Margaret Munro Tobolowska
cello
Margaret Munro Tobolowska is a dynamic, versatile, and multi-faceted artist. She radiates intensity and vitality and is able to infuse those around her with her positive energy. She performs as a solo recitalist, as well as being in demand for her skills as a first-class chamber musician.
Born in Toronto, Margaret began playing the cello at the age of twelve and was admitted to the University of Toronto to study with Daniel Domb when she was sixteen. Margaret received her Bachelor of Music in Performance in 1992 and continued, on full scholarship at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where she studied with David Soyer. Her summer studies included lessons with William Pleeth, Harvey Shapiro, and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Her chamber music coaches included the Guarneri Quartet, the Orford Quartet, the Muir Quartet, Felix Galimir, and Karen Tuttle. She is a recipient of many prizes and scholarships, including the Gregor Piatagorsky Graduating Scholarship from the University of Toronto and three consecutive Canada Council Arts Grants to continue her studies abroad. Following her graduation from the Curtis Institute of Music in 1994 with an Artist Diploma, she immediately won a position with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In January, 1999 she became a proud member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
She has performed at many internationally prestigious Chamber Festivals in North America and Europe, including: the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival in Germany, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Le Domaine Forget in Quebec, the Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario, the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, the Lanaudière Festival, and the McGill Chamber Orchestra series. She has collaborated with artists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Stéphane Lemelin, James Campbell, Gary Graffman, Gilbert Kalish, Steven Dann, Trevor Pinnock, Jonathan Crow, and Judy Loman.
Margaret’s new passion is writing stories, composing music, and performing for children. Margaret’s first project, A Cello for Chelsea has been greeted with much applause from audiences and critics. “Cellist captivates young, young at heart – Tobolowska tells a tale of girl whose life changes after she discovers the cello”, headlines a review in the Ottawa Citizen. “Tobolowska provides the narration along with some luscious cello playing, and the enterprise is a real charmer…” Ottawa Citizen. She released her second CD, Zara the Maggini in 2006. Visit www.Tobolowska.com for more information.
Margaret is passionate about teaching and has given masterclasses in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. She has been on the faculty of the Junior Strings Programme of the NAC Summer Music Institute since 2003.
March 2007
