معرفی
Edmond Agopian is a Professor of Violin and Conductor at the University of Calgary, as well as an Artist-in-Residence at Mount Royal Conservatory. He serves as the Director & Conductor of the Calgary Youth Orchestra and holds roles in Strings Faculty (violin). His career spans over three decades, including leadership with professional orchestras like the Kensington Sinfonia and collaborations with international ensembles such as the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, Shanghai Opera Orchestra, and Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he has been on the faculty of the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival for twenty summers, teaching in locations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Gdansk, Poland.
Agopian holds a B.Mus. and M.Mus., with early studies in Romania and formal training at the Juilliard School. His professional journey includes relinquishing a position at Acadia University to focus on roles in Calgary.
His research interests and artistic contributions revolve around violin performance, orchestral conducting, and the exploration of diverse musical traditions. He has pioneered arrangements that highlight Calgary’s multicultural musical landscape, blending Klezmer, Mariachi, Jazz, and Métis fiddling into his Calgary Musicscapes Band project. A notable publication is his violin method book The No Time to Practice Technique Companion, a SHAR Music Company bestseller since 2002.
Agopian’s awards include the Calgary Arts Award, Alberta Centennial Medal (for service to Alberta), and the John Peter Lee Roberts Distinguished Professorship in Fine Arts. His conducting work has been praised for technical mastery and emotional depth, with reviews highlighting performances as 'triumphs of technique' and 'dramatic heartfelt playing.'
He has advised students who have joined major orchestras, such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and his pedagogical approach has been recognized through student accolades like the Rose Bowl-Calgary Performing Arts Festival. Under his direction, the Calgary Youth Orchestra has toured Europe and New Zealand, earning international acclaim for performances described as 'transcending music' and 'captivating audiences.'
