MESSAGE
FROM THE DIRECTOR
OCTOBER 2026
Dear Friends,
The arts give us something essential: a reason to gather, an invitation to listen, and a window into another person’s imagination. Live performance deepens connection, reminding us that curiosity, empathy, and joy are vital to healthy communities.
At Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM), we enter the 2026–27 season with renewed purpose: championing creative ambition, welcoming new listeners, and bringing extraordinary artists to communities of every size.
We are delighted to welcome Opera Revue to the AKAM roster. Bold, inventive, and wonderfully irreverent, this forward-thinking group brings exceptional singing into unexpected settings. Through humour, theatricality, and surprise, they invite audiences to discover opera afresh.
Another highlight is a special recital project pairing distinguished Canadian pianist Jane Coop with Henry Shapard, Co-Principal Cello of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Celebrating their newly released all-Beethoven recording, Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations for Piano & Cello, their collaboration brings shared musical insight and intergenerational energy to this extraordinary repertoire.
We proudly celebrate Anagnoson & Kinton’s 50th anniversary season, honouring five decades of a remarkable musical partnership sustained by trust, imagination, and discovery. Looking ahead, plans are underway to mark the Gryphon Trio’s 35th anniversary in 2027–28—another exciting milestone in Canadian chamber music.
Across our roster, expressive performances, imaginative programming, and vibrant energy reveal artists honouring their craft while expanding its possibilities. The future of the arts depends on what we make possible together. Every engagement, partnership, and audience member helps create a cultural life where artists can take risks, traditions evolve, and new voices emerge.
Thank you to our artists, presenters, collaborators, and audiences for sharing this commitment.
With gratitude and anticipation,
ANDREW KWAN
Director,
Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc.
ABOUT
ANDREW KWAN
ARTISTS MANAGEMENT INC.
Founded in 1991, Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM) champions exceptional Canadian classical and culturally diverse artists through representation, career development, touring, and promotion. Based in Toronto, we connect artists with presenters, orchestras, festivals, and communities across Canada and internationally.
Our work begins with a belief in the power of live performance to bring people together. Through enduring partnerships and imaginative programming, we help artists develop meaningful opportunities and support presenters in creating memorable experiences for their audiences. Our approach combines artistic ambition with practical planning, personal attention, and a deep understanding of the performing arts sector.
Our commitment extends to concert production. For 17 seasons, AKAM has produced the Mazzoleni Masters concert series for The Glenn Gould School, bringing distinguished artists and thoughtfully curated programs to audiences while contributing to the school’s vibrant musical life.
We also contribute to the collective strength of our profession. AKAM served as a founding member of AASPAA Canada (Agences des arts de la scène / Performing Arts Agencies Canada), a national Canadian association founded in February 2021 to represent and support artist agents, managers, and performing arts administrators. This involvement reflects our commitment to collaboration, advocacy, and a sustainable future for artists and the organizations that support them.
Advising emerging artists remains central to our work. Through mentorship, teaching, and professional consultation, we help musicians clarify their artistic identity, strengthen their promotional materials, understand the presenting landscape, and make informed career decisions. We bring decades of experience to these conversations, encouraging artists to build careers grounded in both creative purpose and practical knowledge.
From an emerging ensemble’s first opportunities to a celebrated artist’s anniversary season, AKAM brings care, experience, and imagination to every partnership—helping artistic excellence reach audiences and thrive.
DIRECTOR
ANDREW J. KWAN,
B.A., ARCT, FTCL, FCSI
Experience, relationships, and a commitment to the arts
Andrew brings more than three decades of experience in artist management, concert production, and music education. His connections across arts organisations, academic institutions, government agencies, and national associations inform an approach grounded in collaboration and practical knowledge. His work includes producing more than 100 Mazzoleni Masters concerts for The Glenn Gould School, and he has received three “Agent of the Year” awards.
Education and mentorship are integral to our commitment to the profession. Alongside lecturing at leading music schools, Andrew develops curricula, leads workshops, and advises musicians on career planning and professional development. His guidance helps emerging and established artists translate their creative ambitions into sustainable careers.
Through service on arts boards, strategic planning committees, competition juries, and granting panels, Andrew also contributes to the wider performing arts community. These activities strengthen AKAM’s understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing artists and presenters today.
Founded by Andrew Kwan in 1991, Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc. (AKAM) supports exceptional musicians through personalised career development, artist promotion, touring, and project management. Our work in classical and culturally diverse music connects a distinguished roster—including Grammy-nominated artists, JUNO Award winners, and international competition laureates—with presenters and audiences across Canada and abroad.
At the heart of AKAM is a belief that lasting artistic careers grow through thoughtful guidance, trusted relationships, and opportunities that reflect each artist’s individual strengths. We work closely with artists and presenting partners to develop projects that inspire audiences and contribute to a vibrant cultural life.
We bring this experience to every partnership, combining artistic insight with careful planning and an excitement for live performances.
LINKS
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS
University of Toronto – Faculty of Music
The Glenn Gould School
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
The Canada Council for the Arts
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