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Works by Bach, Brahms, Glazunov, Field, Chopin and Gershwin PLUS an assortment of Russian Folksongs. Performed by:
- Natasha Galitzine, Viola
- Tony Booker, Piano and Voice
Tickets
Available at the door and online
$25 general
$15 students and seniors
$10 6-12 years
About the artists
Tony Booker
Tony Booker has worked as a professional musician for over 50 years as keyboard player, vocalist, composer, arranger and conductor. Besides studying in England and Canada, he also studied in the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia, where he developed his interest in Russian and Balkan music. Having received a Master's Degree from U.Vic, he remained at the School of Music on faculty as an accompanist for 30 years. He also taught music at Lester B.Pearson College of the Pacific.
His interest in Slavic music led to his becoming conductor of the Victoria Balalaika Orchestra in 1983. In 2000 he formed and directed a choir, 'Voces Intimae', which specialized in Russian Choral Music and the cantatas of J.S.Bach.
He also sings and plays keyboard with Victoria's most versatile (though predominately Balkan) band 'Jamshed'.
Natasha Galitzine
Born and raised in Victoria, Natasha Galitzine started playing the violin at the age of seven and switched to the viola when she was sixteen. She graduated from The Juilliard School in New York City with her Bachelor’s in Music Performance in 2016, studying under Samuel Rhodes and Misha Amory, and then went on to complete a masters degree at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas in 2019 where she studied with Ivo van der Werff.
Natasha has had the privilege of performing in many great halls across North America, including Carnegie Hall in New York and Koerner Hall in Toronto. She has attended numerous summer music festivals across the continent including Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California and Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill, Maine. In 2017, she served as principal viola of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, when the orchestra toured extensively around the country for Canada’s 150th anniversary.
Beginning in 2018, Natasha had the opportunity to sail the seven seas, performing chamber music with Lincoln Center Stage on Holland America Line cruise ships around the world. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she was on a ship in New Zealand, and upon the cancellation of her contract, came back to live in Victoria. Currently, Natasha is thrilled to be playing as a substitute musician with the Victoria Symphony, as well as performing with Cascadia Strings. She also works part time on the administrative team at Pacific Opera Victoria.