Biographies

Longest concert bio:

Tanya Prochazka, Cellist

Australian by birth, Tanya Prochazka is the granddaughter of Albert Coates, past conductor of the St. Petersburg Kirov Theatre and the London Symphony Orchestra. She began studying cello at the age of seven with Marianne Hunt, and later with Henri Touzeau in Melbourne and won a number of nationwide competitions including the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s National Concerto Competition. Continuing at the Paris Conservatoire, she studied with noted French cellist André Navarra, and graduated in 1973. Moving to Vienna, Tanya Prochazka became a member of various chamber groups, including Ensemble 1, with whom she performed and recorded extensively. She studied with Janos Starker at Indiana University, and for two years was Artist in Residence at Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, Australia. In 1978 she settled in London, a move that led to a distinguished career as a soloist and member of numerous chamber ensembles (Sirius Ensemble, Lontano, Florestan piano trio) and orchestras. She was principal cellist in the Scottish Baroque Ensemble, the London Mozart Players and the English Sinfonia. She played in the Philharmonia Orchestra and for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and frequently performed on the BBC. She taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. Tanya studied orchestral conducting with distinguished conductor and mentor Dr. John Hopkins,

Living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1986, Ms Prochazka has become one of Canada’s leading cellists. In 1998 Tanya was appointed Professor of Cello and Chamber Music and Conductor of the University Symphony and the Academy Strings Orchestras at the University of Alberta. As well as conducting the major symphonic repertoire, Tanya led the orchestra in opera and large choral events. In July 2010, Tanya became Professor Emerita at the University of Alberta and continues to teach in a half time capacity.

She has an impressive discography and is heard often on the CBC. Ms Prochazka’s recital, chamber music and concerto performances have taken her to many parts of the globe. In 2004 she performed two world premieres: the cello concerto, La Rosa Enflorece, composed especially for her by Alfred Fisher, performed with The Kingston Symphony Orchestra, and Malcolm Forsyth’s Double Concerto for Cello and Viola, with violist Rivka Golani and the Edmonton Symphony. Tanya is a frequent performer at chamber music festivals in Canada including Pender Harbour, Sooke and Prince Edward County.

In January 2006, Ms. Prochazka was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. Despite bouts of disease recurrence and subsequent treatments Tanya continues her performance and teaching career. In 2009 Tanya was honored by the City of Edmonton for her contributions to the musical life of the city and inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame. Recent performance highlights include a recital in Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York with pianist Sylvia Shadick Taylor, the complete Beethoven Cello and Piano Sonata Cycle in Edmonton with pianist Stephane Lemelin, fundraising recitals in Melbourne Australia for the Kenneth Hunt Memorial Fund with pianist Brachi Tilles, recitals of works by Chopin and Debussy with Magda Adamek, performances of string quartets in the natural concert halls of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, Rachmaninoff and Grieg Sonatas with pianist Milton Schlosser, the Schubert String Quintet with the Lafayette String Quartet in Edmonton and Victoria, Canada and all the works of Brahms for cello and piano (including transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas) with pianists Janet Scott Hoyt and Magda Adamek. Tanya is also embarking on a cycle of the Beethoven String Quartets with the Enterprise Quartet of Edmonton.

Tanya Prochazka is the Artistic Director of the Edmonton Recital Society.

Medium size concert bio:

Tanya Prochazka, cellist

After performing for several years with Ensemble 1 of Vienna throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, Ms. Prochazka moved to London, England in 1978 where she was principal cellist with the Scottish Baroque Orchestra, the London Mozart Players and the English Sinfonia, and performed in the Philharmonia Orchestra and for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and was active as a soloist and chamber musician.

In 1986 Ms. Prochazka moved to Edmonton, Canada with her husband and children. Subsequently, in 1998, she became Professor of Cello and Conductor of the University Symphony and Academy Strings Orchestras at the University of Alberta where she has conducted the main symphonic repertoire as well as opera and large choral works. In July of 2010, Tanya retired from her position and became Professor Emerita at the University of Alberta where she continues to teach in a half time capacity.

One of Canada’s leading cellists, Ms. Prochazka performs repertoire from the Baroque to the present day. Tanya is a frequent performer at chamber music festivals in Canada including Pender Harbour, Sooke and Prince Edward County. In 2009 Tanya was inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame for her contributions to Edmonton’s musical life. Recent highlights of her career include a recital at Weill Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York with pianist Sylvia Shadick Taylor, world premiere performances of concertos by Alfred Fisher and Malcolm Forsyth, performing string quartets in the natural concert halls of the Grand Canyon, conducting a tour of Cuba with the Academy Strings Orchestra and performing all the works of Brahms for cello and piano (including transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas) with pianists Janet Scott Hoyt and Magda Adamek. Tanya is also embarking on a cycle of Beethoven String Quartets with the Enterprise Quartet of Edmonton. Her CDs include the world premiere recording of the New Goldberg Variations with pianist Jacques Despres as well as recordings with pianists Stephane Lemelin, Sylvia Shadick Taylor, Milton Schlosser and Janet Scott Hoyt.

In spite of bouts of treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer since January 2006, Tanya continues to perform and teach.

Tanya Prochazka is the Artistic Director of the Edmonton Recital Society.

Short concert bio:

Tanya Prochazka, cellist

Born in Melbourne Australia, Tanya Prochazka studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Andre Navarra and in Bloomington, Indiana with Janos Starker, following which she has pursued a career of international performance and teaching. Ms. Prochazka moved to Edmonton from London, England with her family in 1986. She became Professor of Cello and Conductor of the University Symphony and Academy Strings Orchestras at the University of Alberta in 1998 and since 2009 is Professor Emerita. One of Canada’s leading cellists, Ms. Prochazka performs repertoire from the Baroque to the present day. Highlights of her recent career include a Carnegie Hall recital, world premiere performances of concertos by Alfred Fisher and Malcolm Forsyth, performing string quartets in the natural concert halls of the Grand Canyon, leading a tour of Cuba with the Academy Strings Orchestra and performing all the works of Brahms for cello and piano (including transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas). Her CDs include the world premiere recording of the New Goldberg Variations with pianist Jacques Despres as well as several recordings with pianists Stephane Lemelin, Milton Schlosser, Sylvia Shadick Taylor and Janet Scott Hoyt. Tanya conducts the main symphonic repertoire as well as opera and large choral and orchestral works. She is Artistic Director of the Edmonton Recital Society.

Shortest concert bio:

Tanya Prochazka, cellist

Tanya Prochazka is Professor Emerita of cello and chamber music and conductor of the University Symphony and the Academy Strings orchestras at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Originally from Australia, Tanya pursued her cello studies at the Conservatoire in Paris with Andre Navarra and at Indiana University with Janos Starker, and her conducting studies with distinguished conductor John Hopkins. Her solo and chamber music career have taken her to all the corners of the globe. Tanya has recorded CDs for Atma and Arktos featuring French, American, English, Norwegian and Czech music. She made the world premier recording of the New Goldberg Variations by distinguished American composers. Tanya is Artistic Director of the Edmonton Recital Society.