Duo Vela's goal is to transport audiences to distant lands by playing music from many cultures, displaying the beauty of diversity that exists in the world. Their repertoire includes adventurous and daring music by living composers, as well as standard classics by great composers of the past.
"Beyond being a truly outstanding musical performance, the relevance of your mission is of vital importance to today’s world."
--- Anon. audience member: Porter Center, Brevard College
While their programs aim to transport audiences, the duo are themselves transported, having performed internationally and at major festivals around the USA. Duo Vela have delighted in sharing Western music with Chinese audiences, and Chinese music with Western audiences. Australian music is often featured in their programs, transporting audiences to the outback desert and harsh climates of the Australian wilderness. Argentinian music tells the story of the evolution of the tango, and makes audience's feet itch to dance.
The flute lends itself so naturally to French music, and Duo Vela includes gorgeous French works such as Debussy's Clair de Lune, and Satie's Gymnopedie no. 01 in their repertoire. These and other French classics were featured on their debut album Soirée d'hiver (Winter evening), released in June 2015.
"I love the CD (Soirée d'hiver) - it's beautifully calming - more so than yoga! The first time I heard it, I cried a little. I needed that kind of outlet... Listening to your playing restored me to a plane higher than normal."
--- Anon. audience member: Geelong, Australia
Duo Vela are also active in arranging music for flute and guitar, having already arranged Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Future planned arrangements include Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and Brahms' Hungarian Dances. Additional expansion of the flute and guitar repertoire is achieved through commissions by leading composers, beginning with acclaimed composer John Anthony Lennon, professor of composition at Emory College in Atlanta, GA.
"Together they create an astoundingly beautiful world of sound"
---Nicholas Goluses: Professor of Guitar, Eastman School of Music
"Beyond being a truly outstanding musical performance, the relevance of your mission is of vital importance to today’s world."
--- Anon. audience member: Porter Center, Brevard College
While their programs aim to transport audiences, the duo are themselves transported, having performed internationally and at major festivals around the USA. Duo Vela have delighted in sharing Western music with Chinese audiences, and Chinese music with Western audiences. Australian music is often featured in their programs, transporting audiences to the outback desert and harsh climates of the Australian wilderness. Argentinian music tells the story of the evolution of the tango, and makes audience's feet itch to dance.
The flute lends itself so naturally to French music, and Duo Vela includes gorgeous French works such as Debussy's Clair de Lune, and Satie's Gymnopedie no. 01 in their repertoire. These and other French classics were featured on their debut album Soirée d'hiver (Winter evening), released in June 2015.
"I love the CD (Soirée d'hiver) - it's beautifully calming - more so than yoga! The first time I heard it, I cried a little. I needed that kind of outlet... Listening to your playing restored me to a plane higher than normal."
--- Anon. audience member: Geelong, Australia
Duo Vela are also active in arranging music for flute and guitar, having already arranged Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Future planned arrangements include Vivaldi's Four Seasons, and Brahms' Hungarian Dances. Additional expansion of the flute and guitar repertoire is achieved through commissions by leading composers, beginning with acclaimed composer John Anthony Lennon, professor of composition at Emory College in Atlanta, GA.
