Hats + Heels
Chamber Music Duo
ABOUT
Hats + Heels is a quirky duo of bassoon and harp that focuses on storytelling. Their innovative performances are infused with a variety of art forms and technology that help weave colorful tales ranging from comedic to heart-wrenching, educational to ludicrous, and exploratory to enlightening. Some pieces are original works for bassoon, harp, narration and theatrics, while others have been arranged and thoughtfully paired with words, images, fashion, or movements. These pieces aim to engage audiences through the universal intrigue of an entertaining story, while allowing for individual interpretation and emotional expression.
Photo by Noel Sylvester Photography
Creative Fire of Art, 2024
Mystique 2024
As teaching artists, H+H present hands-on workshops to students of all ages, diversity and arts backgrounds, by designing interdisciplinary and engaging performances. With the mindset that performances tell a story, they coach students through the process of designing a concert, starting at the brainstorming phase and concluding with stage presence and presentation skills.
Hoping to expand their musical repertoire, H+H commission new works, encouraging a diverse group of composers to incorporate elements beyond the musical realm. In addition, the duo love to collaborate with other artists and work to think outside the box when parroting poetry, acquiring artwork, highlighting history, teaching theatrics and venturing in vogue.
Vision
We strive to increase access to and remove barriers from music and art-forms for members of our community, working to ensure the continuing relevance of art and music in an ever-changing world.
Mission
Engage and inspire audiences through the universal intrigue of a story, utilizing interdisciplinary musical performances and impactful educational initiatives.
Core Values
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Performing and presenting at the highest artistic level by paying attention to all details that impact our productions.
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Collaborate with creatives from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and influences.
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Provide educational opportunities to learners of all ages that emphasizing pairing musical knowledge with life and career skills.
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Research and educate ourselves to continue growing our own knowledge and understanding of relevant topics, themes, figures and art-forms.
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Be active supporters and allies for diverse representation and inclusion in the arts.
Strong National Museum of Play - 2024
Mystique 2024
We acknowledge that the Eastman School of Music--University of Rochester (the home base of our ensemble) is located on the indigenous lands of the Onöndowa'ga:' people (known in English as the Seneca), the Keepers of the Western Door of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We recognize the Indigenous peoples who have lived and continue to live here. In doing so, we acknowledge Onöndowa'ga:' sovereignty and their longstanding presence on this land, which predates the establishment of the Eastman School of Music -University of Rochester, New York State, and the United States of America.