The final classical concert of Bowen Island’s 2014-2015 Classical Concert Series will be played by internationally renowned guitarist Daniel Bolshoy on January 11.
Daniel is one of Canada’s most successful solo concert artists and has performing with both the Vancouver and Toronto Symphony Orchestras and toured every province and territory in Canada. He has also performed with orchestras, chamber ensembles and in festivals in Russia, China, the United States and Israel. His recordings and live recitals are frequently broadcast on CBC radio and Bravo TV, as well as many other international radio television stations.
As he is committed to bringing the guitar to the attention of audiences everywhere, his concert tours take him from prestigious international concert stages to remote villages and house-concerts. He is regularly praised for his friendly and informative spoken introductions, and progressive programming of solo and chamber music.
Daniel was born in Moscow and lived for a while in Israel, where he discovered his passion for the classical guitar. He soon dedicated himself to the pursuit of classical music on the guitar.
He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1993. He finished high school in Ottawa’s Canterbury Arts High School (making him the first guitarist to do so) and went on to study at Carleton University and afterwards at the University of Toronto.
After hearing virtuoso guitarist and composer Ricardo Izanola, Daniel decided to continue his studies with the Cuban-American Maestro, at the University of Denver, where he completed his Undergraduate degree and later received a Masters of Music degree in 2001. Daniel considers Ricardo to be his primary mentor and continues to admire this great guitarist, composer and pedagogue.
While in Denver, Daniel won university awards, including a full-tuition scholarship, several “recital of distinction” prizes, as well as graduating “Magna cum Laude”. He also won international competitions and prizes.
After graduation, Daniel started a doctorate in Arizona and then moved to the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. During this time he won several competitions. He worked as an associate instructor at IU, teaching courses in guitar history and literature, guitar pedagogy, as well as classroom guitar, chamber music ensembles and undergraduate performance majors.
From there he went to work Concordia University in Montreal. More recently Daniel has become the head of the Guitar Division at the University Of British Columbia School of Music and the head of the Guitar Department at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. Even though he is still actively touring, he is also finding time to take on national and international jurying duties for young and emerging musicians.
Daniel plays a wide variety of classical music and has made seven CDs some of which will be available to buy at the concert.
The concert will be held in the Gallery at Artisan Square. Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the concert will start promptly at 3:30 pm. People wishing to attend the concert, but who do not have tickets, can purchase them at the door.
