The Canadian classical music community is mourning the loss of Yehonatan Berick who died suddenly in Ottawa over the weekend.

The violinist was given a terminal cancer diagnosis just two weeks ago.
Berick was born in Israel.  He came to Canada in the mid-1990s and was professor of violin at the University of Ottawa’s School of Music and a driving force at the University’s annual summer string academy.

He’d previously taught at the University of Michigan, McGill University, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Toronto.

Toronto Symphony Orchestra Concert Master Jonathan Crow says Berick was one of those rare people who filled up a room with his relentlessly positive presence and will be deeply missed by the countless students and colleagues who had the good fortune of crossing his path.

Yehonatan Berick was 52.