Ravinia Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Mostly Mozart Festival. One of St. John's most notable performances was her 1999 debut at Carnegie Hall, where she performed the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was widely praised by critics, who noted St. John's technical virtuosity and emotional depth. St. John has also made a name for herself as a chamber musician, collaborating with some of the world's leading musicians. She has performed with pianist Jeremy Denk, cellist Matt Haimovitz, and guitarist Sharon Isbin, among others. In 2000, she formed the group "The Knights" with a group of fellow musicians, which has since become one of the most innovative and exciting chamber ensembles in the world. St. John's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing everything from Baroque music to contemporary works. She has recorded numerous albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of Bach's solo violin works and a Grammy-nominated recording of works by Astor Piazzolla. In addition to her performing career, St. John is also a passionate advocate for music education. She has worked with numerous organizations to promote music education in schools and communities, and has served as a mentor to young musicians. St. John has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1997, she was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, one of the most prestigious awards for young musicians in the United States. She has also been awarded the Canada Council for the Arts' Virginia Parker Prize, the Prix Opus, and the Diapason d'Or. Despite her many accomplishments, St. John remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform around the world, and is always seeking new ways to push the boundaries of classical music. With her technical brilliance, emotional depth, and boundless creativity, Lara St. John is truly one of the most exciting and inspiring musicians of our time.

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