Biography

Born and raised in Cardiff, Wales, Bernard Kane began his musical studies as a chorister in the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. David, Cardiff. Bernard began playing the violin at the age of twelve, changing to the viola three years later. At the age of eighteen he won a place to study viola at the Royal College of Music in London where he was awarded an exhibition scholarship and later earned his B Mus (hons) degree.

After applying to Graduate Schools in the United States, Bernard was offered a full scholarship to study for a Masters Degree at Yale University which he completed in 1997.

Bernard became the first string player to be awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver in July 2007, and the first person in Canada to be awarded a Doctorate of Musical Arts with a major in viola performance.