Cris Derksen: key obituary facts
Is Cris Derksen dead? Yes. Cris Derksen died on May 16, 2026, at age 45.
Cause of death: Cris Derksen's cause of death was reported as Traffic collision.
What was Cris Derksen known for?
She was a Canadian Indigenous cellist (1981–2026).
More about Cris Derksen
Born: 1981.
Place of birth: Alberta.
Gender: female.
Occupation: composer, cellist.
Nationality: Canada.
Education: University of British Columbia, Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts.
Awards: Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Sound Design/Composition.
Also known as: Crystal Dawn Derksen.
Cris Derksen, a Canadian Cree cellist and composer, died on May 16, 2026, in a traffic collision.
She was 45. Derksen was a Juno Award-nominated musician from Northern Alberta, Canada, known for blending classical music with traditional Indigenous music in a style often described as electronic cello or classical traditional fusion.
From North Tallcree reserve, she had Cree and Mennonite heritage. She studied at Victoria School for the Performing Arts in Edmonton and earned a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of British Columbia. Derksen also performed internationally and collaborated with artists including Kanye West, Kinnie Starr, Tanya Tagaq, Rae Spoon, and traditional pow wow groups.
Cris Derksen, 45, Canadian Cree cellist and composer, traffic collision.