Viola musician and educator Magner’s accolades include being named to CBC Music's "30 under 30" list in 2022 and winning various competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition and the OSJS Concerto Competition. Magner's passion for music extends beyond performance; he has transcribed numerous works by esteemed composers such as Bach, Lutoslawski, Paganini and Waxman for the viola. His solo engagements have taken him across Canada, the United States and Poland. In addition to his performance career, Magner is committed to education, having conducted master classes in the U.S. and Canada. His formative years under the tutelage of Natalia Kononova, concertmaster of the Drummondville Symphony Orchestra, laid the foundation for his musical journey. Magner holds an M.M. in viola performance from Yale University and has studied with renowned instructors Ettore Causa and André Roy.
Tell us about the classes you’ll be teaching this year.
In addition to viola lessons, studio classes and other viola-related activities, I'll be teaching a Beginning Violin Class. This class is designed for students who aren't violinists but want to gain a basic understanding of the instrument. The goal is to help them apply this knowledge to their classroom teaching. I'm looking forward to meeting the students and sharing some of my ideas with them!
What attracted you to the Butler School of Music and The University of Texas at Austin?
I believe it was a mix of several factors. The Butler School of Music is a great institution with world-class faculty and facilities. It fosters a strong sense of community, offering students the perfect environment to grow not just as musicians, but as people too. And Austin itself feels like such a lively cultural hub, full of chances to learn and develop. I'm excited to explore the city! It’s truly an honor to join such a welcoming and supportive community, and I’m eager to share some of my ideas while also learning from my colleagues and students.
How did your professional pathway lead to your artistic focus?
I actually began my musical journey on the violin before making the switch to the viola a few years ago. Around that time, I started exploring my own artistic voice and noticed a gap in the viola repertoire, especially when it came to virtuosic works. So, I began creating new viola transcriptions, and it turned out to be such a rewarding experience—not just for me, but for the audiences too! That inspired me to keep going in that direction. Nowadays, I focus mostly on recitals and chamber music. I truly believe there’s so much to learn from other musicians, and chamber music is one of the best ways to do that.
What’s something that students and colleagues should know about you?
I used to play competitive chess when I was a kid. Coming from a family of chess players, I’ve been playing chess even longer than I’ve been playing an instrument. I eventually stopped competing during my teenage years, but I got back into it in my late teens when I spent a few years teaching chess in primary schools back in Canada. I still enjoy playing the occasional match and keep a close eye on the competitive scene.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching/researching/working?
I’m a big fan of chess, and I love listening to music from all genres and periods. Recently, my playlist included Gesualdo, TWICE, Bach and Billie Eilish. Reading is another passion of mine — Haruki Murakami is probably my favorite author. I also really enjoy spending time with my four younger siblings.