Paul van der Sloot, Violoncello

18-year-old Paul van der Sloot started playing the ’cello at the age of 7 under the teaching of John Kadz at the Mount Royal University Conservatory.

He was recently awarded the Rose Bowl at the 2012 Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival for being the most outstanding performer in the entire competition. In 2012, Mr. van der Sloot competed in the finals for the National Music Festival, both solo and in his chamber group, placing 1st with his string trio.

He recently won the Calgary Youth Orchestra’s Frank Simpson Concerto Competition and the Calgary Civic Symphony’s C3 Competition. In 2012, he performed the Elgar ’Cello Concerto with both orchestras. Accepted as one of 13 cellists from around the world, Mr. van der Sloot traveled to Washington D.C. in 2012 to compete in the finals of the prestigious Johansen International Competition and in May 2013, he will be competing as one of 6 finalists in The Shean Strings Competition. Praised for his sound and colorful interpretations, Mr. van der Sloot has attracted many with his playing.