Marc-Andre Hamelin, an internationally recognized classical pianist, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa, at the 12:30 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, June 16, “in recognition of an outstanding career as a Canadian classical pianist.”
Marc-Andre Hamelin was described in the International Piano Quarterly as “one of the most adventurous and courageous pianists of recent times.” Alive with detail, inner transparency, and concentrated emotion, Hamelin’s performances often make the piano and its mechanisms seem to fall away, leaving an ideal realization of the music that is communicated directly to his audiences.
Marc-Andre Hamelin has toured extensively all over North America and Europe, performing in recitals, festivals, and with renowned orchestras under the great conductors of our time. He is also a prolific recording artist, having recorded the music of countless composers on Hyperion Records.
Hamelin was the winner of the 1985 Carnegie Hall International Competition of American Music and the 2000 Gramophone Instrumental Award and has received multiple Grammy nominations for his recordings.
Marc-Andre Hamelin was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003 and a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Quebec in 2004. Born in Montreal, Hamelin studied at the Vincent d’Indy School of Music and Temple University in Philadelphia (B.Mus, M.Mus.), where he now resides.