Michael Kolk has established himself as one of Canada's most accomplished classical guitarists. He has performed at festivals and concert halls throughout North America and Europe both as a soloist and as a member of the HK Guitar Duo with Drew Henderson. The Duo was selected by Prairie Debut for concert tours of Saskatchewan and the Yukon in the 2017/18 season. The following year a concert tour with violinist Laurence Kayaleh included concerts in Quebec, Ontario, and Swtizerland.
Michael has collaborated with numerous musicians in both classical and popular genres. He made his debut with orchestra as a soloist with the Toronto Philharmonia and has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Opera in Concert, Tapestry Opera, and CineConcerts, among others.
Active as a recording artist, Michael has released a total of nine albums to date on labels such as Naxos, Alma Records, and Deosonic Music. These include four solo recordings, three albums with the HK Guitar Duo; and duo collaborations with Jeffrey McFadden and violinist Laurence Kayaleh. In addition to the standard classical guitar repertoire, Michael has been committed to presenting music that has rarely been recorded (composer Ferdinand Rebay), new transcriptions for guitar duo (with the HK Duo) and contemporary compositions (Nick Peros Nocturnes). These albums have garnered consistently positive reviews, and have received frequent radio play in Canada and the US.
Michael has been a top prize winner at numerous guitar competitions. He holds an ARCT performance diploma from the Royal Conservatory, as well as Master's degree in guitar performance from the University of Toronto. In addition to performing and recording, he is active as a teacher and has guided many students to successful RCM exams and post-secondary auditions. After many years based in Toronto, Michael relocated to Vancouver in September 2022.
Press Quotes:
...one of the most musical guitarists performing and recording today.
This is Classical Guitar
...playing and musicianship of the highest order.
Whole Note Magazine
...one of the most brilliant and expressive classical guitarists I have heard in my life.
Liona Boyd
… the classical technical and interpretive skills to match any player I’ve seen – and that includes Julian Bream, John Williams and Segovia.
Whole Note Magazine
…a sensitive and technically deft young guitarist, with a sound all his own.
Fanfare
...ultra musical interpretations and impeccable technique.
Classical Guitar Canada
…a musician of superb taste and technique
Alexander Dunn
