Vernon Regehr was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 28, 1948, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Regehr started playing the cello at the age of six and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Regehr's musical education began at the Vancouver Academy of Music, where he studied under the tutelage of Ian Hampton. He later went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a student of Leonard Rose. Regehr's talent and dedication to his craft were evident from the start, and he quickly gained recognition as a rising star in the classical music world. Regehr's career as a professional musician began in the early 1970s when he joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as their principal cellist. He held this position for several years before moving on to other opportunities. In 1976, Regehr joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as their principal cellist, a position he held for over a decade. During his time with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Regehr became known for his exceptional talent and his ability to bring a unique and powerful voice to the cello. He was a sought-after soloist and chamber musician, and he performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the world. One of Regehr's most notable performances was his solo performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1982. This performance was widely acclaimed and is still considered one of the greatest performances of the piece to this day. Regehr's interpretation of the piece was praised for its emotional depth and technical mastery. In addition to his work as a soloist and chamber musician, Regehr was also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He taught at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music for many years and was known for his ability to inspire and guide his students to reach their full potential. Throughout his career, Regehr received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the classical music world. In 1983, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors, for his outstanding contributions to the arts. He was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 in recognition of his exceptional service to Canada. Sadly, Regehr passed away on October 6, 2018, at the age of 70. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, and he is remembered as one of the greatest cellists of his generation. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless musicians he inspired throughout his career.

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