Andrea Hansen
Andrea Hansen retired as a full time violinist from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1999. Prior to her classical career, Hansen enjoyed a long and memorable entertainment career, working with performers like Glen Gould, Arthur Godfrey, Guy Hansen’s, Guy Lombardo and George Burns. Today, Hansen’s extensive classical career and entertainment charm have uniquely positioned her as a “magical educator” someone who touches others profoundly and irrevocably.
In 1988 Hansen co-founded Strings Across the Sky, a not-for-profit association destined to inspire a passion for learning through the art of fiddling. Hansen returns to Arctic communities annually, volunteering her time and inspiring new musicians. In 2003, Hansen launched a similar program intended to stimulate a passion for learning amongst aboriginal children in more southern located northern communities.
Born to Finnish parents in Kenora Ontario, Hansen was a child prodigy. She performed her first radio broadcast at the age of 4. By the age of 8 Hansen debuted in Toronto Massey Hall. For fifteen years she and her older sister Florence played the violin as part of a nightclub act, The “Hansen Sisters”. Then in 1967 the sisters took their final bows and Andrea returned to her classical roots, first joining the Montreal Symphony and a decade later, the Toronto Symphony.
In 1987 the Toronto Symphony took their Canadian Odyssey tour to the Western Arctic. It was during this tour, in Inuvik, that Hansen initiated and later developed her remarkable project. Touched by a young girl who asked, “Will we ever see you again?” Hansen has directed her considerable talent, energy and skill to delivering over 200 donated fiddles to Northern communities and teaching youngsters how to play them. Her vision, determination and generosity coupled with her ability to teach quickly and effectively are changing the world one student at a time. In 1999, this great Ambassador of Music received The Order of Canada. In 2002, Andrea was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal. In 2005, Andrea was honoured with The Order of Ontario.
Andrea sits as a member of The Academic Council of the Royal Conservatory of Music and is a frequent guest lecturer in return for donations to Strings Across The Sky to return both fiddling, and Andrea, to the north.
Andrea Hansen was born in Kenora, Ontario of Finnish parents. She taught herself on “spoon fiddles” until her parents succumbed to their daughter’s desire and started her on violin lessons at age 3. Introduced to violinist Fritz Kreisler at the age of seven, she was inspired by this great musician and by the musical gift passed on to her by her grandfather in Finland - the Cobbler. Her first public performance was on the radio at age four.
Her studies continued in Sarnia and Toronto, with full scholarships awarded by the Kiwanis Festival, the CNE Music Competition and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
At age sixteen Andrea began a professional career with her sister. The Hansen Sisters were launched on the CBC television show, Pick-The-Stars. This led to the Arthur Godfrey Show and many other appearances. A highlight of their Supper Club engagements was being featured with Guy Lombardo at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas.
Winding up their career as The Hansen Sisters at Expo ‘67, Andrea re-entered the classical world as a violinist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Ten years later she returned to Toronto and became a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra retiring in 1999.
In 1988 Andrea co-founded Strings Across the Sky. For fifteen years she has been traveling on ice roads, small planes and boats through blinding snowstorms and under frigid skies, doing just about everything she can, to touch over 400 northern students with her special magic of teaching the fiddle.
Andrea was appointed a member of the Canada Council in 1991 and she received the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal for her significant contribution to Canada. In 1999 she was appointed to the Order of Canada. In 2002 Andrea received The Golden Jubilee Medal. in 2005 Andrea was honoured with The Order of Ontario. She continues her contributions today as Artistic Director and Co-founder of the Strings Across the Sky Foundation.
Andrea Hansen