Duo Tokár
Ann Geerts
Duo Tokár emerged in 2021 from a long-standing friendship between Emile Souvagie (clarinet) and Hannelore Vander Elst (classical guitar). The name of the duo refers to the Spanish word "tocar", which means to play, to touch and to move. The unusual combination of clarinet and guitar forms a unique starting point for a surprising musical exploration. With refreshing arrangements, the duo opens up a new sound world in which they alternate hidden gems with melodies that belong to the collective memory. Duo Tokár places all these works in a new light and thus builds a bridge from Belgium to Brazil, from classical to jazz.
Hannelore Vander Elst (°1995, Bornem) started taking classical guitar lessons at the age of 9 with Ward Pauwels at the music academy in Bornem. In 2013 she graduated with highest distinction from the SLAC in Leuven with Antoon Vandeborght.
In 2016 she obtained her Bachelor's degree with highest distinction in the class of Johan Fostier at the Fontys Conservatory in Tilburg. She then continued her studies with a Master of Music with Laura Young at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, where she graduated with highest distinction in 2019.
During her studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, she founded the Mozaik Guitar Quartet with three fellow students. With this guitar quartet, Hannelore played several concerts in Austria and Germany. In 2019, the ensemble won 1st prize at the 10th Savarez-Corelli Chamber Music Competition in Salzburg, as well as 1st prize at the International Paola Ruminelli Chamber Music Competition in Domodossola, Italy.
From an early age, Hannelore participated in master classes and competitions in Belgium and abroad. She won the first prize at the Belfius Classics (2012), was a finalist in the International Young Talents Competition in Uppsala, Sweden (2017) and won the 2nd prize at the prestigious international competition M. Llobet in Barcelona (2018). At guitar festivals in Koblenz and Iserlohn, she took master classes with Marcin Dylla, Zoran Dukic, Aniello Desiderio and Ricardo Gallen, among others.
Emile Souvagie (°1999) started playing the clarinet at the Academy for Performing Arts in Aalst with Angélique Steenhaut. He finished his high school studies at the Lemmens Institute with Greet Severens. In 2021 he obtained his Master's degree at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels with highest distinction in the class of Benjamin Dieltjens. In between he also studied one year at the Kungliga Musikhögskolan in Stockholm with Hermann Stefánsson.
Beginning in October 2021, he will continue his studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne with Ralph Manno. At the same time, he will pursue a master's degree in historical performance practice in Brussels.
He already won the 'BeNeLux Clarinet Competition 2014 Ghent' in his category and was a finalist of the 'Young Belgian Talent Competition 2015' in Bozar. He followed master classes all over Europe with Martin Fröst, Charles Neidich, Harri Mäki, Yehuda Gilad, Philippe Berrod, Laura Ruiz Ferreres, Andreas Sundén and Patrick Messina, among others.
Emile already gained orchestral experience with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Lumen Symphonicum, Frascati Symphonic, the Koninklijke Muziekkapel van de Gidsen and on historical clarinets with Capriola Di Gioia and as a member of the Collegium Vocale Gent Academy conducted by Philippe Herreweghe. In 2020, he was selected as principal clarinettist for the National Youth Orchestra (NJO) and the Youth Orchestra Flanders (YOF).
In chamber music, he and his Trio de Staël (clarinet-cello-piano) were invited to represent the Royal Conservatory of Brussels at the 'European Chamber Music Academy 2019' in Leipzig. Furthermore, he is a founding member of the Firgun Ensemble. With this chamber music group (clarinet and string quartet) Emile became the winner of the first prize and the audience prize at the 'Storioni Willem Twee Concours 2018' in 's Hertogenbosch. This gave them the opportunity to make a recording for NPO Radio 4, live from the Spiegelzaal of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. They continued their studies at the Netherlands String Quartet Academy (NSKA).
Together with guitarist Hannelore Vander Elst he founded Duo Tokár and as one of 'De Twintigers' he was selected by Klara to give a recital from the Toots Studio together with pianist Alexander Declercq.