August 03, 2006 -

Toronto -- Internationally renowned violinist, violist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman will serve as Mentor in the music discipline of the 2006-2007 cycle of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. Zukerman will be the first instrumentalist to serve as a Mentor in the biennial programme that was launched in 2002.

The Israeli-born Zukerman, widely acclaimed for his musical genius, regularly conducts and performs with the world’s leading orchestras. Since 1998, he has served as music director of the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, where he now lives. A frequent chamber music performer, Zukerman, who leads the Zukerman Chamber Players, often appears with such musical luminaries as Itzhak Perlman. His prolific discography numbers more than 100 releases and includes 21 Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards: “Best Chamber Music Performance” in 1980 and “Best Classical Performance – International Soloist with Orchestra” in 1981.

The first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence, Pinchas Zukerman is known for his commitment to music education as well as for his brilliant technique. He initiated the NAC Young Artists and Conductors Programmes and chairs the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Programme at the famed Manhattan School of Music.

Pinchas Zukerman joins five other internationally celebrated figures – visual artist John Baldessari, author Tahar Ben Jelloun, choreographer and dancer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, film director Stephen Frears and theatre artist Julie Taymor – in giving time, energy and wisdom to a rising generation of artists during the third cycle of the Rolex Arts Initiative.

“We are fortunate in having such a formidable musical talent as Pinchas Zukerman participate in the Rolex Arts Initiative,” said Patrick Heiniger, Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA. “He joins a growing family of artistic greats who are lending their expertise as creators and nurturers to the younger generation. The programme will benefit greatly from his genius and generosity.”

The international philanthropic Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative seeks out promising young artists in a wide range of art forms and pairs them with recognised masters in their discipline for a year of creative collaboration in a one-to-one mentoring relationship.

“I am honoured to be chosen as the first instrumentalist for the exciting Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative,” Pinchas Zukerman said. “This is an important step in developing new talent by providing them with wonderful opportunities. It is very encouraging to see a company with the high standards and values of Rolex sharing important cultural knowledge and fostering creativity within the next generation.”

“Rolex Canada is very pleased to have the celebrated Pinchas Zukerman contribute personally to the development of a new talent”, said Victor Royce, CEO of Rolex Canada Ltd. “Zukerman has for many years taken part in educational programs which encourage talented young people and his protégé will benefit greatly from his enthusiasm and knowledge.”

Over the next few weeks, Rolex will be assembling a new music Nominating Panel to identify candidates to serve as Pinchas Zukerman’s Protégé.

For further information:
Sylvie Worsley
Manager, Marketing and Communication
Rolex Canada Ltd
50 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON M4V 3B7
(416) 968-1100
sylvie.worsley@rolex.com

Jayne Watson
Director, Communications and Public Affairs
National Arts Centre
53 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1
Tel: (613) 947-7000 ext 260
JWatson@nac.cna.ca