From Calgary to the McDuffie Center

Robert McDuffie Center for Strings sophomore Benjamin Linton stepped on the Piedmont Grand Opera House stage as a soloist April 13 to perform Jean Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47. He received the honor of being featured with the Macon-Mercer Symphony Orchestra as winner of Mercer University’s 2026 Concerto Competition.

It’s a long work in three movements.

“It was a big-time performance of arguably the most technically and musically challenging violin concerto there is, and Benjamin stepped up to it big time,” said Robert McDuffie, who was present for the concert.

McDuffie was the first to shout “brava” following Linton’s performance and noted that he “absolutely met the moment.”

Was Linton, a 19-year-old native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, nervous?

You couldn’t see any nerves from the audience. All you could see and hear was a stunning, well-measured performance. But Linton had his own answer, explaining that there are different sorts of nervousness for different audiences.

“There’s the nervousness when I’m playing in front of my colleagues and fellow students,” he said. “I feel I always play my worst for them — they know how it works and I can’t disguise anything.”

Linton said he still feels nervous performing for an audience at the Grand, but it’s different because he knows everyone is there to enjoy and not critique the music. 

Even more “nerve-wracking” was performing alongside musicians in the MMSO who are also members of the Atlanta Symphony, he added.

“They’re all such outstanding musicians — some of the best anywhere — and they’ve played these pieces hundreds of times with hundreds of different soloists, the best violinists in the world, so I totally needed to be prepared to do a good job and make a good impression. It was a real honor and very humbling.”

I asked if he got any feedback from them after the concert. 

“They were all very complimentary,” Linton said. “I think they enjoyed it. We’re so very fortunate to have such an opportunity to collaborate with them.”

A reluctant start in a musical family

Linton grew up in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies and said that as a kid he loved being outdoors and playing hockey, as most any Canadian youngster would. His parents arranged for him to begin violin lessons at age four.

Linton’s parents, Kirk and Leila, both studied music. His mother worked as a pianist in the University of Calgary’s music program and his father, a trumpeter, planned an orchestral career, until a wisdom-tooth extraction gone wrong caused nerve damage that changed everything. He became a teacher, principal and a district supervisor.

Linton’s two brothers also play orchestral stringed instruments. Even Linton’s grandfather played mandolin and guitar, helping shape the family’s listening habits — a range from bluegrass to the likes of Paul Simon, the Lumineers and classical.

Truthfully, Linton said he didn’t fall in love with the violin — or all the lessons — at first.

“I really didn’t like it at the beginning,” he said. “I wanted to be outside climbing trees. Practicing felt grueling. I remember coming home from lessons bawling.”

But those feelings soon dissipated.

The moment It clicked

Linton vividly remembers the moment things changed. His parents had enrolled him at four in Calgary’s new Amici String Program, an early-development initiative his mother had a hand in. His first teacher was Theresa Plotnick, who blended the Suzuki method of learning violin with her own approach.

At an Amici summer camp, Linton played in a trio with one of the coaches, a principal violist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

“It was the first time I’d played with someone at that level,” he said. “The way he played, the joy he had, the freedom — it was incredible. I remember thinking, ‘This is what I could do for the rest of my life.’”

That spark grew. Many teachers, local opportunities and serious honors followed. Playing chamber music created a love for ensemble work. Linton began to fancy the idea of performing with a symphony and the dream of becoming a soloist began to feel reachable.

What hadn’t entered his mind yet was a path that would lead him to Macon.

A Calgary pipeline to the McDuffie Center

Linton first heard of the McDuffie Center from Wesley O’Brien, a Calgary native who had attended the Center. Then, as it turns out, the center’s director Amy Schwartz-Moretti, a renowned soloist and violinist with the Ehnes Quartet, made her way to Calgary for a performance. Linton was encouraged to schedule a lesson with her, which led to a positive audition and acceptance into the program.

“We really hit it off,” he said of Schwartz-Moretti. “I loved her teaching style and, of course, her playing.”

Linton said listening to other musical talents, such as McDuffie, Moretti and David Kim, and learning from them offered a whole new experience. 

“They’re incredible performers, and they’re humble,” he said. “Each has their own ideas about performing and getting that perspective has been amazing. I’m grateful for the support I’ve gotten from my teachers and fellow students — I’m so lucky to be here.”

Schwartz-Moretti shared her own perspective.

“Linton is just one of those special musicians you notice right away,” she said. “He’s got this natural charisma on stage and such a beautiful, lush sound that really draws people to the music. On first meeting him, I remember thinking he had something unique, so of course, I encouraged him to come study in Macon. It’s been amazing watching how he’s grown through his dedication and hard work. I’m proud of him and genuinely excited to see what he does next.”

Choosing Sibelius

Linton had loved and wanted to play the Sibelius concerto for years. Feeling ready to tackle it, he chose it for the Mercer Concerto Competition.

“I don’t know if there’s any other piece I would have rather played with orchestra,” he said. “It was always a dream.”

What comes after the McDuffie Center?

Linton said he plans to attend graduate school and is open to orchestral, chamber or solo work.

“If I’m performing music at a high level with musicians I respect, I’ll be happy,” he said. “I’m not too fussy about the path. I just want to take every opportunity. I’ve worked hard to get here and want to learn from this experience, then it’s whatever the future holds.”

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. Find him on Instagram at michael_w_pannell.