Kaija Lukas

b. February 11, 1987 Rapla

Born into musical family, Kaija Lukas found inspiration for violin studies from her grandfather Lembit Tatrik, who was long-time violinist at Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra. She began violin studies at Rapla Music School in 1993 under the guidance of Tekla Teppo and Reet Leinuste and continued at Tallinn Music High School with Tiiu Päeske. During her studies Lukas also participated at European Union Youth Orchestra’s work (2005–2006) and gave recitals with the orchestra all over the Europe. In 2006 Kaija Lukas entered Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, from where she obtained magister’s degree under the guidance of prof. Jacqueline Ross and Ofer Falk in 2012. During the studies she also spent half a year as a part of Erasmus program at Mozarteum University of Salzburg and also developed her skills at Temple University in Philadelphia, USA (2009–2010). In addition Kaija Lukas has developed her skills at several master courses and festivals in USA, France, Austria and Greece.

Since entering the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2006 Kaija Lukas lives and works in England. In addition to violin she is also an active violist, her versatile repertoire comprises solo concertos for both instruments. Lukas often prefers to play music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, also romantic music including Johannes Brahms. Kaija Lukas has led the Temple University Orchestra and Guildhall Orchestra at the Kimmel Centre and Barbican respectively. She has also performed at The Royal Festival Hall, The Walt Disney Hall (LA), The Philharmonie (Berlin), and The Concertgebouw (Amsterdam). As a chamber musician Kaija Lukas actively collaborates with pianist Sholto Kynoch, with who has performed at several concert venues in London and Oxford including St Martin-in-the-Field and Blackheath Hall. As a soloist Kaija Lukas has performed violin concertos by Jean Sibelius, Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Tchaikovsky with orchestras as Exeter University Symphony Orchestra, de Havilland Philharmonic and Torbay Symphony Orchestra. She has performed also with Estonian orchestras such as Pärnu City Orchestra and Pärnu Music Festival Orchestra and has been member of Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Tallinn International Youth Orchestra (concert master in 2005).

Currently Kaija Lukas is member of English Chamber Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Jigsaw Chamber Players, also chamber musician, soloist and teacher. Concert activity engages her also with Estonia, where she often performs at chamber concerts of Association of Estonian Professional Musicians and Pärnu Music Festival.

Kaija Lukas has won several prizes at national and international competitions including 3rd prize at ‘Remember Enescu’ (Romania 2004) and 1st prize at the National competitions of Estonia (2005 and 2007).

In 2013 Kaija Lukas founded with colleagues from English Chamber Orchestra ensemble Chamber Fayre which performs repertoire for unusual trio: violin/viola, flute and double bass.

© EMIC 2014

The texts on the EMIC's homepage are protected by the copyright law. They can be used for non-commercial purposes referring to the author (when specified) and source (Estonian Music Information Centre).