PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Folias Duo is the celebrated pairing of flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. With over two decades of collaboration, they are renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation. Their original compositions, inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, transport audiences with vivid storytelling through music. This performance will feature highlights from their newest release, inspired by the Great Lakes.
After the Concert
Folias Duo has Great Lakes-themed handcrafted goods available, including their self-produced CDs, hand-poured soy candles, nature-inspired notecards in collaboration with Michigan artists, and Folias hats. Sign up for their mailing list tonight for a free artwork print.
BIO
"Theirs is a music that transcends genre and that ultimately brands itself as Folias Duo music, full stop." –Textura on Heartdance
Folias Duo is the celebrated pairing of flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron — a composer-performer ensemble two decades in the making. Renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation, they have developed a singular artistic voice through over 70 original compositions for their instrumentation, more than any duo of their kind worldwide. Inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, their music transports audiences with vivid storytelling.
Their discography includes nine albums — among them Heartdance, described by Fanfare Magazine as "a life-enhancing experience" — and their most recent release, Great Lakes. They have performed over 700 concerts across the U.S., South America, and Europe. This performance will feature highlights from Great Lakes.
As educators, Carmen and Andrew serve on the faculty at Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College. Carmen holds a Master of Music from Michigan State University and recently completed an appointment at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Andrew holds a Master of Music from Michigan State University, and his compositional work includes a symphony, a guitar concerto, and a flute concerto, which premiered this past fall.
Their artistry is inseparable from their way of life — built on intentional small-venue performance, self-directed touring, and a sustainable, independent model dedicated to craftsmanship, community, and the natural world.
