Acclaimed pianist Cole Knutson at his concert at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish on June 9. He is planning two more concerts in the Battlefords in August. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Summer recital series

NB musical prodigy reaches goal, planning two more concerts

Jun 16, 2019 | 8:56 AM

Cole Knutson is hitting all the right notes when it comes to reaching for a star in his musical career.

He was recently accepted for a scholarship to study in a classical piano Artists Masters program at prestigious London, U.K., university: The Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

The North Battleford prodigy managed to raise enough funds from community donations, benefactors’ support and grants for which he applied to cover his living expenses and visa application costs for the next two years while he studies overseas starting this Fall. He raised about $60,000 in total.

“I have been so lucky to have raised such generous support from so many people,” Knutson said.

“We’re labelled as crime town,” he added. “Although maybe our crime rate was high per capita, I feel like this is a wonderful and nurturing place for the arts, and for other areas as well.”

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Knutson said he is “completely blown away” by how people came together to help make his dream come true.

The humble artist has been living in North Battleford for the past year to recover from a head injury he sustained after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle in Austria where he had been studying music previously.

He managed to take on various jobs and volunteered during his time at home. Now he is ready to take the next step in his formal training in music.

After performing in Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2017, Knutson hopes to one day have a successful career in music on the world stage.

The young pianist gave a concert at St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish in North Battleford on June 9 and is planning two more summer recitals.

“It’s great; I love it,” he said of the positive response from the community.

Knutson performed a solo piano recital and as part of a trio with Jeanny Jung on violin, and Zaide Masich on cello at the recent show.

For his next concert, he will give a full piano recital, again with Jung on violin and Masich on cello. He is then planning a show with award-winning Canadian baritone opera singer Jonah Spungin who will perform a selection of English art song and German Lieder song. Both events will be in August with the details still to be confirmed. Admission again will be by donation.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW