Rafael Hoekman

Hailed as a “Rock Star of the Cello” 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.

Rafael grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland and began his musical training with his parents at the age of three. His principal teachers were Theo Weber in St. John’s, Yuli Turovsky in Montreal, and he completed his Master’s Degree with Shauna Rolston at the University of Toronto. With his appointment to the position of Principal Cello for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Rafael has come full circle - his father was born in Lethbridge, and his mother was born in Conrad, Montana, a short drive from the Canadian border.

As a young soloist, Rafael first attracted attention by winning First Prize at the Orford International Competition. This award led to performances of the Boccherini Concerto with I Musici de Montreal and a subsequent CD on the Amberola Label. In quick succession, Rafael garnered awards from competitions including the Montreal Symphony Competition, the CMC Stepping Stones Competition, the Debut Young Artist Competition and the Quebec Symphony’s Canadian Concerto Competition. In addition to performing with I Musici de Montreal, Rafael has appeared as soloist with the Edmonton Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, the Quebec Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton, the Red Deer Symphony, the Newfoundland Symphony, Sinfonia Toronto, the Sudbury Symphony, and the Etobicoke Philharmonic.

As a chamber musician and founding member of the Tokai String Quartet, Rafael won Fourth Prize in the Banff International String Quartet Competition as well as the Felix Galimir Chamber Music Award and the Sir Ernest MacMillan Grant for a young Canadian chamber ensemble. Rafael’s chamber music performances have been featured on several national broadcasts for the CBC. He has been heard all across Canada on tours for Jeunesses Musicales, Debut Atlantic and Prairie Debut. He counts as his chamber music partners James Ehnes, James Campbell, Alexander Tselyakov, Anton Kuerti, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, and Jamie Parker. Prior to joining the Edmonton Symphony as Principal Cello in 2015, Rafael was a member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and held assistant principal positions with both the Winnipeg and Windsor Symphony Orchestras. He has also held positions with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra (Principal Cello), Orchestra London Canada and Sinfonia Toronto (principal cello) and has played frequently with the Detroit and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. He is also currently Principal Cello of the Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton.

Rafael is a passionate teacher and enjoys working with aspiring cellists as a faculty member at the University of Alberta and has a very active private studio of younger cellists. His students have won many honors and awards, and several of them are poised to become successful professional cellists themselves. Rafael gets very excited whenever the ESO plays the music of Dmitri Shostakovich! This was the music that got him completely hooked on classical music as a teenager.

Teaching Quote/Philosophy: 

I love teaching cello! I feel that it's an amazing way to have a positive impact on people's lives. I love the problem-solving aspect of lessons.

Lesson Description:

I live in Garneau. I don't take adult beginners, but I do enjoy working with intermediate and advanced adult amateurs. The youngest I take would be about 7 or 8, but I meet first for a free trial to see if things work. I expect solid regular practice from my students and entering festivals and competitions. I'm a full-service teacher: foundation, technique, musicianship, artistry, philosophy, motivation. 

 

Education and Certification:

Master of Music in Cello Performance, University of Toronto 
Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance, University of Toronto 
Currently teach cello at the University of Alberta 
 

Professional Associations and Memberships: 

Principal Cello of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra 
Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association