Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

William Eddins is a renowned American conductor and pianist who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on September 6, 1960, in Buffalo, New York, Eddins grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Eddins started playing the piano at the age of three and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Eddins received his formal education in music at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied piano with Rebecca Penneys and conducting with David Effron. He later continued his studies at Indiana University, where he earned a Master of Music degree in piano performance and a Doctor of Music degree in conducting. Eddins began his career as a pianist, performing in recitals and as a soloist with orchestras across the United States. He made his debut with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in 1984 and went on to perform with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, among others. In 1990, Eddins made his debut as a conductor with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and his talent was immediately recognized. He was appointed as the orchestra's assistant conductor in 1991 and served in that role until 1994. During his time with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eddins conducted a wide range of repertoire, from classical to contemporary, and collaborated with many renowned soloists. In 1994, Eddins was appointed as the music director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in Canada, a position he held until 2005. During his tenure, he transformed the orchestra into one of the most respected and innovative ensembles in Canada. He introduced new programming initiatives, such as the Symphony Under the Sky festival, which brought the orchestra to outdoor venues across the city. He also commissioned new works from Canadian composers and collaborated with many renowned soloists, including Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. Eddins' success with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra led to many guest conducting engagements with major orchestras around the world. He has conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, among others. In addition to his work as a conductor, Eddins is also an accomplished pianist. He has performed as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has also recorded several albums as a pianist, including a critically acclaimed recording of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Eddins has received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1998, he was awarded the National Arts Centre Award for exceptional achievement in the arts. In 2000, he was named one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40" by The Globe and Mail. In 2005, he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the arts in Alberta. In 2014, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Eastman School of Music. Eddins is known for his dynamic and engaging conducting style, his deep musical knowledge, and his commitment to new music and education. He has been a strong advocate for music education and has worked with many youth orchestras and educational programs throughout his career.

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