Violist Kal Sugatski performs regularly with the New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, New York City Ballet, International Contemporary Ensemble, New Jersey Symphony, and on Broadway. They have also appeared with Stevie Wonder, Ben Folds, Norah Jones, Andrea Bocelli, and The National. Their playing can be heard on over 50 recordings and soundtracks, including Judas and the Black Messiah, and other grammy-winning
Kal was named 2022 Mainer of the Year for their newest project Vigorous Tenderness, an experimental outdoor concerts series centered around composers of color, queer composers, and other marginalized voices in classical music (ig: @vigorous.tenderness). A catalyst for radical change in the arts, Vigorous Tenderness presents relevant, powerful concert experiences that respond to immediate social, political, and environmental circumstances. These experimental performances resemble an art museum experience, with chamber music ensembles spread across the landscape while the audience forges a self-curated path through the installation. To date, more than 6,000 community members have attended Vigorous Tenderness concerts.
Kal was a 2021-2022 season musician with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They were a member of New World Symphony, where they were co-principal violist under the baton of Michael Tilson-Thomas and gave their solo debut. They have been featured on NPR twice, both as a soloist and chamber musician. Their 2022-2023 season highlights include performances with the New York Philharmonic, concerts with ChamberQUEER, international touring with American Contemporary Music Ensemble and Max Richter, and community concerts all over NYC with Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Kal is a native of Portland, Maine and holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music. In their spare time they are a long-distance backpacker, winter hiker, ocean swimmer, and nature enthusiast.
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