Musician Advocate for Inclusion: Adrian Anantawan's Pursuit of Diversity in Classical Music World
Meet Adrian Anantawan, the groundbreaking Canadian violinist hailing from Mississauga, Ontario. His training in Toronto and at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, coupled with his dedication to championing the cause of disability in music, makes him a shining gem in the National Arts Centre Orchestra's tour across Korea and Japan.
Nowadays, conductor-led orchestral tours offer more than just performance parades from city to city. Top-tier ensembles like the NAC Orchestra seek to provide additional value during their journeys. During the Asian tour, on a recent Saturday, we exchanged ideas between young Canadians from the OrKidstra social development through music program and their counterparts from Korean and Japanese El Sistema programs.
Among the tour's highlight performers was Adrian Anantawan, a 43-year-old violinist born without a right hand. This extraordinary fact proves he's a marvel in the musical world, given his successful high-level education, including a master's degree from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music.
The Journey Less Traveled
So why haven't you heard more about him? Despite an extraordinary performance of Tchaikovsky's Concerto with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, captured in a film about the artist, Anantawan remains a relatively unknown figure.
Anantawan, who boasts a long association with the NAC ("they feel like a musical family to me"), has become an advocate for inclusion, as demonstrated by his collaboration in Seoul with the Heart to Heart Orchestra, an ensemble consisting of musicians living with developmental disorders. "It's about making a change in communities that are close to my heart." Musicians from the NAC Orchestra teamed up with Anantawan to mentor the young people.
Academic pursuits were also a priority for Anantawan, earning a master's degree in education at Harvard. "I began working with non-profit organizations promoting equity, giving workshops. That's how the NAC contacted me to collaborate on activities surrounding disability and musical practice during the tour."
For Further Reading
- Review | Alluring Audiences with Laureano Quant (South American laureate)
- Review | Gold Audiences for Shelley and the National Arts Centre in Seoul
Speaking the Language of Humanity
Radiant and smiling Adrian Anantawan, who found like-minded organizations in Korea, is proud to serve as an ambassador. Currently residing in Boston, he works with students with physical or cognitive disabilities and presents chamber music to the homeless.
"It's about empowering musicians with disabilities to express their humanity, which is often misunderstood," he stresses, while noting that music can also foster integration into a community for others.
During the tour's Korean leg, Anantawan partnered with pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko for a concert at the Sun Duk Won orphanage. He also collaborated with other orchestra musicians for concerts at a female orphanage and a musical creation day at ArtWeCan, an arts education initiative in Seoul.
Anantawan's career trajectory now appears to be one of education and inclusivity. If the Montreal Symphony Orchestra called him to play Mendelssohn's Concerto, he would undoubtedly accept, but the concert should also include an activity focused on disability and the promotion of musical collaboration.
Christophe Huss joins the National Arts Centre Orchestra during their Asian tour.
Did You Know?
- The Untold Story of Adrian Anantawan: Despite his many achievements, Anantawan might find greater success with increased visibility, industry support for inclusion, and continued advocacy efforts (specific sources listed elsewhere)[source]. The music industry still faces challenges related to accessibility and inclusivity for artists with disabilities[source]. Market dynamics and competition within the classical music world can sometimes overshadow individual achievements[sources 1, 2]. Anantawan's focus on advocacy and education may also lead to greater attention in these areas rather than solely on his performance career[source].
Adrian Anantawan, through his advocacy for inclusion, leverages his musical skills to promote personal growth and self-development, encouraging cultural exchange among young musicians across different nations. His collaboration with the Heart to Heart Orchestra and the various educational initiatives he's involved in, such as the OrKidstra social development program and ArtWeCan, serve as stepping stones for entertainment and entertainment-based education. Besides his successful music career, Anantawan also pursued higher education in education at Harvard, which further strengthens his commitment to fostering change in communities and promoting equity.
