The exciting Miho and Diego Duo is coming to the San Juan Islands March 28 through April 1s, as part of Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s musicians-in-residence program. In addition to their work in the schools on Orcas, Shaw and Lopez, Miho and Diego will bring free family concerts to all three islands and free World Rhythm Workshops to the Orcas and Lopez communities, thanks in part to a generous grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Miho and Diego Duo has been boldly blending Latin and Japanese musical traditions since 2006, encouraging cultural understanding through music.

Miho Takekawa and Diego Coy formed their duo after years of admiring each other’s work and discovering that their sounds could be combined to make something genuinely new and unique.

Miho graduated from Kunitachi School of Music in her native Japan before earning her master’s and doctorate in percussion performance from the University of Washington School of Music. She now teaches at Pacific Lutheran University, where she heads the percussion studio and directs the school’s percussion and steel pan ensembles.

Diego was born in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, and is former musical director of “Fundacion Viva La Musica” and “Fundacion Funmusica.” He is a master of exploring the musical traditions of his own native culture, playing Andean flute, panpipes, and many other traditional instruments.

Together, this talented duo introduces their distinctive music and encourages the audience to join in the fun. Miho and Diego understand the importance of cultural awareness and believe music is a key component.

Miho and Diego begin their residency on Orcas Island Tuesday, March 28. They will work with Orcas Island High School and middle school bands and at Salmonberry, Montessori, Kaleidoscope and Children’s House preschools.

Tuesday evening, all who have an interest in percussion are invited to a free World Rhythm Workshop at the Orcas Island Odd Fellows Hall from 6-7 p.m. All skill levels are welcome at this workshop.

After spending time with students and presenting a percussion workshop and concert on Lopez Island on March 29t and 30th, Miho and Diego make a stop on Shaw Island on Friday, March 31, to work with the Shaw School students during the day, and then present their “Musical Trip Around the World” concert to Shaw Islanders young and young at heart. Enjoy this free family concert at the Shaw Island Community Building at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m., Orcas Islanders will be treated to the Miho and Diego Duo’s “Musical Trip Around the World” at the Odd Fellows Hall. This free concert will be fun for all.

Don’t miss these educational and entertaining workshops and concerts! For more information, contact Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival at 360-376-6636 or email info@oicmf.org.