"Together they create an astoundingly beautiful world of sound"
---Nicholas Goluses: Professor of Guitar, Eastman School of Music
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Performances:
USA: Tidewater Classical Guitar Society, VA Roberts Weslyan College, Rochester NY Virginia Weslyan College, VA Porter Center, Brevard College NC Australia: Grove Classics Concert Series, Perth WA High Court of Australia Concert Series, Canberra ACT Melbourne Guitar Foundation, VIC Clem Jones City Hall Concert Series, Brisbane QLD Sydney Classical Guitar Society Canberra Classical Guitar Society Hobart Classical Guitar Society Victorian Flute Guild, Melbourne VIC Classical Guitar Society of Victoria New Zealand: Auckland Classical Guitar Society Hamilton Classical Guitar Society Taranaki Classical Guitar Society Timaru Classical Guitar Society Wellington Classical Guitar Society China: Shanghai International Arts Co. Guitarw Music Workshop |
Festivals:
National Flute Association’s (NFA) 44th Annual Convention, San Diego CA 2017 Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, Washington D.C. High Court of Australia Concert Series, Canberra Radio: WXXI Backstage Pass hosted by Julia Figueras 3MBS Fine Music Radio SBS Radio Guitar Conversations Podcast with Sergio Ercole Residencies: Avaloch Farm Music Institute, NH |
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“Marla Nistico is an exciting, passionate, and compelling flutist and musician. She is among the most gifted of her generation and has a wonderful career ahead of her as a concert flutist!” —Bonita Boyd
Marla Nistico is a passionate performer whose work seeks to demonstrate the virtuosic and expressive qualities of the solo flute. As an educator, she aims to discover and unlock the potential in each unique individual and set them on the various paths to fulfilling and creative futures. As an active member in the flute community, Marla has judged for the National Flute Association (Collegiate Flute Choir Competition ’16), performed at both NFA and Mid-Atlantic Flute Conventions, and served on the board of the Rochester Flute Association (2014-2016). From 2015-2016, Marla was the Adjunct Flute Instructor at the State University of NY at Oswego. She is now the Adjunct Lecturer of Flute in the scenic mountains of Maryland at Frostburg State University where she teaches privately. “Marla Smith is an elegant and spectacular flutist who plays with extraordinary color and flair.” —Nicholas Goluses: Professor of Guitar, Eastman School of Music Marla has performed in masterclasses for Andreas Blau, Aaron Goldman, Mimi Stillman, Ransom Wilson, Carol Wincenc, Brooks de Wetter-Smith, and has attended the Aspen Music Festival and the Aria International Summer Institute. As a soloist, Marla has won 1st place in the Richmond Flute Fest, the South Carolina Flute Society’s Young Artist Competition, and the Great Composers Competition Series, for the 2017 Schubert category. Marla enjoys joining forces with her husband in flute and guitar ensemble, Duo Vela. They formed in 2014 while studying at the Eastman School of Music, and have since toured extensively across Eastern China, Australia, and New Zealand. Her primary teachers have included: Bonita Boyd, Dr. Tabatha Easley, & Patti R. Watters. Academic History: First lesson at age 7 Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA - Patti R. Watters Virginia Commonwealth University - Dr. Tabatha Easley Eastman School of Music - Bonita Boyd |
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Daniel is a passionate performer, teacher, and pedagogue, and specializes in the performance practice of 18th and 19th century guitar music. His teaching and research aims to revitalize the concept of being a well-rounded musician, with emphasis on musical ideas that can lead to deeper interpretive understanding, and tools for composing and improvising.
“Daniel is one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation” --- Nicholas Goluses: Professor of Guitar, Eastman School of Music Daniel constantly strives to promote guitar music that has not had the fortune of being widely performed, and his debut solo album Un Viaje Mistico... A Mystical Journey contains some hidden gems of the guitar repertoire. Speaking on the inspiration for the album, Daniel says that “it is a testament to my experience learning under [teachers] Tonié Field and Dr. Donna Coleman at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.” “Daniel’s interpretation [of Sevilla] brings a quality that I’ve not heard in many recordings. It’s rather laid-back, unhurried, unfussy and the lines, voices and phrasing within the music are so very clear... I may even be so bold as to say this is currently my favourite recorded version of Sevilla.” --- Nicole Neal: Classical Guitar n Stuff CD Review Daniel has performed around the world, both as a soloist, and with his wife and flute partner as Duo Vela. Daniel's goal through performance is to spread greater awareness of the scope and expressive power of the guitar and its repertoire. Academic History: Daniel's first guitar lessons began at age 12 with his father. Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) Young Academy - Susan Elliss Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) - Benjamin Dix Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) - Tonié Field Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM) - Tonié Field & Dr. Donna Coleman Eastman School of Music - Nicholas Goluses & Paul O'Dette |
PC: The Cup of Sunshine
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