Duende Chamber Music Duo from Solon, OH

Duende is an exciting duo which combines the sounds of the classical guitar and saxophone. A collaboration between guitarist Krystin O'Mara and saxophonist Ethan Miller, Duende represents a fresh, new direction in Contemporary Classical Music. Our musical philosophy is derived from traditional Flamenco terminology expressing, "having soul, a heightened state of emotion, and authenticity" - Duende. Performing a mixture of traditional Classical repertoire, Spanish and Flamenco influences, Jazz, Brazilian, World Music, and contemporary compositions, Duende provides highly entertaining, dynamic performances with a focus on audience accessible repertoire. Ethan Miller- Ethan Miller, saxophone, originally from Buffalo, New York, is quickly emerging as one of his generation's most versatile and sought after saxophonists. Mr. Miller is a Conn­-Selmer/Selmer Paris Performing Artist and has regularly appeared in international solo recitals, recording sessions, Classical ensembles, Pop/Rock and Jazz combos, Big Bands, and as a concerto soloist in the United States and Europe. An advocate for modern repertoire for the saxophone, he has premiered works by noted composers such as Dr. Frederick Koch, Dr. Thomas Janson, and members of the Cleveland Composer's Guild. Additionally, he has given solo performances with The 5th International Competition Adolphe Sax (Dinant, Belgium), Classical Radio WCLV, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Solon Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Bop Stop, Playhouse Square, and Cain Park Concert Series. He is a founding member of the Duende, the Cleveland Saxophone Quartet, Trio Diverso, and The Ethan Miller Jazztet. Other affiliations include positions as saxophonist and arranger for Abby Normal and the Detroit Lean, a group heralded by Cleveland's Plain Dealer as, “Northeast Ohio's Most Original Band.” As a recording artist, he has appeared courtesy of Ludwig Music and recorded modern works for the saxophone by composer Victoria Belfiglio. Mr. Miller regularly presents master classes for youth through college-level saxophonists throughout Ohio and Western New York. He has been awarded degrees with honors from the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music (B.M.) and Kent State University (M.M). Mr. Miller holds appointments as Assistant Professor of Music at Kent State University's Hugh A. Glauser School of Music and KSU Regional Campuses. He is an Adjunct Faculty member of the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music and Instructor of Woodwinds and Jazz Studies at Solon Center for the Arts. In addition, he maintains an extensive private teaching studio. Mr. Miller is a Conn-Selmer/Selmer Paris Performing Artist, a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 4 (Cleveland) and The North American Saxophone Alliance. Krystin O''Mara- Classical guitarist Krystin O'Mara's performances have been praised by audiences for displaying "wonderful energy, expressiveness, and a gorgeous tone." A 2013 prizewinner at the James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition and finalist at the Southern Guitar Competition, Krystin was the recipient of the Rosalia Alban Prize in Guitar and the Harold Randolph Prize in Performance. Highlights of recent seasons feature solo performances and chamber music collaborations throughout the United States, including the premiere of composer Viet Cuong's work “OBSESSION.” An active advocate of new music, Krystin performed Martin Herchenroder's “Landschaften,” a concerto for two guitars and orchestra, at Bowling Green State University's New Music Festival. The work was then recorded for a 2013 release on Albany records. Believing strongly in community outreach, Krystin acted as a site coordinator for The Creative Access – Peabody Conservatory's student outreach initiative – while in Baltimore. In Cleveland, she is regularly seen performing community concerts. A passionate and dedicated teacher, Krystin maintains a large studio throughout Cleveland's West Side. Krystin is a student of Jason Vieaux, where she is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Studies Certificate at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees simultaneously from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with Julian Gray.