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Between Friends II:
Amahl Arulanandam, cello
Petya Stavreva, piano
Amahl Arulanandam, cello
Amahl Arulanandam is a Toronto-based cellist known for his musical versatility and ability to adapt to many different genres ranging from baroque to death metal. Feeling at home in studios, small clubs, and large concert-halls, Amahl is known as a strong advocate for the music of our time, performing with ensembles such as Soundstreams, New Music Concerts, Tapestry Opera and Esprit Orchestra, as well as regular appearances at the 21C Music Festival. He has had the opportunity to work closely with leading composers such as Salvatore Sciarrino, Marco Stroppa, Ana Sokolovic, Luna Pear Woolf, and Brian Current. As a soloist and chamber musician, Mr. Arulanandam has presented several recitals and performed alongside artists such as David Geringas, Robert Aitken, Steven Dann, Angela Cheng, and Jeffrey Beecher. He toured the US with Matt Haimovitz's all-cello ensemble, Uccello, and was a featured artist at the Salzburg Chamber Music Festival and Ottawa Chamberfest.
Petya Stavreva, piano
"Petya Stavreva is a sparkling, virtuosic pianist and sensitive collaborator. A complete command of her craft allows for true artistic partnership with her fellow musicians. She is an utter joy to perform alongside."
This is what world-class operatic baritone, Peter McGillivray, has to say about international prize-winning pianist, Petya Stavreva. Petya's performance resume includes QSCM's "Between Friends II: Two Oaks Entwined" and "Romantics and Rascals", with Peter McGillivray, solo appearances as concerto guest with Toronto's Sinfonietta Orchestra, and in the Emerging Classical Artists Series at London's Aeolian Hall, London, and a Duo Avante recording project with pianist Todd Yaniw. Currently completing her DMA at the University of Western Ontario, Petya holds a Masters Degree and an Artists Diploma, receiving full-ride scholarships and multiple honours and awards for all of her advanced studies. An erstwhile artist-in-residence at the Banff Centre, and much in demand as a soloist and collaborative pianist, Petya teaches as the University of Western Ontario and maintains a private studio in London and Toronto. She is sought after as a festival adjudicator and is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) College of Examiners.