Summer Strings with Hok Kwan
July 28-August 1, 2008 • Cost: $50

Keep your violin playing on track this summer with a week-long intensive session of lessons with violinist Hok Kwan. Students will receive instruction daily at the Saint John Arts Centre.They will be taught in small groups for approximately one hour (afternoons) for the week of July 28-August 1, 2008.

A closing concert will showcase the students’ talent. This learning opportunity is open to all playing levels except complete beginners. (Students must have started Suzuki Book 1). Students will be grouped according to their skill level. Depending upon the number of applicants and their playing levels, there may also be opportunities for chamber ensemble coaching sessions during “Summer Strings 2008”. Registration fee is $50 for the week.

“Summer Strings” is a joint project of the District 8 String Programme and the Saint John Arts Centre. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Saint John Community Arts Funding Program.

Questions? Please contact Ms. Leonard at 642-9575 or by email at leonardali@hotmail.com

Click here for our downloadable PDF Registration form.

Meet your instructor: Hok Kwan

Hok Kwan was born and raised in Hong Kong. He started violin lessons when he was 7 and was featured on television two years later. He performed as a soloist in Thailand in the presence of the Thai royalties at the age of 12.
A frequent prize winner at the Hong Kong Music Festivals, he was awarded a 4-year, full scholarship (tuition and maintenance) by the Hongkong Bank to study under David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music in England. In 1988 he won the Birdie Warshaw Prize for the Best Interpretation of the Solo Partitas and Sonatas by J.S. Bach, and obtained the Associateship in Violin Performance and Teaching with First Class results the following year.
He took his experiences back to Hong Kong and Asia and became an active performer and teacher. Mr. Kwan co-founded the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in 1990 as well as conducted prize-winning youth orchestras until his departure for Canada. Mr. Kwan has appeared as concerto soloist, solo recitalist, and chamber musician throughout Southeast Asia, U.K., and Canada. He has been featured in television and radio programmes on RTHK, BBC, and CBC. Mr. Kwan has been on the Music Faculty of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong School of Sacred Music. He also teaches privately and in summer music camps, coaches youth orchestras, and adjudicates. Kwan and his wife, a pianist and soprano, released their first CD album in autumn, 2003.

Currently, apart from performing and teaching, Kwan is pursuing studies in Theology.

Carnegie Concert Postponed

Please note that due to scheduling conflicts, our planned 'Homecoming Concert', originally scheduled for Saturday, June 21, has been postponed. New date TBA in the Fall.