Charles Sunie

Charles Sunie, age 13, began his musical training on the piano at five. Showing a true passion for music, he added the cello at the age of ten under the tutelage of Michael Van Der Sloot. Studying with cellists Johanne Perron and John Kadz in Calgary, he excelled in just two years of study. He won a scholarship in the Pathways Performance program and the Canadian Music Competition National Audition in 2023. Charles attended Orford Musique in Quebec and performed at the students’ recital at Gilles-Lefebvre Concert Hall. Adding to his list of achievements in cello, Charles performed with the Mount Royal Conservatory Sinfonia in May 2024 as a Concerto Competition winner in 2023. His Piano Trio competed at the Calgary Performing Arts Festival in April 2024, scoring high marks of 98.5% and being chosen as a CPAF star. Charles has been accepted by both MeadowMount School of Music and Heifetz International Music Institute in 2024. Since 2019, Charles has been part of the Sunie Brothers Duo, achieving 1st Place in the 4-hands piano category for 13-year-olds at the Canadian Music Competition at age 11. Charles has received numerous awards and scholarships at local, national, and international piano competitions. Awards include 1st Place in the Rocky Mountain International Piano Competition, 4th Place in the Canadian Music Competition (Piano), and 1st Place in the Calgary Performing Arts Festival Concerto Competition (2019). As a composer for cello, piano, violin, and Disney animation, Charles secured 1st Prize in the 2022 ARMTA Student Composer Competition and received an Honorable Mention in the 15-year-old category in 2023 and 2024. He published compositions for violin solo in “Creatures” (2022). Currently, he is exploring various piano techniques for an upcoming album. Charles is the principal cellist of the Mount Royal Conservatory Sinfonia Orchestra. Engaging in diverse interests, Charles is a co-founder of ArtsandBeyond.org and volunteers there. Alongside competition math, speech, and debate, he is a semi-finalist in the C.I.S.A.A. tournament as a member of Webber Academy's Badminton Team in 2024. He also explores drums, guitar, and saxophone. Enrolled in the Mount Royal Conservatory Academy and APP Program for Cello and Piano, Charles participates in various ensembles. He is a guest accompanist for the school elementary choir and showcases his saxophone versatility in the school band. In addition to his musical development, he takes vocal and harmony lessons.