Clara Rose & Raphaella Hero
stating our purpose.
above all, our music represents a way of being together; patient, present, compassionate, embodied, playful, Kind, and curious. This is the spirit of improvisation. We aim to make every performance an invitation to simply be – to put down what you carry, and enter the present moment in the safe embrace of acoustic sound, creative mastery, and grace.
“It’s everything you’re looking for in music.”
— Kenny Werner
clip: The Joy of it
Catroina MacDonald
Clip: Bridal March
Traditional
clip: the Prayerful Hymn
Oliver Schroer
Artist Statement
A couple of years ago we met in Boston, Mass., both studying at Berklee College of Music. Initially (in all honesty) somewhat intimidated by each other, we in time formed a deep bond, connecting profoundly during a trip to Sweden in 2023. Hosted by dear friends and wonderful musicians Lotta Andersson and Adam Johansson, we made our pilgrimage to the traditional Spelmansstämma folk festivals for the first time and learned for ourselves the power of the traditional duo-fiddle instrumentation and arrangements of Swedish traditional music. Wonder at this musical tradition, its improvised harmony, and the cultural depth in which it is held and preserved having taken root in our hearts, we headed back to the States joined at the musical hip.
We now feel that our work as a duo is best described as folk-inspired improvisational music for meditation and connection. Informed by our journey together and our respective training in both formal and free improvisation, and in the traditional forms of many places, we put into practice the skills and sensibilities that those traditions have taught us. At our concerts we work together to cultivate a field of ease, attention, and careful observation, in other words offering a place to be comfortable, in addition to an engaging and transporting listening experience.
In the slow approach to mastery of this art form, we measure our success by how in tune we can be with each other and our surroundings, the ultimate intention being soothing and healing. Utilizing storytelling and inviting our audiences to participate in our performance practice, perhaps our greatest goal of all is to make our audience understand just how much we love what we do.
Above all, our music represents a way of being together. Patience, presence, compassion, embodiment, playfulness, kindness, and curiosity are central to the spirit of improvisation. We aim to make every performance an invitation to simply be – to put down what you carry, and enter the present moment in the safe embrace of acoustic sound, creative mastery, and grace.