Rebecca Wenham

Cellist Rebecca Wenham’s performances have been described as “silken, highly refined” (the Globe and Mail) as well as having “extraordinary commitment and maturity” (La Gazette). Her animated playing style is often surprising, dramatic and impulsive, leaving a breathless audience on the edge of their seats. She has performed across North America, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Australia. Formerly a member of the Cecilia String Quartet, she won prizes in the Osaka, Rutenberg, Bordeaux and Banff International String Quartet Competitions, and was a CBC Galaxie Rising Star in 2007.

Rebecca has collaborated with many composers including Common Sense Composers Collective, Ana Sokolovic, Gilbert Amy, Kelly-Marie Murphy and William Bolcom. She recently premiered a new work for solo cello and chamber orchestra by Owen Underhill, The Curio Box, commissioned by Vancouver New Music. Highlights of the 2015 season included a performance of the Elgar cello concerto with the Vancouver Philharmonic, and of the Brahms Double Concerto with the Lion’s Gate Sinfonia. This past May, Music on Main presented Rebecca in a program of solo cello exploring works that highlight divergent musical styles (all composed in the 21st century), from classical to music by jazz cellist Peggy Lee and rock violinist Sarah Neufeld.

A member of Microcosmos Quartet since 2011, an ensemble committed to performing music of the last 100 years (or so), she presents programs in intimate settings such as private homes, art galleries, clubs and small halls. Microcosmos Quartet held its inaugural string orchestra mentorship program, the Kessler Academy, in September 2015. Rebecca was recently named principal cello of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Her projects have been generously funded by the Canada Council, the BC Arts Council and ProQuartet. She holds degrees from the HARID Conservatory of Music, and from Rice, San Diego State and McGill Universities.