Keith Hamm
Principal
Viola
Principal Violist Keith Hamm joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in September of 2019. Previously, he held the same position for eight seasons with the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.
A native of Rosebud, Alberta, Keith received his training at the Glenn Gould School of Music under the instruction of Steven Dann, and at the Mount Royal Conservatory with Nicholas Pulos. Other influences include Pinchas Zukerman, Mark Fewer, Richard Lester, the London Haydn Quartet, and especially formative summers at the Chamber Music Program at Le Domaine Forget.
Keith is an alumnus of the International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, the Sarasota Music Festival, and programs at the Banff Centre. He has been featured on CBC Radio, Toronto’s Classical 96.3, Minnesota Public Radio, and was named one of Canada’s Hottest 30 Classical Musicians Under 30 by CBC.
A dedicated chamber musician, Keith has shared the stage with Anssi Kartunnen, Ernst Kovacic, Richard Lester, David Geringas, and members of the Smithsonian Chamber Players. Keith has been invited to perform at the Ravinia Festival as guest violist with the Royal Conservatory’s Grammy-nominated ARC Ensemble, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, Stratford Summer Music, Sweetwater Music Festival, and Music By The Sea in Bamfield, B.C. Keith has been a guest with the Juno Award-winning Amici Ensemble and frequently performs with Continuum Contemporary Music, Skylight Series in Toronto’s Distillery District, Echo Chamber Toronto, and Stereo Live as a performer and producer.
Keith is Founder and Artistic Director of the Rosebud Chamber Music Festival in Rosebud, Alberta. He is also co-founder and violist of the Rosebud String Quartet. From 2000 to 2002, Keith was the fiddler for the Calgary Flames.