Folias Duo

Folias Duo, composed of flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron, is an avant-garde duo acclaimed for their deft merging of European classical music with jazz, world music, and improvisation. The couple's longstanding performer-composer collaboration over two decades infuses their music with an uncommonly intimate sensibility. The pair have been noted for their versatility as composers and performers, pushing the bounds of flute and guitar combinations with their meticulously crafted sonic landscapes. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Folias Duo has captured audiences across the United States, South America, and Europe, with a repertoire specially curated for aficionados of creative, artistic, and innovative musical experiences. The Duo has graced renowned venues like the Detroit Institute of Arts and Chicago Botanic Gardens, while their self-booked 2022 tour featured an impressive twenty concerts throughout the western United States. They have also embraced virtual performances, hosting over twenty live-stream concerts during the 2020-2021 season. Folias Duo’s discography spans seven albums on the Blue Griffin Recording and their own Folias Music labels, each showcasing their original compositions and arrangements. Their upcoming album, Heartdance, set for a summer 2023 release, promises to continue their tradition of adventurous music-making. Nature plays an essential role in their creative process, with the duo drawing profound inspiration from national parks and forests. Folias Duo has served as Artists-in-Residence at Isle Royale National Park and composed music inspired by places like Big Bend National Park. Apart from their performance endeavors, Maret and Bergeron also impart their knowledge and passion for music through teaching. They offer private lessons in flute, guitar, and composition via the Folias Music School and serve as adjunct professors in various music disciplines at Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College. Their commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians further solidifies their multifaceted contributions to the music scene.