¡Cantamos! Guest Musicians
Mezzo-Soprano Fabiana Katz
While critics have used words like “chocolate” and “caramel” to describe the richness and shimmering quality of this Argentinean-Canadian mezzo, she has acquired a range and an edgy and dramatic vocal timbre that make her performances both intimate and powerful.
Fabiana has appeared as a soloist with the the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra, the Regina Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshire Choral Festival, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Radio Orchestra, and the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra, among others.
She has been a guest soloist with Calgary’s Luminous Voices, Players and Singers, Erato Ensemble, Vancouver’s Sonic Boom Festival, Vivaldi Chamber Choir, the Monteverdi Symposium, a Company of Instruments Baroque Orchestra, Vivaldi Chamber Choir, Vancouver Latin Music Festival, and SummerChor.
For thirty years, Fabiana has sung professionally with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, under the direction of Jon Washburn, and after his retirement, with Finish conductor Kari Turunen. She has been a catalytic force in the founding of several Canadian ensembles: the a-cappella trio Kallisto, which received accolades around Canada, the Vancouver-based early music octet Stellaria, and the Calgary-based Ad Libitum Vocal Ensemble
As a recitalist, Fabiana focuses on repertoire which highlights her Latin cultural background, and her Yiddish and Sephardic ancestry. In particular, she has shared the Tango tradition of her native Argentina at Tango, Flamenco and Wine, presented by Latincouver and Carnaval del Sol, and then combined her varied culture heritage with performances of Yiddish Tango at Festival Judío, presented by the Peretz Centre for Secular Jewish Culture.
Fabiana’s opera experience includes the title role in Handel’s Amadigi di Gaula with Opera Appassionata, Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Eugenia in the concert premiere of Vancouver composer Lloyd Burritt’s Miracle Flight 571.
Michael Kolk
Michael Kolk has established himself as one of Canada’s most accomplished classical guitarists. He has performed at festivals and concert halls throughout North America and Europe both as a soloist and as part of chamber ensembles.
Michael has collaborated with numerous musicians in both classical and popular genres. He made his debut with orchestra as a soloist with the Toronto Philharmonia and has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Opera in Concert, Tapestry Opera, and CineConcerts, among others.
He has released nine albums on labels such as Naxos, Alma Records, and Deosonic Music which have received glowing reviews and frequent radio play in Canada and the US.
Michael has been a top prize winner at numerous guitar competitions. He holds an ARCT performance diploma from the Royal Conservatory, as well as Master’s degree in guitar performance from the University of Toronto. He currently resides in Vancouver, BC, where he teaches from his home studio.
Rene Hugo
Born in Apurimac Peru. Rene learned to play mandolin and quena at age of 5. Up until today, he learned more than 100 Andean instruments.
He studied music at University of Music Leandro Alvina Miranda (Peru) and at VCC (Canada). He also studied Electrical Engineering at San Antonio Abad University and Pedagogy at Santa Rosa Pedagogical Institute (Peru).
Rene was honored with a medal by the Peruvian Consulate as cultural ambassador of Peru in Canada. Rene received a medal and nomination of 2004 Artist of the Year in the Latino American community. Rene represented Canada with his group “Rene Hugo Y Sus Amigos” to the 2005 Nanning International Music Festival (China). Rene has been teaching guitar, ukulele, recorder, mandolin, and Andean instruments in Canada since 1995.
Rene has 10 recordings and 3 books of poetry, 10 method books for guitar and ukulele. Rene has performed in more than 200 schools in B.C. and many festivals in and out of Canada. Rene recorded with Vancouver Chamber Choir, Chor Leoni, Okanagan Festival Singers, Victoria Choir, Kelowna Choir, Richmond Choir, World Fest Ensemble, Fusión Latina, and famous singers from Peru and other Latin American countries.
Eduardo Lucastegui
Eduardo Lucastegui, a versatile percussionist, has made his mark in both Canadian and Argentine music scenes. Currently based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, he lends his rhythmic talents to bands like Julio Avila Cuban Band and Jasmine Orton. With a rich background performing in prestigious orchestras and festivals across Argentina, Eduardo’s musical journey spans genres and continents. Beyond performing, he’s a dedicated educator, teaching percussion and various instruments for over a decade. Eduardo graduated as a percussion teacher from the Chascomús Conservatory of Music, solidifying his expertise in music education. His passion for music extends to conducting percussion ensembles, showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the world of music.
Tom Angelus
Tom is originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA, studying Music at Northern Illinois University. After University, Tom developed his professional skills freelancing in jazz clubs in Chicago and touring with various shows throughout the US, New Zealand and Australia. While performing in Chicago, Tom returned to school to acquire a degree in Computer Science resulting in a successful career in the Software Products industry.
Tom emigrated to Canada and has lived in Vancouver for more than 20 years. During that time, Tom has been developing skills in the Symphonic Orchestra community, playing in several Symphony Orchestras, Wind Ensembles, Jazz Bands, Stage Shows, and Brass Bands.
Nadim Woolgar
Nadim Woolgar is a Bolivian Canadian guitarist and composer that has a passion for playing music from South America. They truly believe in collaborating and lending their skills to artists that are invested in bringing their own personal twist to the traditional music of their countries. Aside from traditional music they also love to play Latin and progressive rock. Currently they play lead/rhythm electric guitar with Precipice, bass with Tambore fusion, and nylon string guitar with Mai Garnica. They have studied classical guitar at the Vancouver Academy of Music with Hanh Nguyen and are currently studying classical guitar at VCC with Adrian Verdejo. Nadim also studies charango with René Hugo Sánchez.