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Two violinists perform at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium

Jan Bislin of Abbotsford and Jonathan Chan of Vancouver share the stage on Dec. 14.
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Jan Bislin of Abbotsford performs with fellow violinist Jonathan Chan of Vancouver on Dec. 14.

Violinists Jan Bislin of Abbotsford and Jonathan Chan of Vancouver will be featured in concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Abbotsford.

The performance begins at 7:30  p.m. at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way.

Bislin started played the violin at the age of four and the piano two years later.

He has twice received the highest silver medal from the Royal Conservatory of Music for Strings and second for piano.

He has won many competitions, and has played concerts throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including at the Cadogan Hall in England.

Chan (in photo at left) began playing the violin and piano at age four. By the age of eight, he had made his first appearance with an orchestra and has since performed throughout Europe, China, South Africa and North America.

He is a three-time grand prize winner of the Canadian Music Competition and, in 2003, was invited to perform in the retirement concert for former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, sharing the stage with artists such as Oliver Jones, Paul Anka and Oscar Peterson.

Chan and Bislin began were once rivals of music festivals, but as they matured – under the simultaneous tutelage of Taras Gabora of Canada and Anne Shih of Germany – they saw how their passions complemented one another.

Recently, they began performing as the duo Memento, which has 30,000 followers – and growing – on YouTube.

They are now both studying at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London, England.

They are presenting their Abbotsford concert while they are home for the holidays as a fundraiser to help offset their education costs.

Tickets are $20 general and $15 for seniors/youth. Non-perishable items will also be collected for the Abbotsford Food Bank.

Tickets are available at House of James, King's Music, Sound of Music, ABC Christian Store, Abbotsford Food Bank, and by phone at 604-226-3111 or 604-309-4823.