I have played the violin for 58 years and I continue to be amazed at how it sounds like a human voice singing. It is magical the way it can almost sound human. When played well by an experienced performer, the violin is such a powerful, expressive and colourful instrument that it commands attention. But it is also an instrument that loves to play with others and is the largest section of any symphony orchestra. It is a challenging instrument to learn how to play. But that challenge is what makes it so worthwhile! – Peggy Hills
Awards
• Winner of the 2004 Laurie Pallet Award for Lifetime Achievment in the Arts
• 2006 JUNO award nomination for Best Children’s Album for Peggy’s Violin, A Butterfly in Time
• One of 10 finalists of 1,200 active and retired teachers from across Canada who were nominated for the Thank A Teacher Award
Musical Education
1965, Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
1967 and 1968 National Youth Orchestra of Canada
1971 Beethoven Master Class with Max Rostal Koln, Germany
1972 Max Rostal Master Class, Berne, Switzerland
1973 Bachelor of Music Degree, University of Western Ontario
1974-75 Private studies with Ivan Galamian at Julliard
1975 Chigiana Academy of Music, Sienna, Italy (Master Classes with Salvatore Accardo)
1976 International String Workshop, Cambridge, England (Pedagogy classes with Paul Roland)
2005 Banff Chamber Music Residency
Teachers
Ralph Aldrich (viola)
Gwen Thompson (violin)
Ivan Galamian
Teaching
Private Studio teaching since 1973 (65-100 students each week)