Duo Axis + Lilit Hartunian: Solos, Duos, Trios

Marti Epstein: (the sky is our) tiny oyster, for two toy pianos (ft Marti Epstein!)

Katie Balch: thread, unfurled, for flute and piano

Marti Epstein: A Terrarium for Lilit, for solo violin

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Henri Dutilleux: Sonatine, for flute and piano

Bohuslav Martinů: Trio for flute, violin, and piano

Proceeds from tonight's concert will benefit Tenderloin Opera Company in Providence RI, a music and homeless services charity, and Music Therapy programs provided by Community Music Center of Boston at local day habilitation clinics.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

LILIT HARTUNIAN, VIOLIN, performs at the forefront of contemporary music innovation, both as soloist and highly in-demand collaborative artist. First prize winner in the 2021 Black House Collective New Music Soloist Competition, her "Paganiniesque virtuosity” and “captivating and luxurious tone” (Boston Musical Intelligencer) are frequently on display at major concert halls and leading academic institutions, where she often appears as both soloist and new music specialist. Ms. Hartunian appears regularly with A Far Cry, Emmanuel Music, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Sound Icon, and Ludovico Ensemble. Recent highlights include co-founding violin and cimbalom duo Lamnth, performing at the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligeti 100” chamber music concerts in Symphony Hall, and appearing on the 2023 Grammy winning album for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Described as “brilliantly rhapsodic” by the Harvard Crimson, Ms. Hartunian can be heard on New Focus Records, Innova Recording, Albany Records, and New Amsterdam Records. For recordings, photos, and news, visit www.lilithartunian.com

ZACH SHEETS enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer/composer, orchestral flutist, chamber musician, and advocate for funding in the performing arts and music education. At 23, Zach was named Principal Flute, Lyndon Paul Lorusso Chair, of the Cape Symphony Orchestra, and held that role for 9 seasons. He is a founding member of the [Switch~ Ensemble] and flute and piano Duo Axis. Zach has appeared as a guest member of the Boston Pops, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and as Guest Principal Flute with the Boston Ballet and Spoleto Festival USA; the Portland, Albany and Cape Symphonies; and the Phoenix, Unitas, and Cape Cod Chamber Orchestras. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has been presented at Jordan Hall in Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, University of Chicago, the Priem Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), and many more, at festivals and universities across the US, Latin America, and Europe. By day, Zach is a nonprofit professional, having recently led a $20 million capital campaign at Community Music Center of Boston for the acquisition and renovation of a major new cultural facility. He holds degress from Harvard and the Eastman School of Music.

Described as “brilliant” by the Pittsburgh Tribune, WEI-HAN WU is active as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor, and vocal coach. He has performed in venues such as the Chicago Cultural Center, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. He has been a featured performer at the Tanglewood, Aspen, Castleton, Lake George, and Walla Walla Chamber Music Festivals. ​Wei-Han is currently pianist for the [Switch~ Ensemble] as well as Duo Axis. He is currently on faculty at Peabody Conservatory, and served on the faculty for WNO’s Opera Institute. A sought-after freelancer in the D.C. area, Wei-Han is the pianist for The Washington Chorus, the Washington Bach Consort, and he collaborates frequently with members of the NSO, WNO, and the premiere military bands. A member of Pi Kappa Lambda, he is the recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Juilliard School, the Felicia Montealegre Fellowship from the Tanglewood Music Center, and the Collaborative Piano Fellowship from Bard College. Wu holds degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music, where he received doctoral degrees in both piano performance and collaborative piano.

As DUO AXIS, flutist Zach Sheets and pianist Wei-Han Wu present vibrant performances of music both new and old. We champion the thrilling potential of authentic duo playing, and the unbridled possibilities of flute and piano collaboration. We have performed throughout the US and Europe, in recitals, teaching engagements, and community-based events. Duo Axis projects and commissions have been funded by the Amphion Foundation, Barlow Endowment, Arts Center of the Capitol Region, Copland Fund, Ditson Fund, Koussevitzky Foundation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, New Music USA, and St. Botolph Club.Recent university engagements include: Brown University, UC Davis, UC San Diego, University of Chicago, University of Iowa Center for New Music, Mizzou New Music, Union College, University at Buffalo, and more. Performances have been presented by: Qubit (NYC), EQ Concerts (Boston, MA), Æpex Contemporary Performance (Ann Arbor, MI), Houston Flute Club, Cape Symphony Chamber Series, Valencia International Performance Academy, and the Creative Arts Initiative (Buffalo, NY). During these engagements, we often partner with community-based agencies, like Community Music Center of Boston, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Buffalo String Works, or the Washington Music Teachers Association.

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