Trio Confero was founded in 2018 by clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov as an expansion of his long-standing collaboration with Japanese pianist Misuzu Tanaka. Since 2012, the two have performed extensively as the Shtrykov–Tanaka Duo. Trio Confero extends this artistic partnership into the rich repertoire for clarinet, cello, and piano, with a particular focus on expressive performances and rarely heard masterworks. The ensemble brings together three accomplished musicians whose artistry has been shaped by studies at The Juilliard School and other leading conservatories, as well as distinctions earned at major international competitions. United by a shared commitment to thoughtful programming and compelling chamber music, the trio is dedicated to creating engaging musical experiences for audiences.

Confero is a Latin verb meaning "to bring together, unite, and contribute"—a fitting reflection of the ensemble's artistic philosophy. From beloved works by Beethoven, Brahms, Bruch, Fauré, and Glinka to compelling twentieth- and twenty-first-century repertoire by composers including Nino Rota, Robert Muczynski, John Ireland, Isang Yun, and Magnus Lindberg, Trio Confero explores the remarkable breadth of literature written for this distinctive combination of instruments.

Praised for its "sparkling virtuosity" and "outstanding talent" by Ponca City News, the trio has appeared at Les Pianos Folies du Touquet in France, the 3rd International Cello Festival, and Nádor Hall in Hungary, as well as on concert series throughout the United States, including the Fairmont Chamber Music Society, Summer Stars Classical Series, Ponca City Concert Series, Rappahannock Concert Association, Los Gatos Community Concerts Association, Del Norte Curry Community Concert Association, Ridotto Classical Concerts, and the Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society. Highlights of the 2026–27 season include engagements with Gretna Music, Asheville Chamber Music Concerts, Wofford College's Benjamin B. Dunlap Chamber Music Series, Placitas Artists Series, and Concerts at 3 in Catonsville.

MAKSIM SHTRYKOV Clarinet: Belarusian-born American clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov [pronounced: sh-TRY-koff] is quickly gaining renown as an artist of remarkable charisma and extraordinary musicianship, and has been hailed for “clarity that’s viscerally breathtaking” and “effortless…quicksilver legato” (Lucid Culture, NYC). About his recent duo recital Shelter Island Reporter (NY) wrote: “[Duo] enchanted the audience with their technique and style and generated standing ovations from the sold-out crowd”

A recipient of the Artists International New York Debut Award, Maksim presented his Carnegie Hall debut recital at Weill Hall in 2007. A passionate advocate of clarinet music, he is on a continuous quest of expanding his instrument’s repertoire, bringing to light rarely performed masterpieces by forgotten masters.

In the past seasons, Maksim appeared with the Amadeus Festival Orchestra and gave numerous concerts around the country with appearances on the Chamber Music Society of Maryland, Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ), Parrish Art Museum Series (NY), Black Hills Chamber Music Society (SD), Cedarhurst Chamber Music (IL), Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society (CA), Rochester Institute of Technology Artist Series, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (IL), Shorter University’s Guest Artist Series (GA), and Summer Stars Classical Series (NJ) among many others.

Maksim is a prizewinner of many competitions including the Dmytro Bida International Woodwind Competition (Lviv, Ukraine), Brahms Chamber Music Competition (Gdansk, Poland), and “Salieri - Zinetti” International Chamber Music Competition (Verona, Italy).

Maksim Shtrykov began clarinet studies at the age of nine in his native Belarus. He later became the first Belarusian woodwind player to get accepted to the Juilliard School where he was awarded a degree of Master of Music as a scholarship student in the celebrated studio of Charles Neidich.

EMIL OLEJNIK, Cello: Emil is an award‑winning Polish cellist based in New York, known for his expressive sound and thoughtful musicianship. He recently completed his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where he also earned his Bachelor’s degree, studying under Natasha Brodsky, Nina Lee, Joel Krosnick, and Richard Aaron.

A prize winner of more than twenty national and international competitions, Emil has received distinctions including the Grand Prix at the ARS Lithuanica SummerFest in Vilnius and First Prize at the CEA Polish National Cello Competition. His chamber music work has taken him to festivals such as the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Allegro Vivo Festival, Zenon Brzewski International Music Festival, and the Chamber Music Academy with the Scharoun Ensemble.

Emil is also a recipient of several prestigious artistic and educational scholarships, among them the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage “Young Poland” Scholarship and the First Lady of Poland Agata Kornhauser‑Duda Scholarship.

He has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Rzeszów Symphony Orchestra, performing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, and the Warmian‑Masurian Symphony Orchestra in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto. In addition to his solo and chamber work, Emil is active across New York’s vibrant musical community, bringing his distinctive artistry to a wide range of collaborations.

MISUZU TANAKA, Piano: Hailed by international press as a pianist whose “readings are very convincing” Fanfare Magazine and for her “exceptionally high technical level” General-Anzeiger Bonn, Misuzu Tanaka has established herself as an artist of remarkable individuality.

She has performed in prestigious concert venues throughout the world, from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and Mozart’s Museum at Villa Bertramka in Prague to Alice Tully Hall in New York, and is also a respected regular performer for Music from the Frederick Collection, a leading North-American venue for performance on historical instruments.

Her debut album, “Misuzu Tanaka in Concert”, which was recorded live on the Concertant Classics label, features works by Leoš Janáček and J. S. Bach, two composers who have been a constant source of her musical inspiration. Additionally, she has released a debut album “Epilogues” with clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov, which focuses on four clarinet sonatas that are among the last works of three leading composers – Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saens and Francis Poulenc.

Born in London, United Kingdom where she began her piano lessons at age 5, she then continued her studies in Japan and in the United States with Martin Canin at The Juilliard School. Her Masters and Doctoral degrees are from University of Michigan where she was a full scholarship recipient and devoted much time to the study and performance of the works of Leoš Janáček, which led to further studies with Miroslav Brejcha and the late Ivan Moravec in the Czech Republic.          

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