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Program
FinesterrAI – Ricardo Molla
I. On the Top of Cape Finisterre
Unbroken – Madeline A. Lee
First Impressions – Edgar Meyer
Agave Circles – Derrick Skye
Towards the Square – Michael Spiroff
I. Charade
Golden Hour – Cait Nishimura
Azure Dawn – Frank Gulino
Fantango – Kevin McKee
Program Overview
Tephra Collective is an international chamber ensemble bringing together Canadian and American artists in a shared exploration of the expressive possibilities of trumpet, trombone, and piano. Founded by trumpeter Alan Klaus, trombonist Tim Dueppen, and pianist Michael McAndrew, the ensemble is dedicated to innovative programming that connects audiences through collaboration, storytelling, and musical discovery.
For their Prague performance, Tephra Collective presents Impressions of a New Dawn, a program inspired by renewal, transformation, and the meeting of diverse musical traditions. The concert features works by contemporary composers from North America and beyond, drawing on influences ranging from European lyricism and American folk traditions to African rhythmic textures and cinematic soundscapes.
Highlights include selections from Ricardo Mollá’s FinisterrAI, inspired by friendship and the legendary Cape Finisterre on Spain’s Atlantic coast; Unbroken by Madeline A. Lee, a powerful reflection on resilience and hope; and Derrick Skye’s Agave Circles, which weaves together global musical influences into a vibrant rhythmic tapestry. The program also features works by Edgar Meyer, Cait Nishimura, Frank Gulino, Michael Spiroff, and Kevin McKee, showcasing the remarkable versatility and colour of the brass and piano chamber repertoire.
Named after volcanic material that travels great distances before enriching new landscapes, Tephra Collective reflects the ensemble’s belief that music can cross borders, spark connection, and create something meaningful wherever it lands. Through Impressions of a New Dawn, the ensemble invites audiences to experience a musical journey filled with imagination, energy, and possibility.
Tephra Collective Biography
Formed by trumpeter Alan Klaus and trombonist Tim Dueppen, the Tephra Collective is dedicated to expanding the brass chamber music repertoire through collaboration and innovation. The ensemble began at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and has since performed across Canada and the United States.
Their debut album, Distorted Mirrors(2017), was recorded in Texas and reflects their commitment to new music and artistic exploration. Through ongoing commissions and collaborations with a diverse range of composers and performers, the ensemble promotes creative exchange and cross-cultural dialogue.
The name Tephra refers to volcanic material ejected during an eruption, symbolizing transformation and creative force while honoring the ensemble’s roots in the volcanic regions of Montana and Newfoundland. The Tephra Collective is currently developing its second album, continuing its mission to champion new works for trumpet, trombone, and piano in innovative chamber settings
Cadenzafest Prague
An annual international music competition for students enrolled in international schools worldwide. The competition consists of two rounds for both individual participants and ensembles: the first round is held virtually, while the final round takes place in person in Prague. This year’s finalists came from France, Romania, Japan, and from three international schools in Prague. They competed in the following categories: voice, piano, guitar, violin, harp, choir, and orchestra.
Registration for 2027 opens on April 1 here!
Prague welcomed Duo Concertante!
The internationally acclaimed Canadian classical chamber ensemble DUO CONCERTANTE performed in Prague for the very first time!
Both Prague concerts were held under the patronage of the Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Emily McLaughlin.
Monday, March 2 at 19:00 Muzeum Antonína Dvořáka, Ke Karlovu 20, Praha 2 www.nm.cz/en/czech-museum-of-music/duo-concertante
Wednesday, March 4 at 19:00 Koncertní sál Pražské konzervatoře, Dvořákovo nábřeží 2, Praha 1 www.prazskakonzervator.cz
Prague Arts and Culture (PAC) brings high-quality musical experiences to the heart of Europe, presenting performances by world-class ensembles and renowned musical personalities. A key part of PAC’s mission is to nurture the next generation of international musicians through close collaboration with the Prague British International School (PBIS), offering unique educational opportunities that combine artistic excellence with cultural exchange.
EDUCATORS
Elizabeth Legierski
voice
Canadian soprano Elizabeth Legierski, based in Prague, has quickly established herself as an exciting operatic talent since her European debut in 2022, with performances at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Gewandhaus Leipzig, and Prague’s National Theatre. Recent highlights include her debut as Barče in Smetana’s The Kiss at the F. X. Šalda Theater, appearances as Papagena and Zweite Dame in The Magic Flute across Germany, and roles in Boito’s Mefistofele and Dvořák’s Rusalka. Celebrating Smetana’s bicentenary, she has performed Czech repertoire with the North Bohemian Philharmonic and at the Smetana Museum, while also excelling in works by Puccini, Bizet, Verdi, and Mozart. A champion of contemporary music, she has premiered new operas by Norbert Palej, Dean Burry, and others. A finalist in the Jacques Offenbach Grand Prix, Elizabeth is a versatile artist praised for her luminous voice and dramatic presence.
