James Ehnes

Who is James Ehnes?

James Ehnes, CM FRSC is a Canadian concert violinist.

The son of Alan Ehnes, long time trumpet professor at Brandon University and Barbara Withey Ehnes, former ballerina with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Ruth Page's International Ballet, and Chicago Ballet, and former director of the Brandon School of Dance, James Ehnes began his violin studies at the age of four and at age nine became a protégé of the noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. He studied with Sally Thomas at the Meadowmount School of Music and from 1993 to 1997 at The Juilliard School, winning the Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music upon his graduation.

Praised as "the Jascha Heifetz of our day", James Ehnes has performed in over 30 countries on five continents, appearing regularly in the world’s great concert halls and with many of the most celebrated orchestras and conductors. He has a total of 33 recordings released through 2013. His recordings have won numerous awards and prizes, including 9 Junos, a Grammy, and a Gramophone Award. An avid chamber musician, Ehnes tours with his string quartet, the Ehnes Quartet, and is Artistic Director of the Seattle Chamber Music Society.