Kinan Azmeh / Dinuk Wijeratne

Jazz + Classical | Syria

Kinan Azmeh

Hailed as a “virtuoso” by the New York Times and “engagingly flamboyant” by the L.A. Times, Kinan Azmeh is one of Syria’s rising stars. His utterly distinctive sound is now fast gaining international recognition. Born in Damascus, Kinan was the first Arab to win the premier prize at the 1997 Nicolai Rubinstein International Competition, Moscow. A graduate of New York's Juilliard School, and of both the High Institute of Music and Damascus University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Kinan is currently a doctoral music student of Charles Neidich at the City University of New York. Kinan has appeared worldwide as a soloist and composer. Compositions include several works for solo, orchestra, and chamber music; film, live illustration, and electronics. His recordings include two albums with his ensemble HEWAR, and several soundtracks for film and dance.

DINUK WIJERATNE

As one of the most eclectic talents of Canada's new generation, Sri Lankan-born Dinuk Wijeratne was recently praised by the CBC as an artist “internationally respected for his virtuosity and sensitivity as a musician”. In redefining the sound of the piano he has been captivating audiences with his poetry and imagination. Dinuk is a graduate in composition, piano and conducting from the Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Mannes College (NYC), and the Juilliard School. A former student of John Corigliano, Dinuk has composed specially for almost all of the artists and ensembles with whom he has performed.

A truly versatile artist, Dinuk has conducted the National Arts Centre Orchestra and, appeared many times with Symphony Nova Scotia during his 3-year appointment as Conductor-in-Residence. He is presently Music Director of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, and has received numerous international grants and awards.