TICKETS

Presented by the Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation

Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation invites you to join them as they present the third Annual Classics in the Park. This year two very diverse groups of performers will be gracing the stage. ShockolaD , a Ukrainian duo and the Brilho Trio.

ShockolaD was founded in 2004 by Igor Hnydyn and Anastasija Litvinyuk. Ukrainian roots meet modern jazz, creating a sonic journey that is as dynamic as it is heartfelt. Reimagining traditional Ukrainian melodies through vibrant grooves, soulful improvisations, and contemporary influences, the ensemble seamlessly blends jazz, funk, electronic music, and world music elements. This fusion results in a sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. From the very beginning, ShockolaD's mission has been to bridge the past with the present by fusing Ukrainian folk songs and melodies with modern musical forms. Ukrainian music inspires the group because of its rich history, emotional depth, and natural affinity for jazz improvisation. This connection fuels their passion for cultural preservation while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of musical expression. Collaboration is at the core of ShockolaD's artistic vision.

The Brilho Trio , a violin, viola and piano trio formed by Dr. Vladimir Rufino (violin), Dr. Fabiola Amorim (viola), and Dr. Ryan Kolodziej (piano), brings to the stage their combined experience of chamber music and artistry, culminating in a blend of classical tradition and contemporary exploration.

Vladimir Rufino is a Brazilian-Canadian violinist and has brought his love of music to stages in South America and Europe as well as Canada and the United States. Vladimir currently performs regularly with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and as first violin of the Vaughan String Quartet, which released its debut CD in 2018. In addition to his performance schedule, Vladimir adjudicates for festivals and competitions in Canada and teaches at the MacEwan University Conservatory of Music and Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music.

Dr. Fabiola Amorim is a Violist and, as a chamber musician, she was a member of the Camerata Brasílica (Brazil) and the Villa-Lobos String Quartet (USA). She is also a founding member of the Vaughan String Quartet, which has performed in Canada, USA, France and Italy, and made its debut recording in 2018. Dr. Amorim maintains an active schedule as a concert violist and educator. She holds a position of viola instructor at the MacEwan University Conservatory of Music and Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music and adjudicates for festivals and competitions in Canada.

Dr. Ryan Kolodziej is enjoying a varied music career that has included solo and collaborative performances, accompanying nationally acclaimed amateur and university choirs, and individual instruction and group courses at the pre-college and university level. Ryan is also the Executive and Artistic Director of Primo Music Association, a not-for-profit that runs Centric MusicFest: a summer classical and art music festival in Alberta and has enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and perform with Canadian musicians from coast-to-coast.