Colleen Venables and Tate Zawadiuk both performed as Young Musicians Extraordinaire at age 17. Tate’s passion for the cello and Colleen’s devotion to the violin had already brought them to soloist’s spotlights with both the Vancouver Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. In September 2013, they added High River to their ever-growing performance list.

Colleen took First Prize at the 2012 Canadian National Music Festival and continues to win prizes wherever she plays. She has worked with artists around the world including Pinchas Zukerman, Leonidas Kavakos, the Shanghai Quartet and Ian Parker. If she isn’t playing on her strings, she can be found dancing, singing, improvising – doing anything that expresses and shares her love of music and art.

Tate’s ability to convey his passion for music makes for a truly captivating performance. Tate has been playing the cello since the age of three, and it shows. At age 12, he debuted as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, graduating to become the principal cellist of the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra.  In 2011 and 2012 , Tate placed first in his class at the Canadian Music Competition for strings. He was a national finalist for the 2013 competition. 

Young Artist Extraordinaire Luka Coetzee

Colleen Venables, violin

Learn more about Colleen and what she’s been up to since our concert.

Tate Zawadiuk, cellist, is a former High River Young Musician Extraordinaire.

Tate Zawadiuk, cello

Learn more about Tate and what he’s been doing since we last saw him perform.