Czech-Canadian cellist Katerina Juraskova has been acclaimed for her "electrifying spells, natural intensity, beautiful phrasing and sonority" (Santa Barbara Independent). She holds Doctoral and Master's degrees from McGill University, as well as degrees from Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, Conservatoire européen de musique de Paris (France), and the International Menuhin Music Academy (Switzerland). For 9 years she was the Principal Cellist and Soloist for l'Orchestre Classique de Montréal (formerly the McGill Chamber Orchestra) and recently appeared as a soloist in the Schumann concerto with LCO. Other Principal Cello positions and solo appearances include La Pietà, Ensemble contemporain de Montréal, Montgomery (AL) Symphony Orchestra, and National Academy Orchestra (Hamilton, ON). Her career as a soloist and a chamber musician has taken her to major concert venues on four continents. In Canada she has performed with Festival of the Sound, Montreal Chamber Music Festival, Montreal Bach Festival, Magisterra Soloists, and Jeffery Concerts.
Her teachers have included František Pišinger, Radu Aldulescu, Denis Brott, Antonio Lysy, and Christopher Rex. A certified Suzuki cello instructor, she has studied the Suzuki Method in Chicago, IL, with Tanya L. Carey.
Dr. Juraskova is currently on the faculty of Forest City String School in London, ON, and Suzuki Talent Education Program in Birmingham (AL). She has taught cello and chamber music at the International Menuhin Music Academy, Wilfried Laurier University's String Academy in Waterloo, lectured at the University of Montreal and the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute, and served as an adjudicator for the National Tour of the Canadian Music Competition, the Sherbrooke Music Competition in Québec, and Kiwanis Provincial Finals. Her students won auditions for youth orchestras in Birmingham (AL), London and Kitchener-Waterloo, and top prizes at Kiwanis Festival.
She lives with her husband and son in London, ON, where she is active in the city's cultural life and has a private studio.