Duo Beija-Flor

With their unique brand of ethno-classical music, Duo Beija-Flor presents a varied repertoire of works inspired by traditional and folkloric music found around the world. Guitarist Charles Hobson and flutist Marie-Noëlle Choquette began to perform together while in the midst of their graduate studies at Concordia University in Montreal. In 2009 they officially formed the Duo Beija-Flor. Since then they have performed concerts throughout Canada, the United States, Argentina, and Costa Rica. Not to be confined to the concert stage, they have released two critically acclaimed albums: Muzica (2013) and Envol (2011). Their unique combination of world and contemporary classical music has led them to be invited on several TV and radio programs (Radio-Canada, CIBL, Global TV, TVCK, Cogeco TV, etc.).

Hailed by San Francisco's "The Flute View" magazine as “...an incredibly dynamic and creative team”, the duo has arranged several pieces so as to create a more personal style. To add to their arrangements of Fado music from Portugal and a gypsy version of Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances. To further the uniqueness of their programs, they commissioned Canadian composer Roddy Ellias to create a new work based on Cuban jazz which was premiered at Concordia University in October 2013. With the addition of their tireless research to find works from lesser-known composers that follow the duo's style, Duo Beija-Flor has created a classical flute and guitar duo that breaks the mold.