Itzhak Perlman is one of the world's greatest violinists. He is also the artistic director of the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Personal: He and his wife Toby have five children, Noah, Navah, Leora, Rami and Ariella
Background: Born in Israel in 1945, Mr. Perlman completed his initial training at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. He came to New York and soon was propelled into the international arena with an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1958. Following his studies at the Juilliard School with Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay, Mr. Perlman won the prestigious Leventritt Competition in 1964, which led to a burgeoning worldwide career. Since then, Itzhak Perlman has appeared with every major orchestra and in recitals and festivals around the world. During the 2008-2009 season, he will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his American debut.
Holds the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair at the Juilliard School Honorary degrees from Yale, Brandeis, Roosevelt, Yeshiva and Hebrew universities Honorary doctorate and a centennial medal on the occasion of Juilliard's 100th commencement ceremony in May 2005. Recipient, Medal of Liberty, 1986 Recipient, National Medal of Arts, 2000 Recipient, Kennedy Center Honor, 2003 Winner, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the recording arts Winner, fifteen Grammy Awards. Winner, four Emmy Awards.
He and his wife are founders of the Perlman Music Program in Shelter Island, NY.
