Glacier String Quartet 

Isaac Willocks (violin), Sora Kim (violin), Ethan Mung (viola), and Takumi Rodgers (cello) first met in 2021 at the University of Calgary, where they were all undergraduate students in the Music Performance program. The four became fast friends, reading quartets for fun during the summertime and taking on every opportunity to play together. They began their formal studies as a string quartet with Professor Edmond Agopian in 2023, and they will continue together at the Mount Royal University Conservatory in the coming year. In its various incarnations and with many beloved collaborators, Glacier SQ has performed at many concerts and events at the University of Calgary. The Quartet was featured by the Calgary Pro Arts emerging artist concert series and at a Theatre Calgary opening, and it has premiered works by emerging Canadian composers. 

As Albertans, the members of Glacier String Quartet chose this name to honour their home province that brought them together. They are committed to the long-term development of local talent and to improving the accessibility of classical music through outreach and school concerts.

Isaac Willocks, violin

Isaac Willocks is in his fourth year of studies in the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at the University of Calgary where he studies violin with Edmond Agopian. He is also studying at the Mount Royal University Conservatory in the Advanced Performance Program, under the direction of William Van Der Sloot. A sought-after collaborator, Isaac is currently the rotating concertmaster of the University of Calgary Orchestra, as well as being awarded the second violin spot in the SCPA faculty quartet. Isaac has also worked with non-profits like A Better World Canada to help raise money for more musical and educational opportunities for more underprivileged students and communities so that anyone who wants the opportunity to pursue music is given the chance.

Sora Kim, violin 

Calgary-born violinist Sora Kim is an alumnus of the Mount Royal Conservatory Academy, and currently studies with Edmond Agopian while pursuing a dual BSc/BMus in violin performance at the University of Calgary. She has been a national finalist of the Canadian Music Competition and was the 2016 winner of the Ambrose Concerto Competition. In addition to her performing career, Sora is passionate about music pedagogy and maintains an active teaching studio in Calgary. Sora has most recently performed with Theatre Calgary and as part of the Calgary Pro Arts emerging artist series. She currently serves as co-concertmaster of the University of Calgary Orchestra.

Ethan Mung, viola

Ethan Mung is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance at the university of Calgary and studies with Dean O’Brien. Born and raised in Calgary, Ethan has been involved with music for most of his life. He started violin lessons when he was five years old and piano at age six. At fourteen he began playing the viola, eventually focusing his studies primarily on that instrument. He has been a member of various orchestral programs, including the Calgary Youth Orchestra and most recently the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in its 2022 season. In addition to performance, Ethan has had some experience in composition. His debut work, Lament for Strings was performed by the Mount Royal Sinfonia in 2019 as a part of its Winter Fantasia concert.

Takumi Rodgers, Cello

Takumi Rodgers is a Japanese-Canadian cellist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in cello performance at the University of Calgary. In his studies with Beth Root-Sandvoss, Takumi functioned as the principal cellist of the University of Calgary Orchestra, and contributed to multiple chamber ensembles. In his time at U of C, Takumi has been awarded the Hertz Trio prize and the Don Wright scholarship as well as Honours in the Frank Simpson concerto competition. Formerly, Takumi was the principal cellist of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, and University of Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, a member of Queensland Youth Orchestra in Brisbane, Australia, a member of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. He recently performed as the solo cellist in the pit orchestra for Theatre Calgary’s production of Beaches: the Musical.