
Hats + Heels
Chamber Music Duo

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
-
Performing and presenting at the highest artistic level by paying attention to all details that impact our productions.
-
Collaborate with creatives from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and influences.
-
Provide educational opportunities to learners of all ages that emphasizing pairing musical knowledge with life and career skills.
-
Research and educate ourselves to continue growing our own knowledge and understanding of relevant topics, themes, figures and art-forms.
-
Be active supporters and allies for diverse representation and inclusion in the arts.

Photos by Anna Maxwell NSP Studios
Diversity Commitment
Between COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and the recent governmental disruption, 2020 finally unveiled the cumulative systemic, social, and political inequalities that exist in the United States. Further, in light of the Daniel Prude murder in Rochester, NY - the city where we were founded - we acknowledge that as white, cis-gender, women who have studied Western European Classical music, we come to the table with a particular perspective and lot of privilege.
Knowing and acknowledging this, we remain committed to becoming stronger ally’s for others, no matter their race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical abilities/qualities, religious beliefs, or national origin. To accomplish this, we promise to:
Educate:
Listen and learn from diverse artists and non-artists to improve our own knowledge, recognize and understand systemic issues and be ever-mindful of others. To do so, we are actively pursuing monthly growth opportunities including:
-
Attend panels, workshops, and presentations that are hosted on a local and national level
-
Read and listen to recommended resources including books, articles, and podcasts
-
Reflect upon and discuss what we have learned with our audiences, in person, via social media and in newsletters
Collaborate:
Build inclusive and accessible educational and performance initiatives by collaborating alongside organizations and individuals that support underserved populations.
Advocate:
Develop meaningful connections to, and support, composers, artists, dancers, storytellers, and other creatives of diverse backgrounds and identities through paid commissioning projects.
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.