Duo Chromatika is the dynamic partnership of violinist Julia Mirzoev and violinist/violist/guitarist Russell Iceberg — two versatile artists who blur the boundaries between classical tradition, jazz virtuosity, and the freedom of improvisation. The name Chromatika, derived from the Greek word for “color,” reflects their vision of illuminating the vast palette of tonal, timbral, and stylistic possibilities within their playing. Winners of national and international awards, Julia and Russell infuse their partnership with a rare blend of technical mastery, imagination, and artistic individuality. Partners both on and off stage, they invite audiences to embark on Off the Page, their touring program that reimagines repertoire across eras and genres.

Individual biographies

Violinist Julia Mirzoev is known for her warm tone, grace, and fierce attack (California Music Center). A native of Toronto, she has been featured on CBC’s “Top 30 Classical Musicians Under 30.”

Julia has earned major distinctions, including prizes for commissioned works at both the Michael Hill and Irving M. Klein International Competitions, top awards at the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Competition, the Canadian Music Competition, and first prizes at the Crescendo International and Cremona Music Festival competitions. She has appeared as soloist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Brampton Rose Orchestra, Scarborough Philharmonic, Sinfonia Toronto, Orchestra Toronto, and the Montréal Bach Festival Orchestra.

An avid chamber musician, Julia has performed with the New Orford String Quartet, Roger Tapping, Anthony Marwood, Colin Carr, Barry Shiffman, Violaine Melançon, Elizabeth Dolin, Mark Fewer, and members of the Doric and Danish String Quartets.

A graduate of Yale University, McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the Rebanks Family Fellowship at the Glenn Gould School, Julia comes from a family of music pedagogues. She coaches at the Royal Conservatory’s Taylor Academy and for l’Orchestre des Jeunes du Mont-Royal. Julia performs on a Gennaro Gagliano violin on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts. Her mentors include Jonathan Crow, Andrew Wan, Barry Shiffman, Ani Kavafian, and Jacob Lakirovich.

Recent highlights include performances with the Montréal Chamber Music Festival, Amici Ensemble, the Art of Time Ensemble, the Happenstancers, Concerts aux Îles du Bic, Pro Musica Montréal, the Syrinx Series, Ottawa Chamberfest, Stratford Summer Music, the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, and the Banff Centre’s String Quartet Festival. Upcoming engagements include appearances with the Lakeshore series, Sylva Camerata, the Happenstancers, recitals with Pro Musica, Festival International du Bach, and solo performances with Sinfonia Toronto and the Newfoundland symphony orchestra.

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