Birth

:

in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

Denise Djokic is a Canadian cellist who has established herself as one of the most prominent classical musicians of her generation. Born on April 23, 1980, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Djokic grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, Philippe Djokic, is a violinist and her mother, Lynn Stodola, is a pianist. Djokic began playing the cello at the age of three and gave her first public performance at the age of six. Djokic's talent was recognized early on, and she began studying with renowned cellist Janos Starker at the age of 13. She continued her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied with David Soyer of the Guarneri Quartet. Djokic's career took off in the late 1990s, when she won several prestigious competitions, including the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Canada Council for the Arts' Instrument Bank Competition. These wins led to numerous performance opportunities, including appearances with major orchestras such as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In 2002, Djokic made her Carnegie Hall debut, performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the New York String Orchestra under the direction of Jaime Laredo. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and Djokic was praised for her "rich, warm tone" and "impeccable technique." Djokic has also been recognized for her work as a chamber musician. She has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including pianist Angela Hewitt, violinist James Ehnes, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2006, Djokic formed the Trio Voce with violinist Jasmine Lin and pianist Patricia Tao. The trio has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe and has released several critically acclaimed recordings. Throughout her career, Djokic has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In addition to her competition wins, she has been awarded the Virginia Parker Prize, the Prix Opus, and the Order of Nova Scotia. She has also been named one of Canada's "Top 40 Under 40" by The Globe and Mail. Despite her success, Djokic remains committed to promoting classical music and music education. She has served as an artist-in-residence at several universities and has worked with numerous youth orchestras and music programs. She is also a founding member of the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, which provides young musicians with the opportunity to perform in a professional setting. In recent years, Djokic has continued to perform and record extensively. She has released several solo recordings, including a critically acclaimed album of Bach's cello suites. She has also continued to collaborate with other musicians, including pianist David Jalbert and the Gryphon Trio. Djokic's career has been marked by a dedication to excellence and a commitment to promoting classical music. Her talent and passion for music have made her one of Canada's most beloved and respected musicians, and she continues to inspire audiences around the world with her performances.

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