Ian Hampton (2)

British, naturalized Canadian in 1974, classical cellist, conductor, cello teacher, and author. Born 13 March 1935 in London, England, UK. He studied at The Guildhall School Of Music & Drama (1945-1947). He was a member of the London Symphony Orchestra (1957-1959), and a founding member of The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in 1959. He was the cellist of the Edinburgh String Quartet (1959-1965). He emigrated to Canada via Berkley, California where he taught for a year with his father, Colin Hampton, and was cellist of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra and the Persinger String Trio. In 1966, he was appointed Principal Cello of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (1967-1973) and also of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra (for 29 years). He was a founding member and cellist of the Baroque Strings Of Vancouver (to 1988) and also the Purcell String Quartet (1968-1989). In 1979, he became principal & Artistic Director of the Langley Community Music School and, in 1982, Principal Cello of The Vancouver Opera Orchestra, both positions which he continued to hold until 2000, along with his role as Principal Cello of the CBC Vancouver Orchestra. He was a member of the Masterpiece Piano Trio (1978-1981). He conducted the Nanaimo Symphony Orchestra (1978-1981) and the Surrey Youth Orchestra (1978-1982). He taught at the University Of British Columbia (1970-1971). In recognition of his contribution to Canadian new music, in 2009, he was named a Canadian Music Centre ambassador.