Sophia Battel is a cellist from Kingston Ontario. She is going into her third year in the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Ottawa under the tutelage of Paul Marleyn. Since attending uOttawa, Sophia has been involved in multiple chamber groups through the school’s chamber music program; this year alone she has played in a string quintet, the conductors’ ensemble, and the Brahms Bb Major Sextet, which recently performed the first movement at the NAC Fourth Stage. Sophia has also played in the school’s orchestra every year, in which she has been principal cellist. In May 2022, Sophia will be performing the first movement of Haydn’s C Major cello concerto with the Kingston Youth Orchestra where, prior to university, she held the position of principal cellist. She has also performed Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat with the Brockville Community Choir and played with Queen’s University cello orchestra. Sophia received scholarships from the Volunteer Committee of the Kingston Symphony Association and played both cello and piano at the Symphony’s yearly fundraiser. Participating in Kingston’s Kiwanis Music Festival, she has won many awards for various instruments including voice.
