If Canadian violinist Daniel Dastoor actually had any spare time, you might be able to find him building websites or creating apps to automate tasks. To all intents and purposes, Dastoor has both a bachelor’s and a master’s in computer science. It wasn’t until recent years when he’d decided to pursue music full-time. Over the past few years, Dastoor has completed two artist diploma programs in chamber music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in California and the Glenn Gould School in Vaughan, Ontario. In the fall of 2024, he’ll begin a graduate diploma program at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts.
When we asked Dastoor why he ended up choosing music over science, he said that he had to do some soul-searching after he found himself constantly thinking about music. While doing science activities or development work, his mind always wandered to repertoire, rehearsals and planning concerts. These days, you’ll find him touring and winning competitions as one-third of the Rilian Trio. Formed in 2021 at the Glenn Gould School, the Trio won the first prize, the audience prize, and the prize for best interpretation of the commissioned piece at the 12th Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition in 2023.
When he’s not with his trio, Dastoor is extremely active in the musical scene, giving solo, chamber, and orchestral performances across the U.S. and in Europe. He has performed as a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic and with the Lethbridge Symphony. He’s served as a substitute in the Calgary Philharmonic and Red Deer Symphony Orchestras. He’s performed at such festivals as the Rockport Chamber Festival and Montreal Chamber Music Festival. Dastoor has also participated in the Perlman Music Program Chamber Workshop, the Bowdoin Fellowship Program, and the National Arts Center’s Young Artist Program, among others. Now, he can also count Performance Today Young Artist in Residence program as the latest in his list of accomplishments.
Dastoor is currently performing on the 1700 Taft Stradivari violin on a three-year loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank. He also performs on a 1950 Louis Henri Gillet bow, on loan from the Canimex Group.
Dastoor appears here in these recordings with pianist Chris Soong.
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