Rafael Hoekman
Instructor, Cello
B.Mus, M.Mus
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.
Recent Representative Works
Performed Elfentanz, Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, and Beethoven Triple Concerto as Soloist with ESO. Performed Shostakovich Concerto No 1 with CPO. Various Recitals and Chamber Music performances all across Canada.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Becoming Principal Cellist of ESO in 2015. Winning the Orford International Competition in 1998, as well as prizes in CMC Stepping Stones, OSM and Quebec Symphony Orchestra competitions. Prize winner of Banff International String Quartet Competition as a member of the Tokai Quartet.