Edmond Agopian, first violin

Violinist and conductor Edmond Agopian began his violin training in Constantza, Romania where along with classical studies at the Music Lyceum, he performed and toured with a taraf- a Romanian folk music ensemble. After immigrating to Canada he continued his musical studies at the University of Toronto (BMus), the Juilliard School (MMus-Violin) and the Masterplayers Music Academy, Switzerland (Honours Diploma-Conducting). In 1991 Mr. Agopian relinquished his posts as professor and conductor at Acadia University and Music Director of the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra, to take up positions as Professor of Violin and Music Director of the university's orchestra at the University of Calgary, and Artist-in-Residence at the Conservatory of Mount Royal University. Since 2002 he has also been Music Director of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, Mount Royal University Conservatory. In 2005 he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal "in recognition of outstanding achievements and service to the people and province of Alberta". At the University of Calgary he was awarded the J. P. L. Roberts Distinguished Professorship in Fine Arts.
For thirteen seasons he was Music Director/Concertmaster of Calgary's professional string orchestra, the Kensington Sinfonia, and has been featured as conductor and violinist on CBC Radio, Radio Europa, Portuguese National Radio and Taiwan National Radio. Conducting work has included performances with the Canadian Chamber Orchestra (conductor and concertmaster), the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor and soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
 He is the first violin of the UCalgary String Quartet, which has recently released a recording entitled Far Behind I Left My Country-Klezmer and East European folk music, composed and arranged by Edmond Agopian. The recording, on the American label MSR Classics was selected for the Instrumental Group of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Western Canadian Music Awards, and has received enthusiastic reviews from radio broadcasters and magazines including Fanfare Magazine (USA). Recently, the quartet completed performances of the entire Beethoven string quartet cycle- a first in Calgary.
A champion of Canadian music, he has premiered dozens of works by Canadian composers, including works he has himself commissioned, and as past member of the New Works Calgary Ensemble. His performances have been broadcast on regional and national CBC radio programs as well as radio programs in Asia and Europe. Of his violin playing, the Toronto Star critic wrote: "His performance...was a triumph both of technique and integration."; "...he not only revealed the great charm of the work (Bruch, Violin Concerto in G minor), but his own musical integrity as well"-Halifax Chronicle Herald; "...dramatic heart-felt playing with biting rhythmic emphasis. His pitch and tone were immaculate..."-Calgary Herald
Agopian has been on the faculty of the Morningside Music Bridge International Festival at Mount Royal University Conservatory since its inception in 1997, and is the founder and artistic director of the University of Calgary summer chamber music festival, Contrasts.
Prof. Agopian's violin method The No Time to Practice Technique Companion has been on the Shar Music Company's bestseller list since its publication (sharmusic.com); "...original exercises that keep your physical and mental skills sharp..."-American String Teacher
His first violin teacher, Constantin Anghel, was a Romanian Gypsy who was his mentor in two musical cultures: the stringent, methodical, Classical violin school, and the "play by ear" folk tradition. After immigrating to Canada, Edmond Agopian continued to play with various folk bands, including the Rembetika Hipsters. In a review of his performance at a folk music festival he was described as the "dynamite Romanian fiddler Edmond Agopian."-Penguin Eggs-Canada's Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine