William Fedkenheuer

violin

Canadian-American Violinist William Fedkenheuer is the newly appointed Artistic Director of the Toronto Summer Music festival. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Mr. Fedkenheuer is celebrated internationally as a performer, educator, and arts consultant. He brings more than 25 years of experience at the highest levels of chamber music, including his work with the Miró, Fry Street, and Borromeo String Quartets.

He has performed on many of the world’s most prestigious stages, from Carnegie Hall and Esterházy Castle to Suntory Hall and the Library of Congress, and collaborated with renowned artists such as Leon Fleisher, Audra McDonald, Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Wu Man, Sasha Cooke, Midori, Caroline Shaw, and Kevin Puts. His discography includes the Grammy-nominated albums Home and House of Belonging, as well as a benchmark Beethoven cycle with the Miró Quartet.

Mr. Fedkenheuer’s early career was shaped by his roots in Canadian fiddle traditions – he was named a Canadian National Fiddle Champion in 1989, and he made his solo debut with the Calgary Philharmonic at age 17. He studied at Rice and Indiana Universities and spent formative summers at Tanglewood, the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute, and the Music Academy of the West.

Currently a member of the Miró Quartet, Mr. Fedkenheuer serves as Professor of Practice in Violin and Chamber Music at The University of Texas’s Butler School of Music, where he co-directs the Young Professional String Quartet Program and mentors emerging artists. When not traveling, he lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Leah, their two sons Max and Olli, and their dogs, Frizzy and Lola. For more information, see williamfed.com.