Joanna Ciapka-Sangster

• Instrument: Violin I

A native of Poland, Joanna received her Masters Degree in Music Performance, in 1989, from Academy of Music in Poznan where she studied violin with Bartosz Bryla. Touring throughout Europe and Egypt she performed with various Polish orchestras including: the State Philharmonic Orchestra in Poznan, Baltic State Symphony Orchestra in Gdansk, Pagart Polish Performing Arts Agency in Warsaw and Polska Filharmonia Kameralna Chamber Orchestra in Sopot. She performed with such renowned conductors as Jerzy Maksymiuk, Wojciech Michniewski, Wojciech Rajski and Krzysztof Penderecki.

Joanna has lived in Edmonton since 1992 becoming a faculty member of the Society for Talent Education and member of various chamber orchestras. In 1994, Joanna joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) as a core player, after winning a 1st violin chair at the international audition. In 1995, she also became a core member of the Alberta Baroque Ensemble.

As a soloist, Joanna has performed with ESO and Concordia College Orchestra. She has been a member of numerous ensembles including: the Arden Ensemble, ECHO, Pro Coro Orchestra and the Polish Folk and Dance Ensemble, Polonez.

Her first love is playing in chamber groups and in 2005, together with her husband jazz composer and saxophonist Kent Sangster, founded the Obsessions Octet. In 2006, the octet released its debut CD Obsessions to rave reviews. Obsessions was nominated for a 2007 JUNO Award in the Contemporary Jazz Category and was awarded the Western Canadian Music Outstanding Jazz Recording of the Year Award. In the fall of 2009, the Obsessions Octet recorded their second CD Melodia to be released on March 7th, 2010.

Joanna also plays in an Obsessions String Quartet and Trio Con Brio. Since 2005 she has been involved in Contemporary Music Project with the Warszynski Trio and in 2007 they recorded the CD Devil’s Dance.

Over the years she has been very involved in Polish Culture Society of Edmonton and in 2008 Joanna joined its Board of Directors. As a hobby, Joanna hosts Music Corner on CJSR 88.5 FM’s Polish Radio Program (since 2004). She also enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with Kent and their two kids, Adam and Kaja.