Violin Master Class with Adrian Anantawan
Adrian Anantawan is a violinist, educator, disability advocate, and cultural leader whose work bridges artistic excellence, access, and social impact. Born without a right hand, he has built an international career as a performer and speaker, appearing at the White House, the United Nations, and the opening ceremonies of the Athens and Vancouver Olympic Games, and performing for Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, and the late Christopher Reeve. He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and has studied with Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Anantawan is Associate Professor of Strings at Berklee College of Music and Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston, with teaching appointments at Harvard University and Milton Academy. He helped create the Virtual Chamber Music Initiative at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and founded the Music Inclusion Program, advancing adaptive music-making opportunities for young people with disabilities. His work centers disability not as limitation, but as a vital source of creativity, identity, and artistic leadership.
In recent years, Anantawan has gained national attention for his leadership in disability arts and music inclusion, including his work with Berklee’s Music Inclusion Ensemble, a groundbreaking community of disabled musicians and allies supported by a Newbury Fellowship. His recent honors include The Kennedy Center Next 50, the Marylou Speaker Churchill Award from New England Conservatory, the 2025 Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities from Americans for the Arts, selection as a 2025 Brother Thomas Fellow by the Boston Foundation and Pucker Gallery, and an Honorary Fellowship from The Royal Conservatory of Music.
A Juno Award nominee, Terry Fox Hall of Fame inductee, and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, Anantawan continues to perform, teach, and speak internationally as a leading voice for disability, artistry, and inclusion in music.
Master Classes are open to the public to observe free of charge.
Photo by Justin Anantawan
