Duosolo

DuoSolo was founded in 2006 by flutist Mary Fukushima and pianist Michael Kirkendoll with the mission to explore the most complex and challenging work for flute/piano duo in the contemporary repertoire.  As virtuoso solo performers, DuoSolo seeks to demonstrate the diversity and range of contemporary compositional idioms by performing music that steps away from the traditional soloist/accompanist model and puts both instruments on equal footing. In addition to the complex duo repertoire that frames each program, a DuoSolo concert always features contemporary solo repertoire for each instrument as well. This programming style allows DuoSolo to present an immense variety of repertoire, creating recitals that open audiences to all avenues in contemporary music performance and composition. To date, DuoSolo has commissioned or premiered over one hundred new works by composers including David Rakowski, Gabriela Lena Frank, Forrest Pierce, and numerous emerging composers. Their debut CD was entitled Bison Circles.

A major part of DuoSolo’s activity is to expand this repertoire through commissioning and educational projects, including the Cortona Sessions for New Music. The Cortona Sessions is DuoSolo’s summer educational program in Italy which brings young composers and performers together for collaboration, study, and performance of new works. The members of DuoSolo have shared their passion for new music at festivals and with orchestras around the U.S., including the Indianapolis Symphony, the Indiana State University New Music Festival, and with Jennifer Higdon at the University of Wyoming New Frontiers Festival. DuoSolo is the recipient of grants from the American Composers Forum and United States Artists, featuring the flute and piano music of American composer Forrest Pierce, released in 2014.

DuoSolo currently resides in Oklahoma where they sponsor the OK New Music Project and work to encourage the appreciation of new music from audiences in communities throughout the Great Plains.