MESSAGE
FROM THE DIRECTOR
SEPTEMBER 2025
Dear Friends,
In a world that continues to shift beneath our feet, live performance remains one of the few constants that brings communities together—heart to heart, moment by moment. At Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM), we remain profoundly grateful for the privilege of supporting extraordinary artists whose work uplifts, inspires, and reaffirms the human need for connection.
Music is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It speaks when words fall short, offering beauty in complexity, solace in chaos, and courage in silence. In these times of recalibration and redefinition, the role of the artist has never been more essential. Our roster—brilliant, bold, and deeply committed—continues to shape the evolving narrative of Canadian classical music with authenticity and vision.
From the expressive clarity of pianists like Jane Coop, or Lucille Chung, or Philip Chiu, to the boundary-pushing innovation of the Gryphon Trio, to the electrifying energy of TorQ Percussion Quartet and the groundbreaking artistry of Solidaridad Tango—each artist we represent is forging new paths while honouring the timeless power of their craft.
We are not just representing artists—we are fostering cultural legacies, nurturing creative voices, and championing artistic courage. At AKAM, we believe that every concert, every note, every applause shared in community is an act of hope and a statement of resilience.
Thank you for continuing this journey with us. Your belief in live performance—and in the artists who dedicate their lives to it—makes our work possible and our world more vibrant.
With gratitude and anticipation,
ANDREW KWAN
Director, AKAM
ABOUT
ANDREW KWAN
ARTISTS MANAGEMENT INC.
Founded in 1991, Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM) is a leading Canadian agency dedicated to representing some of the country’s most exceptional classical musicians and ensembles. With over three decades of experience, we proudly serve as advocates, collaborators, and creative partners to artists who are shaping the future of live performance in Canada and beyond.
Led by founder and director Andrew J. Kwan, a respected voice in Canada’s cultural sector, AKAM is more than a management agency—it’s a platform where artistry meets opportunity. We connect visionary performers with presenters, audiences, and institutions, helping bring bold ideas and powerful stories to the stage.
Whether supporting national tours, international engagements, interdisciplinary collaborations, or community outreach, we are committed to championing artistic integrity, cultural relevance, and sustainable careers. Through it all, we remain focused on what matters most: the music, the artists, and the shared experience of live performance.
DIRECTOR
ANDREW J. KWAN, B.A., ARCT, FTCL, FCSI
With over three decades of experience in the performing arts, Andrew J. Kwan is one of Canada’s most respected and influential artist managers. As founder and director of Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM), he has built a highly regarded agency known for personalized career development, strategic promotion, and visionary project management for Canada’s most gifted classical and world music artists.
Mr. Kwan has been directly involved in over 4,000 performances worldwide, helping guide the careers of some of the country’s most acclaimed and innovative musicians. His work has earned national recognition, including CAPACOA’s Agent of the Year (2014), Ontario Contact’s Agent of the Year (2013), and BC Touring Council’s Agent of the Year (2011). He also produced over 100 concerts for The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Mazzoleni Masters series and authored 15 Minutes and Counting: A Guide to Showcasing Successfully, commissioned by Debut Atlantic.
Beyond artist management, Andrew is a sought-after educator, speaker, and thought leader in the cultural sector. He is currently on faculty at The Glenn Gould School, and the University of Toronto. His past academic affiliations include National Youth Orchestra of Canada and Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of Music. A passionate mentor, he has served on juries and advisory committees for national granting agencies, music competitions, and postsecondary institutions, including Centennial College, where he chaired the Program Advisory Committee for its Music Industry Arts and Performance Program (2012–2017).
Andrew is a founding member of AASPAA Canada and serves on the boards of Prairie Debut and Axis Music, while actively supporting charitable and community initiatives. A frequent conference speaker and panelist across North America, he continues to shape conversations around cultural policy, industry evolution, and professional development for emerging artists.
Mr. Kwan holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a Non-Profit Management & Leadership Diploma from York University and completed a Fellowship from the Canadian Securities Institute. In music, he earned an ARCT in Piano Performance from The Royal Conservatory, and both LTCL and FTCL designations from Trinity College London. His musical foundation began under the guidance of his mother and was nurtured through his years at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Choir School.
Known for his strategic vision, deep industry insight, and unwavering dedication to his artists, Andrew J. Kwan remains a driving force in Canadian classical music—an advocate, mentor, and builder of enduring careers.
LINKS
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS
University of Toronto – Faculty of Music
The Glenn Gould School
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
The Canada Council for the Arts
