“Without music, life would be a mistake”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
Ron Graner is President of Lost Music Productions, a Toronto based production company dedicated to honoring, preserving and raising public awareness of music that has been forgotten. Unearthing the works of composers such as David Nowakowsky (1848=1921) and Mykola Leontovych (1877-1921), the organization partners closely with charitable and educational foundations to see these works performed and published.
With a lifetime of experience in the entertainment industry, Ron started acting as a child and had become a professional opera singer by the age of 19. On scholarship at the Royal Conservatory of Music Opera School University of Toronto, he then completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (hons) in Theatre and Film from York University, singing his way through college, with what is now known as The Elmer Iseler Singers. He enjoyed a 30-year career internationally as an operatic soloist; served as permanent soloist with the National Chamber Orchestra of Israel and guest soloist with various major orchestras on Israeli radio and television.
In 1980 he was asked to become cantor at Edmonton Beth Shalom Synagogue, ending his term by producing a sold-out concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
Ron’s recent projects include the short film “A Forgotten Master” (2006), then in 2012, writing and producing a Broadway musical called “Musical Pawns”, which won the Audience Choice award at the FRIGID New York Theater Festival. He has also, through Lost Music Productions, produced several live concerts, an award-winning short film for BRAVO Television, the documentary: "Kathleen: A Quaker's Diary in Nazi Germany", two CBC Radio shows: "Music of a Forgotten Master" and "Louis Danto: Hidden Treasure". He has been recognized for his work with the David Nowakowsky Foundation, and his experimental film "Shchedryk" (Carol of the Bells) has enjoyed screenings and acclaim across Venice, Paris, Rome, Dawson City, Jasper, Muskoka, Thailand, New York, Toronto etc. Shchedryk was co-produced with York film-professor: Dr. Kalli Paakspuu, editor: Peter Gugeler and featured Jazz pianist and fellow York professor: Dr. Paul Hoffert, (Order of Canada).
A lifetime environmentalist, Ron served as an advisor to the City of Toronto Don Valley Brickworks Committee, and on the Metro Toronto Green Transportation Committee.
A member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada and the Toronto Council of Cantors, Ron continues to be inspired and motivated by artistry of the forgotten masters. His next project is "1921-The War Against Music," which compares the life and times of two politically repressed composers, Mykola Leontovych (Murdered by the CHEKA) and David Nowakowsky whose works were hidden from the Nazis by the French resistance. You can watch the film and hear him sing on his site: www.musicalpawns.com
International Alumni Association VIP Member Ronald E. Graner can be found on the Association Directory where he is looking forward to networking with you.
