Tag Archives: Violinist

Swil Kanim on “Make No Bones About It.” August 6th, 2017 at 4pm

ABOUT SWIL KANIM

Swil Kanim, US Army Veteran, classically trained violinist, native storyteller and actor, is a member of the Lummi Nation. 

Because of his unique ability to inspire audiences to express themselves honorably, Swil Kanim is a sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, workshops, school assemblies, and rehabilitation centers.

He travels extensively throughout the United States, enchanting audiences with his original composition music and native storytelling. His workshops, The Elements of Honor, are attended by people from all walks of life.

Swil Kanim considers himself and his music to be the product of a well supported public school music program. Music and the performance of music helped him to process the traumas associated with his early placement into the foster care system. 

Swil Kanim’s compositions incorporate classical influences as well as musical interpretations of his journey from depression and despair to spiritual and emotional freedom. The music and stories that emerge from his experiences have been transforming people’s lives for decades.

Swil Kanim

The Magic of Swil Kanim on KAOS 89.3 FM

Sunday, December 5 · 5:00pm – 6:00pm Tune in with Raven and his guest Swil Kanim. Swil Kanim is a violinist and member of the Lummi Nation, located in Washington state. Learn more about his music, and hear some of his stories that transformed people and their lives for decades.

Swil Kanim has been featured on KIRO TV NEWS, National Public Radio’s Earth on the Air, Northwest Public Radio, NW Cable News Network and the Canadian Chum Network’s New Canoe.

In addition t…o working in 24 episodes of CBS’s Northern Exposure, his music and acting ability were highlighted by starring in Sherman Alexie’s critically acclaimed The Business of FancyDancing.

He was selected to perform as part of the Bellingham’s Sister City Program in Teteyama, Japan where he continued on to Seoul, Korea for a memorial/reunion concert for orphans of the Korean Conflict.

The Indigo Girls asked Swil Kanim to be their opening act in Seattle to kick off the Honor the Earth Concert tour of North America.

Swil Kanim also performed for five years with the Growth and Prevention Theater Company (GAP Theater), based out of Seattle. The GAP Theater Company presented professional plays about racism and varying forms of bigotry for institutions across the Great Northwest.

He has done school assemblies for elementary and secondary education in Washington State, British Columbia, Canada, and in Sitka Alaska.

He has performed for the staff and participants of Re-habilitation Centers across the state of Washington.

At the American Indian Film Awards in San Francisco, Swil Kanim has been a featured performer since 2003 , he was featured on the soundtrack of a documentary about Indian Boarding Schools, which won the Best Documentary award.

Swil Kanim has received the Certificate of Virtuosity from the Whatcom Chapter
of the Washington State Music Teachers Association, the Bellingham Municipal Arts Award for Promoting Self-Expression in Community, and Woodring College of Education Professional Excellence Award.

In 2004, 2007 and 2008 he performed with Classical Guitarist Andre Feriante and Cellist Paulo Cesar at Benaroya Recital Hall in Seattle, WA

Swil Kanim has collaborated with Pianist David Lanz and Flutist Gary Stroutsos on two CD’s; Spirit Romance and Heart of the Bitterroot.

In April, 2008 Swil Kanim performed at the West Coast American Indian Music Awards where he was presented with both the Classic Award and Traditional Instrument Award. Also in April of 2008, Swil Kanim was invited to perform for the Dalai Lama at Key Arena in Seattle for The Seeds of Compassion event.

November 2008 Swil Kanim performed four “sold out” shows at the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC..

check out his website:
http://www.swilkanim.net/