Robert Uchida - Longshadow 2024 co-Director

Robert’s Bio as Longshadow Co-Director (for 3 years!)

Hey Robert, why do you love coming to Yellowknife?

There are three main reasons I love YK! 

1. Hanging out with Carmen!

2. The privilege of getting to see and perform in one of Canada's most Northern and beautiful cities! It is such a treat to collaborate with the amazing local artists in YK. Our quartet is soooo looking forward to working with Cassandra, LJJ, Ryan, Kay, Rob, and Andrew!

3. Bullock's Bistro! I cannot write enough about the pan fried Arctic Char. I usually make a reservation several months before the trip!

Robert’s Bio as a Violinist

Canadian violinist Robert Uchida, Concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, enjoys a varied career as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician, and educator. His debut recording of Andrew Violette’s Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin won international acclaim, with Strings Magazine praising his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity.”

Before joining the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Robert was Concertmaster of Symphony Nova Scotia in Halifax, where he performed on a Juno-nominated recording with Sarah Slean, and recorded Requiem 21.5: Violin Concerto by Tim Brady, which won Classical Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. As a guest concertmaster, he has worked with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Robert has been a soloist with orchestras across Canada. He has taught and performed at festivals and venues including the Arizona MusicFest, Bargemusic (New York), Banff Centre, Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto), Lincoln Center (New York), Music by the Sea (B.C.), National Academy Orchestra, National Arts Centre, Scotia Festival, Sewanee Music Festival (Tennessee), Queen Elizabeth Hall (Antwerp), and was Artistic Director of the Acadia Summer Strings Festival from 2010-2013.

A passionate teacher, Robert serves on the faculty at the University of Alberta and has held teaching positions at Acadia University, the National Arts Centre Young Artists Program, and the Manhattan School of Music Precollege.

Robert loves volunteering and is honoured to have been inducted into the Ronald McDonald House’s Character Club in Edmonton. He performs on the “de Long Tearse” Guadagnini with Vision Solo Titanium strings by Thomastik-Infeld Vienna.