Hats + Heels
Chamber Music Duo
ABOUT
Founded in 2019 in Rochester, NY, Hats + Heels Duo (H+H) is a quirky ensemble of bassoon (Blaire Koerner) and harp (Rosanna Moore) 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. Their performances have been featured at the Eastman School of Music, University of Oregon, Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, and TU Dublin Conservatoire.
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.
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Strong National Museum of Play - 2024
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 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 and collaboration phase and concluding with stage presence and presentation skills. Some spaces they have presented at include Eastman Community Music School, Strong Museum of Play, Oregon University Community Music School, Florida State University, and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. ​
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Hoping to expand the musical repertoire, H+H has commissioned over 15 new works, encouraging a diverse group of composers to incorporate elements beyond the musical realm. These commissioned works require H+H to parrot poetry, acquire artwork, highlight history, train in theatrics and venture in vogue. Their 2022 album “Women Are… A Reflection and Celebration of Women’s Challenges, Persistence and Growth” consisted of all new bassoon & harp pieces incorporating women-related figures, characters, topics, and ideology. The International Double Reed Society declared the resulting album as "highly intriguing, and the combination of these thoughtful compositions and the duo's expressive playing creates a program that entertains and lingers."
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.
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Mission
Engage and inspire audiences through the universal intrigue of a story, utilizing interdisciplinary musical performances and impactful educational initiatives.
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Off The Docks 2025
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.
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