About Us
Solazur is a Denver-based duo formed out of a shared desire to offer captivating and intimate performances of cello and guitar music. Their usual season of concerts aims to serve the Colorado community by providing quality classical music. The duo engages audiences with the diverse canon of existing music for the ensemble as well as brand new compositions, supporting and advocating for a thriving culture for living composers through innovative and collaborative work. Their debut recital in 2016 included the premiere of a multi-movement work Azur by composer Tomás Peirre-Serrate. Recent projects include recording and performing with Tomás Peire Serrate at UCLA, attending the Zodiac Music Festival and Academy in France as ensemble in residence, touring Texas colleges, commissioning music to expand the repertoire for cello and guitar, offering student workshops, and maintaining an active calendar of performances. Solazur’s debut album, Mercurial, encapsulates the group’s music through 2019, and embodies the spirit of collaboration at the core of the group's mission. As they continue to bring their music around the country and the world, they aim to build relationships through music making to expand their knowledge of classical music’s role in the world.
Katie Burns
As a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and activist, Katie Burns uses the cello to engage people in unique and meaningful musical experiences. Katie runs a private cello studio in Denver and actively performs throughout the city. Originally from Chicago, Katie caravanned across the country to Denver to earn her Master of Music in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy at the Lamont School of Music under the tutelage of Matt Zalkind and Carol Tarr. Over the course of her musical life, Katie has presented four full-length recitals and played countless other ensemble concerts including music from the Baroque through Modern eras. As an accomplished orchestral cellist, Katie has served as principal cellist for the Denver Philharmonic, Lamont Symphony Orchestra, and the Butler Symphony Orchestra. Katie’s true passion as a cellist lies in performing chamber music. As a member of the Vero String Quartet (2010-2012) she intensely studied and performed major works of the string quartet repertoire, playing at several venues throughout Indianapolis. Katie’s experience as a chamber musician brought her to two seasons of the Zodiac Chamber Festival and Academy where she spends two weeks collaborating on standard repertoire as well as premiering new compositions throughout the south of France.
https://www.katieburnscello.com/
Russ Callison
A Texas native transplanted to Colorado, Russ actively performs and teaches in the Denver metro area. An active chamber musician, Russ has explored contemporary guitar music in several ensembles including Solazur and his guitar duo Derelict Hands. As a dynamic instructor Russ actively expands his teaching studio and currently teaches guitarists of all ages and skill levels, ranging from classical to pop music. Russ attended the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he earned his Master’s degree under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed performers and pedagogues, Ricardo Iznaola and Jonathan Leathwood. In 2012 Russ completed his Bachelor’s degree in guitar studies with Robert Guthrie at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. His formal music training began at Collin College where he studied under Sabine Madriguera. Russ has been awarded several prizes for his playing, including several for his ensemble work at the Brownsville Guitar Festival and Competition.