Vilém Petras
violoncello
Cellist Vilém Petras, Assistant Solo Cello of the National Theatre’s State Opera Orchestra (from 2025) and Solo Cello of the Hradec Králové Philharmonic, is one of the most acclaimed young Czech musicians of his generation. A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with further studies in Vienna and Leipzig, he has performed as soloist with leading orchestras including the Prague Symphony, Prague Philharmonia, Moravian Philharmonic, and Pilsen Philharmonic. As a member of the award-winning Trio Incendio, he has garnered first prizes at prestigious competitions in Lugano, Cremona, Florence, and Prague, and appeared at Wigmore Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, Prague Spring, and Verbier Festival. His artistry has been recognized with the Hanse Gála Prize for emerging ensembles, numerous solo competition victories, and premieres of new works, establishing him as a rising force on Europe’s concert stages.
Jana Lukášová
flute
Flutist Jana Lukášová, a graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with studies at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, has established herself as a versatile soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. She has held positions with the State Opera Prague, Brno Philharmonic, and Prague Chamber Orchestra, while appearing with leading Czech ensembles including the Czech Radio Symphony, Prague Symphony FOK, and Hradec Králové Philharmonic. A prizewinner at international competitions in Italy, London, and the Czech Republic, she has also performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Moravian Philharmonic, Virtuosi di Praga, and Bohdan Warchal Chamber Orchestra. Her artistry spans symphonic repertoire, contemporary music, and chamber collaborations, alongside a dedication to pedagogy through her teaching engagements in Prague.
Markéta Janáčková
piano
Pianist, music director, and educator Markéta Janáčková has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician across Europe, North America, and Asia, performing with leading orchestras such as the Prague Chamber Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic, and Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic. A graduate of the Prague Academy of Performing Arts, she is a laureate of the Naděžda Pochlebinová-Sažinová Prize and has appeared at prestigious festivals and venues including MIDEM in Cannes, the Montreal International Festival, Fundación Juan March in Madrid, the Prague Spring Festival, and Opera Bastille in Paris. Deeply committed to the legacy of Terezín composers, she has recorded and performed their works internationally, including for German ZDF television. Founder of the acclaimed Janáček Trio, she has recorded for Supraphon and Harmonia Mundi, while also serving as a music director for Czech Radio and teaching piano at the English International School of Prague.
Sabina Vajdová
piano
Pianist and educator Sabina Vajdová (MgA., née Třetinová) is a distinguished graduate of the Brno Conservatory and the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts. She earned a Certificate of Honour at the North London Musical Festival and during her studies performed extensively in the Czech Republic, the UK, Germany, and France. Since 1996, she has collaborated in a chamber duo with mezzo‑soprano Jana Wallingerová, appearing at concerts organized by the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation, Leoš Janáček Foundation, and Vítězslava Kaprálová Foundation, while also recording song cycles by Smetana, Dvořák, Martinů, Kaprálová, and Eben for Czech Radio. As a pedagog, she teaches piano and co‑organizes piano courses and seminars through the European Piano Teacher Association (EPTA) and local initiatives.
Marie Hasoňová
violin
Violinist Marie Hasoňová is recognized as one of the outstanding young talents on both the Czech and international music scene. Equally at home in music spanning the Renaissance to contemporary eras, she excels in sensitive and authentic interpretations of classical repertoire, while her Moravian roots nurture a deep affinity for folk music. A laureate of numerous prestigious competitions — including Talents for Europe, the Josef Muzika International Competition, Archetti in Moravia, Telemann Violin Competition, and the Václav Hudeček Academy — she has also graduated from the Orchestral Academy of the Czech Philharmonic. As a soloist she has performed with top orchestras such as the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, Prague Philharmonia (PKF), Brno Philharmonic, and others, and appeared at major festivals including Prague Spring, Luzern Festival, Dvořák Prague, Bohuslav Martinů Days, and Antonín Dvořák Festival. Since 2023, she has been a member of the distinguished Dvořák Piano Quartet, an ensemble with a notable recording presence on Supraphon and regular radio and TV appearances. She also collaborates closely with violist Petr Holman (Zemlinsky Quartet), pianist Tommaso Carlini, and chamber ensembles across diverse genres.
