Yuri Hooker
In his 24th season as principal cellist of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Yuri Hooker is well-known for his passionate and soulful interpretations of a wide range of repertoire. His frequent solo appearances have met with critical and audience acclaim: his 2007 Rococo Variations with the WSO was lauded as one of the best classical performances of the decade by the Winnipeg Free Press, and in 2011 The Strad magazine spoke of his performance of Britten as being among the “outstanding performances” of the inaugural International Cello Festival of Canada. An avid chamber musician, Yuri also appears regularly with the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society and Groundswell.
As well as performing, Yuri is an inspiring and dedicated teacher whose students are regularly recognized locally and nationally with awards and scholarships. As well as maintaining a private teaching studio, he served as the sessional instructor of cello at the University of Manitoba from 2004-2008, and in the summer of 2011, he helped launch the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy for young string players.
Yuri holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University, which he followed with graduate studies under Janos Starker at Indiana University.
