DUO POLARIS was formed in 2005 by two Canadians, pianist Julia Haager and cellist Kirill Kalmykov. Both Julia and Kirill enjoy extensive performing careers and are always interested in reaching out to diverse audiences.

Since its inception, the duo has received guidance and was influenced by world-renowned musicians such as Colin Carr, Henk Guittart, Anton Kuerti, Menahem Pressler, Barry Shiffman and Donald Weilerstein to name a few, and has participated in The Banff Centre’s Chamber Music Residency and Beethoven Festival.

Duo Polaris has performed extensively in Western Canada as well as the United States and Portugal. They regularly play at The Banff Centre, the Mountain View Festival, the University of Calgary’s Contrasts Festival, Pro Arts and Instrumental Society of Calgary concert series. Their passion for travelling and exploring new places through music is often the inspiration behind their creative programming. Their performances this season include engagements in Canada, the United States and Japan.

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