Announced today, one of the world’s most esteemed violinists, Gidon Kremer, has been appointed Honorary President of Toronto’s Looking at the Stars Foundation.
Established 2015, the Stars Foundation is a Toronto-based organization dedicated to bringing classical music those without access to traditional venues.
The organization recently presented an exclusive recital by Kremer for inmates of Pacific Institution Regional Treatment Centre in Abbotsford, BC.
“I was thrilled to share my music with these inmates, they were receptive, enthusiastic and I found them to be more attentive than typical concertgoers I’ve performed for,” recalled Kremer. “I am pleased to receive this honour and endorse Looking at the Stars for the incredible work they do, because music feeds the soul, it heals, and the positive emotions one feels, opens a part of them that allows them to share their feelings.”
Stars Foundation has presented over 40 events reaching 3,500+ recipients in venues across Canada and, most recently, Europe. Events include performances by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Chamber Soloists, students from The Royal Conservatory of Music Glenn Gould School, pianist Lukas Geniušas, violinist Aylen Pritchin, and pianist Darius Mažintas.
“I am thrilled to have such an acclaimed artist as Gidon Kremer accept the role and endorse our organization,” said Stars Founder Dmitri Kanovich. “I’m confident that he will continue to share our work after having experienced it as one of our guest performers. I am grateful for his generosity to perform and now share that experience globally, validating the need for such artistic expression.”
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