Gay, Halifax-trained violinist seeks to ‘finally have a home’ in North America
HALIFAX — A Dalhousie-trained violinist who came out as gay in a widely circulated YouTube video says he hopes to stay in North America for fear of persecution if he returns to his Russian homeland.
But Artem Kolesov says first getting Canada’s permission to cross the border for a classical concert is a struggle in itself.
Kolesov and the rest of the YAS string quartet were set to perform Beethoven’s “Serioso” at a concert hall in Halifax Sunday, but the show was cancelled because of his immigration issues.
Kolesov, 23, is currently studying in Chicago, having previously pursued a music degree at Halifax’s Dalhousie University, but the musical prodigy says he doesn’t feel fully welcome in any of the three countries in which he has lived.