Canadian cellist Martin Krátký has been hailed as a skillful and deeply expressive artist, whether playing as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral section leader, or continuo player. Principal cellist of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra since 2009, Martin is also a core member of the Okanagan Symphony.
Recent performances include three concerts as soloist in Anna Clyne's cello concerto, DANCE, with the Okanagan Symphony in October 2025. In July 2025, Martin performed in Early Music Vancouver's Silk Strings program on a baroque cello made in 1780s Turin, generously loaned to Martin for this project. Hungry for Resonance, a recital project Martin launched with pianist Paul Dykstra in early 2024, saw 100% proceeds go to the Central Okanagan Food Bank, almost $1700. Martin and Paul also performed a program as guest artists in the St. Albert Chamber Music Society concert series.
Over the years, Martin has collaborated with singer-songwriters, dancers, Yoga and Tai Chi instructors, sand painters, filmmakers, and multimedia artists in a diverse range of performance projects. As a founding member of the Sycamore String Quartet, Martin has performed in a dozen cities and towns in BC's Southern Interior, including the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. Both as part of the quartet and as a solo artist, Martin has worked with local composers and premiered their compositions.
A graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's of Music in Performance degree (Honours), and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a Master's of Music in Historical Performance, Martin also completed two masterclass/orchestral residencies at the Banff Centre. Working intensively with members of the former St. Lawrence, Orford, Colorado, and Miró String Quartets in various chamber music festivals and courses across North America really imparted a love and passion for chamber music. Right after grad school, Martin won the position of principal cellist of the Saskatoon Symphony.
Equally committed to teaching as he is to performing, Martin maintains a large and diverse studio of learners through the Kelowna Community Music School and the Kamloops Symphony Music School. Meeting students as an equal - creating a safe space for their thoughts and feelings - sparking their curiosity - being completely present and caring - inspiring them to go deeper, and to be skillful with their time and effort -- these are the values and aspirations Martin brings to his teaching, and to serve as a musical mentor for learners both young and old. Since 2017, Martin has been a regular faculty member at Strings the Thing summer camp.
From the six months he spent training at the remote Japanese Zen temple Antaiji, to the work of hand-building a home and infrastructure on an off-grid property with his partner and parents, Martin’s life experiences have shaped his values and music in a deep ways. As an amateur runner, Martin has often medaled in local long-distance road races run by the Interior Running Association.
Martin Krátký performs on a cello made for him in Montréal by Lucas Castera and bows by Trevor Ewert.