Chan Ka Nin

Chan Ka Nin, a distinguished Canadian composer and music educator of Chinese descent, was born on December third, nineteen forty-nine, in Hong Kong. At the age of fifteen, he immigrated to Canada with his family in nineteen sixty-five, eventually settling in Vancouver. After completing high school, Chan pursued his passion for music at the University of British Columbia, where he studied composition under the guidance of Jean Coulthard, while also earning degrees in electrical engineering.

Graduating from UBC in nineteen seventy-six, Chan furthered his education at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. There, he studied under Bernhard Heiden, earning both a Master of Music in nineteen seventy-eight and a Doctor of Music in nineteen eighty-three. His commitment to musical excellence led him to participate in advanced studies at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse in nineteen eighty-two.

In the same year, Chan joined the music faculty at the University of Toronto, where he continues to inspire students through courses in music theory and composition. His contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous commissions from prestigious organizations, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra, among others.

Throughout his career, Chan has received funding from various arts councils, including the Canada Council and the Ontario Arts Council, to support his compositions. His remarkable talent has earned him two Juno Awards for Best Classical Composition, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the Canadian music scene.