Cris Derksen Quartet

The Cris Derksen Quartet is renowned for its riveting performances. The Internationally acclaimed ensemble includes the talents of Juno-nominated Cree cellist Cris Derksen, artist and storyteller from the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach Marie-Celine Charron Einish, Tuscarora/Gaelic Singer Rebecca Benson, and professional percussion and jazz drumming musician Stefan Schneider.

In a world where almost everything — people, music, cultures — gets labelled and slotted into simple categories, Cris Derksen represents a challenge. Originally from Northern Alberta she comes from a line of chiefs from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genredefying music.