DONNA LIVELY CLARK, VIOLA
ESPEN JENSEN, GUITAR

With ten strings to play, Norwegian guitarist Espen Jensen and violist Donna Lively Clark offer a rich and varied repertoire they have developed for this delightful combination. Given two instruments with a similar tonal range, the base and lead lines can be exchanged, leading to arrangements that offer intricate interplay and uncommon tonal beauty. Both musicians are known for their interpretation of twentieth century music and their compelling performances of Latin American music. Fans of this duo find the enthusiasm and expertise of the artists to be what turns a great repertoire into a memorable listening experience.

Donna Lively Clark earned a full scholarship to study with the renowned William Primrose at Indiana University School of Music and has also studied with William Lincer, Georges Janzer, and Alan de Veritch. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University and a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Butler University. An active and well-known teacher and clinician, she has served on the faculties of Indiana University, Ball State University, and Butler University as well as being the artist violin/viola teacher for the Performing Arts Magnet at Broad Ripple High School, The Viola School, and the Carmel Conservatory of Music. Other significant teaching engagements include the Viola Camp at Pepperdine University; the National String Workshop at University of Wisconsin, Madison; Ecole Saint Trinité in Port au Prince, Haiti; and the Bicentennial Youth Orchestra of Argentina. Ms. Clark makes her home in Indianapolis and performs in the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Duo Diez, the Lockerbie String Quartet and as a soloist. She is a recent recipient of a "Creative Renewal Fellowship" which enabled her to live, study, perform and record in Argentina. This work culminated in the creation of a CD called "Una Viola Porteña, A Tribute to the Heart and Soul of Argentina". She is also featured on a romantic classical/jazz fusion CD entitled "Erosonata".

A native of Norway, guitarist Espen Jensen is a recording artist currently living in the United States. He is the winner of several awards, among them First Prize in the 2001 Competition in Performance of Music of Latin America and Spain as well as First Prize in Indianapolis Matinee Musicale. In 2002, Mr. Jensen released his début solo CD, the much-acclaimed Nocturnal Variations. He soon releases his second album, Elogio de la Danza y la Canción, featuring music of the Caribbean, of Latin American and of Spain. In 2006, he is scheduled to complete yet another album, this one featuring premiere recordings of contemporary Norwegian music of the guitar. Mr. Jensen holds the degree of Candidatus Magisterii (cum laude) from Agder College-Conservatory in Norway (1998). From Indiana University's prestigious School of Music, he has earned a Master of Music (2000) as well as a Performer Diploma (2003). His guitar instructors include Ernesto Bitetti, Luis Zea, Jan Erik Pettersen, and Bengt Martinussen. Mr. Jensen currently teaches classical guitar at Indiana University where he also serves as the assistant director of the esteemed Latin American Popular Music Ensemble and Assistant Director of Admissions for Jacobs School of Music. He is expected to earn the Doctor of Music in Guitar Performance and Literature in 2012.

DUO DIEZ is available for concerts and receptions year round. During the holiday season, a special program featuring a newly commissioned piece entitled Nine Noëls by John Darnall along with English carols and holiday songs from Norway and Latin America.

TO SAMPLE DEMO CD GO TO THIS WEBSITE'S CD PAGE.

Nine Noels by John Darnall

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