Tanya Prochazka

Born in 1952, Australian-born cellist Tanya Prochazka began studying the cello at the age of seven in Melbourne, and in 1969 won the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s National Concerto Competition (now Young Performers Awards). She continued her studies at the Paris Conservatoire with cellist André Navarra, graduating in 1973, and later studied with Jacqueline du Pré and Janos Starker.

Prochazka performed and recorded with various ensembles in Vienna before settling in London in 1978, where she became a member of the Sirius Ensemble, Lontano and Florestan Trio. She was principal cellist of the Scottish Baroque Ensemble, the London Mozart Players and the English Sinfonia, and played in the Philharmonia Orchestra and for the Royal Shakespeare Company. She also taught at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music.

In 1986 she moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and in 1998 was appointed Professor of Cello and Chamber Music, and conductor of the University Symphony and the Academy Strings Orchestras at the University of Alberta. In 2009 she was inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame.

Tanya Prochazka was Edmonton Recital Society’s (ERS) Artistic Director from 2011-2015.  She was instrumental in creating the ERS Emerging Artist Series, giving a platform for young musicians to develop their craft. Tanya also curated some very exciting concerts featuring accomplished performers, many with a personal or musical connection to Edmonton

Tanya’s passion, warmth and sense of adventure in discovery inspired her audiences, students, colleagues, and friends. She will be warmly remembered by our students, staff and music faculty at the University of Alberta, and all who were touched by her beautiful spirit.