Duo Almira
ensemble
Isabel González and Paula Jimenéz are two young musicians who, pursuing their love for chamber music, decided to create the Duo Almira with the aim of bringing classical music to all audiences, to move and motivate the listeners to enjoy listening to a variety of good quality music, and even to invite them to dance and sing along to their music. This group has its roots at the Musikene Higher School of Music of the Basque Country, where both performers studied.
Under the guidance of pianist and composer Prof. Gabriel Loidi, the world of chamber music, with all its possibilities, started being unveiled during that period to them. The young students then decided to continue their academic formation at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik and Performing Arts in Mannheim, and received their Masters degrees in interpretation, in flute, and respectively in bassoon.
Duo Almira’s repertoire is varied, starting with the greatest hits of the classical genre, through to repertoire specially written for this ensemble, also including tangos and arrangements of popular contemporary music. Their performances reach all kinds of people, and their events range from classical music concerts, to events in nursing homes, hospitals, nurseries and schools, as well as private and corporate concerts in various settings.
Isabel has a special talent for teaching, she graduated in Music Education at the UPNA, University of Navarra. She teaches flute at the Pfaltz Music School, Mannheim. She regularly works in chamber music ensembles with the Trio Sanssoucie and the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester. She has obtained a scholarship from the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Foundation.
Paula has collaborated with the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra, under temporary contracts, and as guest artist.
She also collaborates with orchestras in Spain, such as the Santa Cecilia Classical Orchestra, the Barbieri Symphony Orchestra, Excelentia Fundation, etc. She received a scholarship from Villa Musica Rheinland Pfalz, and from Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now.
