Cello with Michael V.

I'm a young Canadian musician with a versatile range of skills and interests. My primary instrument is cello, but I'm also a composer with a strong background in music theory and music history. I'm an associate composer with the Canadian Music Centre and a member of SOCAN. As a cellist, I've had the privilege to perform with some of the world's most celebrated musicians. I'm also a founding member of the former Mahewa String Quartet - with whom I won the grand prize in the chamber music category of the 2008 Canadian Music Competition - and I've performed as a soloist with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra and Calgary Youth Orchestra. I'm also a passionate advocate of new music, performing and premiering works with multiple new music ensembles in addition to initiatives as a soloist and chamber musician, often collaborating directly with composers. I studied at Southern Methodist University (B.M. ’13; M.M. ‘17), and Northwestern University (M.M. ’15) after receiving pre-collegiate training through the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My studies have been funded in part by three generous grants from the Alberta Foundation of the Arts, in addition to the Alberta Arts Graduate Scholarship. My primary teachers include cellists John Kadz, Andrés Díaz, and Hans Jørgen Jensen, along with composers Xi Wang, Simon A. Sargon, Jay Alan Yim, Kevin Hanlon, and Lane Harder. In addition to my more conventional interests, I also enjoy utilizing my musical skillset outside of the classical and concert music world. I'm a prolific arranger and improviser, and have collaborated in multiple capacities with choreographers, authors, playwrights, and filmmakers. This is all in addition to my main passion: teaching music. As a teacher, I aim not only to train skilled performers, but more importantly to foster deeper appreciation and passion for music at any age or level. Outside of musical pursuits, I like cooking, painting, hockey, hiking, and spending as much time as possible in the Canadian Rockies (as well as enjoying the companionship of my wonderful dog and my awesome wife).