At the age of 18, Ryan Howland already has an impressive list of accomplishments.
He’s studied under some of the best violinists in the world and published his first autobiography about his path to becoming a soloist.
Now the former Victoria resident is about to tick off a few more items from his bucket list — performing as a soloist at Symphony Splash and completing his degree in music in Germany.
RELATED: Local violinist to study in Germany.
Growing up in a musically talented family – his mother taught piano at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, while his father, Brad, is the principal trombonist with the Victoria Symphony – Howland’s passion for the violin began at a young age.
In his youth, Howland busked on the streets of downtown Victoria, eventually earned enough money to pay for a trip to Switzerland to study under world-famous Russian violinist, Zakhar Bron, when he was 13 years old. For the past two years he has been studying under Russian violinist and conductor Viktor Tretyakov at the International Blackmore Music Academy in Berlin, and has played numerous concerts in Europe, with his school and as a soloist.
Beginning this fall, he’s be taking his studies to the next level, completing his bachelor degree in music at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and studying under violinist, Ulrich Edelmann.
“I’m excited. It’s a big city,” said Howland, adding he enjoys playing classical pieces by Niccolo Paganini and Johann Sebastian Bach. “[Ulrich Edclanann] is trying to show me the best way to find my own sense of the music, looking past the technical aspect … He’s trying to show me how much deeper you can go with the music itself.”
Now, Howland is excited to return to Victoria next month for Symphony Splash – his first trip home since he left for Germany two years ago – and perform at a concert that he grew up watching with his parents.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve always felt closer to it [the symphony]. Now I finally get to play with them, so it’s even more special,” Howland said.
The 28th annual Symphony Splash, which includes a performance by eight-year-old Felipe Jiang, the youngest soloist to performance in the event’s history, takes place in Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Sunday, Aug. 6.
WATCH: Victoria Symphony music director maestro Christian Kluxen talks about the 28th annual Symphony Splash.
Howland is also playing a fundraising concert at the First Metropolitan United Church (932 Balmoral Rd.), where he’ll be performing pieces by Johannes Brahm, Mozart and Bach, alongside pianist Jannie Burdeti.
The concert takes place Friday, Aug. 11, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students, and can be purchased at Long & McQuade, Ivy’s Bookshop or at the door.
Howland will be using the funds to help pay for his studies in Frankfurt. For more information, email howland.art.music@gmail.com.