Ari Golan

Ari Golan was born in Chicago, the son of Joseph Golan, former Principal Second Violinist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Judith, English teacher, flamenco dancer, violinist, pianist and harpist. To say he was no stranger to the Arts would be an understatement. A child prodigy violinist at age 2 he was also a child actor appearing in theatrical stage productions, television shows and feature films. Frequently traveling with his father on international symphony tours, Ari developed a keenness for culture and world travel at an early age, but could never quite get American Airlines to award him elite status. When Ari wasn't running track & cross-country, painting, drawing or sculpting, he was making Super 8 movies with his parents' camera and was the sports photographer and editor for his high school newspaper and yearbook. After graduating high school as an IL State Scholar and National Merit Student with class honors, he went on to study film and compete as a collegiate gymnast