Why we do what we do
Looking at the Stars is a Registered Federal Charity (Charitable Registration No. 77958 5298 RR0001), authorized to issue tax receipts for charitable donations, based in Toronto.
The Vision
Our main purpose is to restore dignity and create hope in the hearts and minds of the imprisoned by means of gifting them interactive classical music performances presented by world class musicians — bridging the disconnection between society and the incarcerated.
The Audience
We provide our classical music gifts to prisoners serving long-term sentences in federal correctional facilities — maximum, medium and minimum security prisons and Regional Treatment Centers.
The Music
We do not entertain. Rather, we create a unique environment of respect and reflection. We invite world-class musicians to present a repertoire of classical and contemporary compositions. The prison concerts we produce promote intimate interaction between performers and prisoners, elevating passive consumption to interactive engagement.
Dmitri Kanovich, Founder & CEO
Arriving in Canada from Lithuania as a refugee in 1983, Dmitri Kanovich had grown up in a cultured household full of love and art. Upon arrival with his Masters Degree Diploma in his suitcase, Dmitri found himself working as a pizza delivery man for some time before being offered a position as a junior programmer by a compassionate IT business owner. Dmitri has been involved in Information Technology ever since. He received his Canadian citizenship in 1986.
In 1997, Dmitri left Canada to travel the world, working in the U.S.A., South Africa and Russia. His fortunes have been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but always the values of his childhood remained with him. Always, there was music; whether that was Cliff Richard, Bob Dylan or Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Dmitri returned to Canada in 2014; a country he identifies as “the best country in the world.” He cites Canada’s giving nature and the wealth of opportunity it provides to all. Looking at the Stars is one way of giving back to the country that has been so kind to him and his family.
“I Look at the Stars” is the name of the first book written by my father, back in 1959. It is the story of an orphan in a little village whose only fortune is the sky full of stars. In the story the boy looked at them every night. They were his inspiration. They helped him feel good about the world and every human being, because the stars had the magic power of inspiration through distraction. They were a diversion into an imaginary world of justice, peace and brotherhood; the world and the stars converged into a single universe of love and hope. This project was inspired by this story and my family.”
Lukas Geniušas, Founding Musician
Russian-Lithuanian pianist Lukas Geniušas has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting and distinctive artists of his generation.
Praised for his “brilliance and maturity” (The Guardian) he is invited to give recitals in the most prestigious venues all over the world such as Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Salle Gaveau, Auditorium du Louvre, Frick Collection New York, Phillips Collection, Gilmore Keyboard Festival, Teatro Carlo Felice, Sala Verdi in Milan and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. He is also regularly invited to festivals including La Roque d’Anthéron, Piano aux Jacobins, Rheingau, the Ruhr Piano Festival, Schloss-Elmau and the Lockenhaus Music Festivals.
Lukas performs with numerous orchestras including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre national de Lyon, NHK Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Stavanger Symphony, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Kremerata Baltica, Russian National Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Victoria, Montreal and Toronto Symphonies, Warsaw Philharmonic, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, under the batons of conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Mikhail Pletnev, Leonard Slatkin, Charles Dutoit, Andrey Boreyko, Tugan Sokhiev, Saulius Sondeckis, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Antoni Wit, Rafael Payare, and Dmitry Liss, to name but a few.
Known for his innate curiosity and extensive musical interests, Lukas explores a wide range of repertoire, from the baroque to works by contemporary composers. His repertoire spans from Beethoven Piano Concerti through to Hindemith’s Ludus Tonalis and John Adams, as well as a strong interest in Russian repertoire such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and, of course, Prokofiev. He is an avid chamber musician and an extremely inquisitive performer and enjoys working on new works by modern composers, as well as resurrecting rarely performed repertoire.
These aspects of his career are reflected in Lukas’ critically acclaimed discography, which includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninov (the complete Preludes); Chopin (Etudes opus 10 and 25) and works by Stravinsky, Desyatnikov, and Tchaïkovsky with Aylen Pritchin at Melodiya.
Born in Moscow in 1990, Lukas Geniušas graduated from the Chopin Music College Moscow, in 2008. He is the laureate of several prestigious international competitions, notably Silver Medalist at the 2015 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and at the 2010 International Chopin competition.
Since 2015, Lukas has been a featured artist of “Looking at the Stars,” a philanthropy project based in Toronto, whose purpose is to bring classical music to those who may not have an opportunity to experience it live in a traditional setting – prison inmates and long term care institution residents.
Forthcoming highlights in the 2019/2020 season include concerto debuts with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yomiuri Mainichi Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra and in recital at the Gilmore Keyboard Festival and at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. Lukas will also return to the Grands Interprètes de Lyon, Salle Gaveau, Schloss Elmau and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra this season.
S. Gordon Harwood, Artist in Residence
Gordon supports Looking at the Stars as Artist in Residence, creating abstract works of art during the musical performances with the musicians in the correctional institutions in Ontario and Quebec. In describing his abstract work, “I consider myself a colourist; possessing a growing appreciation for the relationship between colour, brush stroke, and the emotive energy that can engage the viewer. He enjoys the collaborative effort of working alongside the musical performers associated with Looking at the Stars.
His work can be found at www.GalleryPapillon.net.
Mychol Scully, Technical Director
Mychol Scully supports Looking at the Stars as Technical Director, managing the Foundation’s website, and consults on marketing and social media initiatives. His past experience as Systems Analyst, Project Manager, Facility Designer, and owner of CORE Design Services provides a diverse skill set that enhances the work of the Foundation.
Our Board of Directors
Dmitri Kanovich (Chairman / CEO / Secretary / Treasurer)
Founder
Gwen Burrows (Secretary)
Executive Director, International Partnerships, University of Toronto
Stan Harwood (Director)
Artist in Residence
Saverio Veltri (Director)
VP, Wealth Management TD
Larry Jackson (Director)
Journalist, former Global News Anchor
Peter J. Lambert MSc, CIM (Director)
Investment Advisor, Bank of Montreal
The Honorable Bob Rae (Advisor)
Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations
Let us know if you’d like more information about what we’re doing. New interactive music series are constantly under development. We’re also working on pubic fund-raising events you will want to attend.
Our Supporters
