Radek Sokulski is an accomplished violinist whose love for music helped organize the Bel Canto Strings. His excellent violin technique comes from years of experience playing in many chamber groups and orchestras like the Red Deer Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He lives in Calgary, and for many years now has been teaching violin and performing around Calgary and Banff. Radek Sokulski has received his BMus with Distinction from the University of Calgary and has completed a Performance Diploma from Mount Royal University. He is also a talented composer who writes and arranges many works that the ensemble performs.
Kristof Sokulski
The son of a violinist, Kristof has been honing his skills and passion for the violin throughout the entirety of his life. He is tenacious and dedicated to his craft as a professional musician. Being well acquainted with the Calgary music scene, Kristof has been involved with numerous local ventures throughout his career, even heading a gypsy jazz quartet in which his undoubtable talent as an improviser was given the space to flourish. Outside of his life as a performer, Kristof has been teaching the violin to individuals of all ages since the age of sixteen and has recently gone on to create his very own violin and theory program; designed with the exceptional in mind, Prodigy Practice addresses the many inefficiencies of traditional teaching methods that were made apparent to Kristof throughout his time as an educator as well as during his time studying for his Bachelors in Music from the University of Calgary. Alongside finding great fulfilment in his work as a teacher and performer, Kristof enjoys leading an active and mindful lifestyle, and by spending time with his wife, little dog, and family.
Takumi Rodgers is a Canadian/Japanese cellist with a passion for performance and musical collabora7on, avidly pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree as a Performance major at the University of Calgary. He started cello at age 9 and began studying music under Lynne Backstrom in Brisbane, Australia at age 11. He then studied under Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s principal cellist Mark Rodgers for two years before moving to Calgary for his degree, where he now progresses with Beth Root-Sandvoss.
In the various stages of his musical journey, Takumi has performed with the Queensland Youth Orchestra (Australia), Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Youth Orchestra, countless chamber groups, and the University of Calgary Orchestra where he is currently the principal cellist. Over this time, Takumi has participated in many fes7vals and competitions, performing in provincial finals of the Alberta Music Festival, AUSTA Q competitions, The Frank Simpson concerto competition and many more, each with distinctions or higher.
His cello is a modern Monteverdi series II model configured by Australian luthier Adrian Petrino. In his time not practicing, Takumi will be found enjoying video games and cardistry.
Bel Canto’s concert for ProArts@Noon Concert Series will be a mix of Baroque, Classical, Jazz and Contemporary music arranged and performed as a String Trio. The performance will go beyond the classics and what is usually expected of such an ensemble.
