The Meraki Duo (ANDOVER CONCERT SERIES)

PART OF THE ANDOVER CONCERT SERIES

Formed in 2013, the Meraki Duo enjoy exploring the diversity of repertoire available to the flute-guitar pairing while contributing arrangements of their own. Both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, sharing a passion for chamber music that extends to jazz, Latin American and European folk and works by contemporary composers. They love performing in a wide variety of venues, including St James’ Piccadilly, Wigmore Hall, the Swaledale Festival, and Bridgewater Hall for Craig Ogden’s Guitar Weekend. In 2019 they were finalists in the Royal Overseas League competition as well as International Guitar Foundation Young Artists

Meera Maharaj (flute) is currently a Tunnell Trust, Park Lane Group and Countess of Munster Recital Scheme artist, alongside pianist Dominic Degavino. She graduated with Distinction in her Masters, studying with Michael Cox at the Royal Academy of Music, receiving generous scholarships supported by Sir Elton John, Countess of Munster Musical Trust and Help Musicians. In 2017 she graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with first class honours, having studied with Wissam Boustany and Laura Jellicoe. Previously, she spent six years at the Junior RNCM.

Meera enjoys a diverse performing career and has played at the Concertgebouw, Bridgewater Hall, Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall where she recently played principal flute with Chineke! Orchestra at the BBC Proms.

James Girling (guitar) graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music with Master’s (Distinction) and Bachelor’s (first-class honours) degrees. He was tutored by Craig Ogden, and concurrently studied jazz with pianist Dan Whieldon. In 2016, he won the RNCM Gold Medal, and made his Wigmore Hall and professional concerto debuts in 2017. James was awarded the Biddy Baxter & John Hosier Music Trust’s Special Award, Principal’s Prize for Jazz Improvisation and Help Musicians UK Postgraduate Awards. Alongside his busy classical recital career, James also performs in a range of ensembles, including Afrobeat/Ethiojazz 11-piece Agbeko, swing-era septet Dani Sicari & The Easy Rollers, the RNCM Big Band and the jazz quintet Artephis.