WIIKWEMKOONG—It might take talent to become an accomplished classical pianist—but talent pales in comparison to hard work and determination, and of course, practice, practice, practice. Wiikwemkoong’s Mason Animikwan has plenty of the two former attributes and is no slouch when it comes to the third.
Mr. Animikwan, a recent Manitoulin Secondary School graduate, has completed his Grade 8 Conservatory exams—with flying colours. Not only did he reach that august level, but he also placed first, 95 for his original and 88 for the Ballad and was the only entry in the ARTC category, the highest level in the Royal Conservatory of Music pantheon of recognition. What makes this achievement all the more remarkable for a young man is that he climbed the rungs of that ladder in three years—an accomplishment that usually takes people nine or 10 years.
The young classical pianist has been playing for seven years and studied under the late Robert Horvath, himself a graduate of the renown Franz Liszt Academy of Music.
Right now, Mr. Animikwan keeps himself busy playing at church in his home community and teaching a bit on the side, but this coming September he will be attending Centennial College’s music program—one of, if not the top, music programs in the nation.
“I’ve had a lot of help along the way,” said Mr. Animikwan, who travelled across the Island to attend the MSS music program. It is in no small part his experience that has led to Wiikwemkoong High School’s plans to start their own music program.
Before heading off to school in the fall, Mr. Animikwan will be spending some time staying with a friend in Vienna, Austria—a storied city when it comes to classical music composers, being once the home of Mr. Animikwan’s musical hero Beethoven, as well as Hayden, Mozart, Schubert and a veritable host of members of the famed Strauss family just to drop a few ivory tinkling names.
“Beethoven is my favourite,” he said. “He was the one who suffered the most yet still followed the music. He was the only composer who went completely deaf.”
Mr. Animikwan has not been without his own challenges. He admits the loss of his mentor and teacher, Mr. Horvath, to cancer was a devastating blow—almost leading to his giving up his dream. But the lure of the ivories proved stronger than grief and the young pianist has channeled his emotion into his music.
Passion is key when it comes to separating the wheat from the chaff when it comes to playing classical music, notes Mr. Animikwan. It is one of the lessons he learned from his late master, “you can play the wrong note all you want—but to play without passion is inexcusable.”
If you are curious about what Mr. Animikwan’s playing is like, you can catch a special Mothers’ Day performance on May 10 at Holy Cross Church in Wiikwemkoong—or pop by his YouTube channel “Mason Animikwan” where you can catch a rendition of his original work Nocturne in F sharp major. He also plays a pretty mean rendition of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ on the guitar as well.
In the meantime, Mr. Animikwan is already following in his late mentor’s footsteps by sharing his talents through teaching. He can be reached at 705-859-1293 or Mason.Animikwan@gmail.com.
