Elmar's encore

For a young student, having access to a master musician can be a life-changing experience. Especially when that artist is the internationally celebrated violinist Elmar Oliveira.

Oliveira remains the first and only American to win the Gold Medal at Moscow's prestigious Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition. He has performed at the most prestigious venues across the globe, is a Grammy-nominated artist and is known as a champion of the music of our time. For the last 17 years, he served as one of Lynn University's most prominent Artists-in-Residence and is now stepping away to write his next chapter.

During his tenure at Lynn, Oliveira was a vital contributor to the growth of the conservatory. He developed a popular chamber music series entitled Elmar and Friends to shine a spotlight on the immensely talented pool of Lynn University Conservatory of Music faculty members. Oliveira's students flourished, winning positions at major symphony orchestras and at other ensembles across the nation. He launched two highly successful competitions valued by young musicians, fellow teachers, and artisans on an international level.

"Elmar is, without question, one of the greatest violinists of the century. His contribution to the Conservatory of Music cannot be measured," said Jon Robertson, dean of the Lynn Conservatory of Music. "He imparted his knowledge, extraordinary expertise and special love for music to his students, opening their minds, which is invaluable to musicians at this stage in their careers."

Oliveira's passion for teaching and performing is matched, if not surpassed, by his dedication to supporting the next generation of young violinists and his deep commitment to making music accessible to as many people as possible. Over the years, this desire has grown exponentially, resulting in the creation of the newly launched Elevar Foundation.

"My time at Lynn has been so very special," said Elmar Oliveira. "Working with the students and faculty has significantly impacted my life. This important outlet and the support of Jon Robertson provided me the opportunity to grow ideas that would reach beyond the university and out into the world on a much larger scale."

This August, Oliveira decided to take his passion and commitment to broadening his support of young musicians and the communities they serve to the next level. He officially retired from teaching to focus on his new foundation, Elevar.

"I believe in the transformative power of music and music education. The foundation's goal is to make music accessible to underserved communities—something I have been very passionate about my entire career," said Elmar. "Through partnerships with institutions such as Lynn, we can offer free or low-cost opportunities, including competitions, master classes, lessons, performances and instruments. It is a win-win for everyone."

However, this doesn't mean his presence will be absent from the conservatory. His legacy will loom large through the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition and the John Oliveira String Competition, both held at Lynn.

In 2016, Oliveira's dream was set in motion. He established both competitions to expand the reach of Lynn while building his legacy.

Oliveira founded the annual John Oliveira String Competition at Lynn to honor his brother as a musician, mentor and personal guide to a life enriched by and dedicated to music. The competition is only open to Lynn Conservatory of Music string students and winners receive a monetary prize—given by Oliveira himself—in addition to a recital at Lynn and other performances out in the community.

The Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition (EOIVC) takes place at Lynn every three years. It is open to any violinist of any nationality between the ages of 16 and 32. It offers winners critical career support in the form of instruments and bows, artist management and public relations, as well as cash prizes and national and international engagements. Additionally, the EOIVC attracts high-profile judges and artisans from across the globe to Lynn's campus, providing students access to these incredible resources.

"Knowing that the Lynn Conservatory of Music has played an integral role in allowing Elmar's vision to blossom is an honor. One that we do not take lightly," said Jon Robertson. "Through both competitions and now the Elevar Foundation, we can provide conservatory students exposure to great musicians and continue to raise the visibility of Lynn throughout the world."

Robertson also reflected on his personal friendship with Oliveira over the years: "Elmar is one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever met. His sincerity and humility form a combination that's rarely ever found. He is etched in my soul for having given me the opportunity to be a friend and colleague."