The Edmonton Chamber Music Society | Rafael Hoekman, cello

The Edmonton Chamber Music Society

Rafael Hoekman, cello

Rafael Hoekman

Hailed by the Toronto Star as a "young musician with a bright future" and noted for his "spirited and fiery performances", Rafael Hoekman's varied career as a soloist, teacher, chamber musician and orchestral cellist has taken him on a journey across Canada.

Originally from St. John's, Newfoundland, Rafael Hoekman is currently Principal Cellist of the Edmonton Symphony and a faculty member at the University of Alberta. He has been a featured soloist with the Edmonton Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Quebec Symphony, I Musici de Montreal and Newfoundland Symphony.

As a chamber musician and founding cellist of the Tokai String Quartet, Rafael was a prize winner at the Banff International String Quartet Competition.

Prior to joining the Edmonton Symphony, he was a member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, held Assistant Principal positions with the Winnipeg and Windsor Symphonies, and performed with orchestras including the Toronto and Detroit Symphonies.

Rafael has an M.Mus from the University of Toronto. His principal teachers were Yuli Turovsky and Shauna Rolston.

He lives in Edmonton with his wife, cellist Meran Currie-Roberts and their children, Sam and Anastasia. Rafael was recently appointed Principal Cellist of the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra in Boulder, Colorado.