DUO POLARIS was formed in 2005 by two young Albertans, pianist Julia Haager and cellist Kirill Kalmykov.

Both Julia and Kirill have enjoyed extensive performing careers and are interested in reaching out to diverse audiences, specifically in smaller communities.

Since its inception, the duo has worked with Menahem Pressler, Colin Carr, Henk Guittart, Anton Kuerti, Geoff Nuttall, Jean-Paul Sevilla, Thomas Sauer, Barry Shiffman, Donald and Vivian Weilerstein, and has participated in The Banff Centre’s Chamber Music Residency and Beethoven Festival.

Duo Polaris has performed extensively in Alberta and British Columbia, and plays frequently at The Banff Centre, the Mountain View Festival, the University of Calgary’s Contrasts Festival and Instrumental Society of Calgary concert series.

Julia and Kirill are both on faculty at the Mount Royal University Conservatory and the Academy for Gifted Youth Program, and are grateful to have received generous support of their careers from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.