August Karjus ( October 3, 1906 Tallinn - April 29, 1970 Baltimore ) was an Estonian cellist and music teacher.
He began his music studies with the game of mandolin. In 1934 he graduated from the Tallinn Conservatory in the cello class of Raimond Bööcke , continued his studies with Maurice Maréchal in Paris in 1937 and in the summer courses in Salzburg in 1943 .
He was the concertmaster of the cello group of the Radio Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra from 1930 and a cello teacher at the Tallinn Conservatory from 1935 to 1970 , having been an associate professor since 1947 . His students have been Kaarel Vihermäe , Laine Leichter , Jaan Reinaste , Toomas Tummeleht , Toomas Velmet , Ivo Juul , Evi Olt and Mai Rõuk .
He has performed as a soloist (accompanied by Karl Sillakivi , Elsa Avesson , Helju Tauk and other pianists) and has played in almost every chamber ensemble in Tallinn, including the string quartet of the Estonian Academic Society of Sound Artists (with Rudolf Palm , Herbert Laane and Artur Saad ) . In the quartet of the National Conservatory (with Vladimir Alumäe , Endel Lippus and Herbert Laan ) and the trio with Herbert Laane and Elsa Avesson. He was one of the creators of many Estonian composers ( Eduard Oja ,First performer of cello and chamber works by Heino Eller , Eugen Kapi and others ( Erich Jalajas has dedicated a cello sonata to his memory). Critics have highlighted his spacious, soft-sounding and supportive tone.
August Shepherd died on April 29, 1970 in Baltimore , while visiting relatives in the United States .
