George Haddad

Inducted: 2013

George Richard Haddad was born in Saskatchewan, Canada on May 11, 1918 and was the eighth of ten children. He received his first piano teaching degree at the age of 13 at the University of Toronto and went on to receive degrees from the Royal College of Music at the University of Toronto. He then continued his studies at the Juilliard School of Music and the Paris Conservatory.

    He performed concerts with most of the major symphony orchestras in the United States, Canada and Europe (even performing in three European countries in one day), and came to The Ohio State University as a full professor and Artist-in-Residence.

    After retiring in 1988, he continued to perform, offer master classes and judge competitions. He taught piano lessons privately until one week before his death. George Haddad's recognitions include several command performances and winning the coveted national "Prix de Canada" award by the Canadian Government. He was the only artist selected to perform two concerts to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington D. C.

    While teaching at The Ohio State University, he received a presidential citation "for excellence in teaching and inspirational rapport with students," and upon retirement was named Professor Emeritus of Piano. His native Saskatchewan twice honored him with a "George Haddad Day" where a scholarship was established in his name.

    In 1986, The Ohio State University also honored him by establishing a "George R. Haddad Piano Scholarship." In 1995, he was inducted in to the Musicians Hall of Fame, and in January of 2000, the Upper Arlington City Council presented him with the "Community Arts Award 2000" for being a cultural asset to the community. In June of 2001, his former students honored him at The Ohio State University with a tribute to commemorate his contribution to their lives. He was involved in many organizations and groups, including Torch Club where he served as President, Cultural Arts Commission for the City of Upper Arlington, and a member of First Community Church. 

    George Haddad was a wonderful inspiration and had a contagious love of life.  He was full of wonder and curiosity with a unique sense of humor and boundless energy.  He never forgot his humble beginnings in spite of the acclaim that he experienced in his life. 

    He adored his family, and his world revolved around Lilyan, his wife of 45 years, and his daughters and their families. His Sunday dinners were a ritual, and his generous spirit exposed his family to his wanderlust of travel. He especially loved his four grandsons, who lit up his life. He had a positive outlook on life despite many obstacles. He was a voracious reader, an avid art collector and worked out at the gym until age 90. George did everything in his life with depth and soul and joy, and most of all, with love.