Barbora Plachá
harp
Praised for her poetic interpretations and profound musical sensitivity, Barbora Plachá is widely regarded as one of the leading young Czech solo harpists. A graduate of the Prague Conservatory, the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, and the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo (under Isabelle Perrin), she has received numerous accolades from national and international competitions across the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and Belgium. Equally at ease in genres from classical to jazz and early music, Barbora has collaborated with top Czech and Norwegian jazz artists, recorded for Czech national radio, and participated in multi-genre ensembles—including the group SALOME and the Oslo-based. Her dedication to education and the harp community has led her to found the Arpeggio Harp School (Prague, 2009), the Norsk Harpe Akademi (Oslo, 2017), and the respected Prague Harp Festival (Artistic Director, since 2014). She also established the Harp Atelier Arpeggio—the sole authorized distributor of French Camac harps in Czechia and Slovakia.
Martin Heyzl
saxophone
A graduate of the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory in Prague (saxophone major) and participant in several pedagogical seminars at Charles University, Martin Heyzl brings a versatile career that spans medieval music, jazz, and ensemble leadership. He toured Europe extensively with his medieval music ensemble, performing in countries such as Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and France. He’s also performed as a guest at Moravian University’s Summer Jazz Camp in Pennsylvania and regularly leads workshops at the Karel Velebný summer jazz workshop in Frýdlant. On the scene in Prague, he collaborates with notable groups including Felix Slováček's Big Band, Jindřich Vácha PTO (as both bandleader and manager), The Shoop Shoop Q, Big Braille Band, and Soul Ožil. Currently, Martin focuses on teaching wind instruments across Prague’s schools while furthering his skills in jazz arranging.
Jaroslav Hudec
guitar
Guitarist and dedicated educator Jaroslav Hudec brings over four decades of experience in teaching and performing across Europe and the United States. A graduate of the Prague Conservatory (classical guitar), he has served as a music instructor at institutions such as the State Musical School in Prague, the French Lyceum, and as founder of the private Music Accord School—offering instruction in guitar, strings, piano, band singing, and voice. Over his career, he organized summer music camps and guitar courses in the Czech Republic, Italy, and France, facilitated international student exchanges, authored music books, and created listening-relaxation sessions. An accomplished performer, Jaroslav toured extensively throughout Europe and Florida with programs featuring Renaissance, gypsy, flamenco, jazz, folk, and original compositions—often collaborating with vocalists and recording for Czech Television and Radio Prague.
Jakub Martinec
Dr. Jakub Martinec, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor at Memorial University in Canada, is a distinguished conductor, researcher, and former artistic director of the renowned Czech Boys Choir. He has performed in some of the world’s most celebrated venues, from San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral and Toronto’s Massey Hall to Rome’s Pantheon and Prague’s Rudolfinum, collaborating with leading orchestras and choirs. His ensembles have opened the choral cycle of the Czech Philharmonic and appeared at major international festivals such as the Prague Spring, Festival d’Ambronay, and the World Symposium on Choral Music. A recipient of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and Memorial University’s President’s Award for Exceptional Community Service, Dr. Martinec is also an acclaimed clinician and scholar, recognized for his research on Czech choral literature and male voice pedagogy.
“Uniting audiences through the power of performance”
Musical performance connects us—expressing culture, sparking emotion, and inspiring change. Prague Arts and Culture (PAC) brings these moments to life, from soloists and chamber ensembles to choirs and full orchestras. Stay tuned for the next performance from PAC.
REGISTRATION for CadenzaFest Prague 2027 opens on April 1, 2026.
International Music Competition for students registered in an international school worldwide – open to individual participants and school ensembles.
Categories: voice (classical, pop), harp, piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, clarinet, composition, chamber music (9 or less), ensembles (choir, orchestra, band).
For more information email: info@praguearts.com
Welcoming unique invited ensembles to our home city of Prague inspires everything we do at Prague Arts and Culture. From grand performances in the heart of the city to intimate concerts in the Czech Republic’s most picturesque towns, we create unforgettable musical experiences to last a lifetime.
Recently, we had the privilege of hosting one of America’s leading choirs of boys and young men, who joined forces with the Prague Boys Choir for a breathtaking concert. Performed to a sold-out audience in the historic Mirror Chapel at the Klementinum in downtown Prague.
Unforgettable Music Tours with Prague Arts and Culture
From Prague’s historic concert halls in the country of Dvořák, Smetana, Martinů and Janáček to Central Europe’s most inspiring venues, we create tailor-made performance tours for choirs, bands, and orchestras. Every itinerary is built around your group’s interests, size, and skill level—because no two tours should ever be the same.
With our insider connections and local expertise, you’ll enjoy:
Prestigious performance venues & guaranteed audiences Centrally located accommodation & professional on-site support Rigorous safety measures & seamless logistics
Let us handle the details so you can focus on what matters most—making music.
Contact us today for tour packages, references, and pricing.
Prague Arts and Culture, s.r.o, Kurzova 2222/16, 155 00 Praha