Andrew Chan

Applauded by the National Post as “a rare charisma”, Canadian harpist Andrew Chan has performed across Canada, USA, and in Asia as a solo, orchestral and chamber musician.

Chan teaches at the Harps on the Hill School in Markham, a specialized harp school that is populated by students widely range from age 3 to retirees. He also teaches at his private studio in Toronto.

A school of an international population of harp students since 2012, Harps on the Hill has hosted masterclasses by faculty members from world-renowned music institutions including Juilliard, Eastman, Yale, Peabody, Glen Gould School, and other international harpists. Students of all ages are attracted from far and close all around Ontario. Visiting students have come from across Canada, Australia, China, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Spain and USA.

Since 2000, countless of Chan's students have been winners of various awards, scholarships and auditions. Many of his students were inspired to pursue the harp professionally. Acceptances with extensive scholarship packages (through competitive auditions) have been offered to his students by prestigious university programs, including the Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Colburn School, Indiana University, McGill, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Peabody Institute of Music, Temple University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and others. Other acceptance offers to his students have come from the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Numerous of his students from age 3 have been awarded Honours with Distinction and Gold medals by the Royal Conservatory of Music Examination for every available Level (Grade 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ARCT); including students who completed the Grade 10 level by or before the age of 11. For over 10 years, his students were consistent audition winners for the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra, and others.

Five of his Youth Students have been featured as concerto soloists; four of his Adult Students succeeded in their personal goals to become Certified Music Practitioner to provide therapeutic music. Many others have been active freelancing around Ontario.

Triptych, a collection of Chan’s original compositions, has been published and sold worldwide by Lyon & Healy Publications (Chicago). His “The Orchestral Harpist Volume 1 to 4” offer practical solutions to a wide selection of orchestral excerpts. His “Bach Revisited” features his modified versions of 12 classic Bach transcriptions for better play-ability. Chan's other publications include “Mendelssohn on Harp” featuring his transcriptions, and “Technique Builders for Harp” that offers insight to develop solid harp-playing technique.

Harp teachers, schools and organizations from around Canada and oversea have sought Chan’s advice on teaching and developing their own harp studios. He credits his inspiration from his teachers, they include his early studies with the legendary Alice Chalifoux (Principal Harp, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra) in multiple summers at the prestigious Salzedo School (Maine, USA); and world-renowned solo harpist Catherine Michel (Principal Harp, Orchestre National de I’Opéra de Paris) in Paris, France.

As an orchestral musician, Chan performed successfully for 10 seasons as principal harp under the baton of the late Kerry Stratton, who repeatedly featured him as a soloist performing concertos by Debussy (2014, 2018), Handel (2013, 2018), Ravel (2014), and Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto (2017 tour). He continues to appear as a concerto soloist with orchestras in Ontario.

Chan is the founder and Artistic Director of the Toronto International Harp Festival where he unites harpists from around the world and elevates the presence of the harp in Canada as an art form. He performs on the "Salvi Signature" harp, a one-of-a-kind model made of 23-karat gold and precious Ziricote wood. It was the last masterpiece left behind by the late renowned Victor Salvi of Italy after 60 years of harp-making. His collection of harps includes rare, historical harps by Erard and Pleyel.

Chan resides in Toronto and enjoys collecting paintings and various artworks.

Visit:
www.acharp.com
www.iHarpFest.com