Album Notes

Residents of metro Detroit, Michigan Steven and Abha formed the Dearing Concert Duo, a music duo for classical guitar and voice/flute in 1998 after becoming partners in marriage. In the short time since the duo has performed in venues across the US, Canada, England, and Scotland. They have produced three critically acclaimed CD's that are heard on radio stations internationally, and they have performed on both American public television and CBC television. They are the recipients of six music awards.

Vocalist Abha Dearing grew up in Michigan where she began performing at the age of five with her father. She earned a Bachelors degree at Wayne State University and her Masters degree studying voice with Janice Albright at Oakland University. She has trained under Laxmi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan while pursuing studies of Indian Classical music. Abha has won a number of awards including "Outstanding Classical Vocalist" given twice by the Motor City Music Foundation. She has performed in many countries around the world in both Western and East Indian styles of music. Abha is the music instructor at Mercy High School and choir director at Birmingham Unitarian Church.

Guitarist Steven Dearing grew up in Ontario and received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Windsor and his Master's from Wayne State University. He studied with Jeffrey McFadden (U. of Toronto), William Beauvais (Royal Conservatory of Music), Dominic Bertucci (U. of Windsor), Michael Stockdale (Center for Creative Studies) and John Holmquist (Cleveland Institute of Music). In master classes he performed for David Russel, Manuel Barreuco, Jason Vieaux, and Fabio Zanon. He has been nominated "Outstanding Classical Instrumentalist" by the Motor City Music Foundation, performed with orchestra, won a number of competitions and scholarships, and was featured on both CBC radio and television and American public radio and television. He is currently the Guitar Instructor at the University of Windsor.

In the words of music critics:

...you will come away very impressed by the Duo's abilities.
John Guinn, Oakland Press, June 2003

What makes the music sing is the Dearing's lovely tonal blend, secure phrasing and the way Steven's clean articulation and steady rhythm lays the foundation for Abha's warm approach to melody.
Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press, January 2002

Steven's vigorous readings of pieces by the Brazilian composer Jorge Morel are among the album's instrumental delights. Abha...sings in a beautiful soprano... richly textured miniatures sung as passionate art songs...
Ted Shaw, Windsor Star, June 2003

The DCD transports listeners to a different time and space... and transform the very air around them with a gentle magic that allows the music to come alive. The beautiful textures and tones convince the listener that there's much more going on than one guitar and one flute. The sounds and colors fill the spaces, pulling the listener into a peaceful daydream.
Ralph Valdez, WDET FM, October 1999

The Dearings create rapturous, dreamy effects in each of these beautiful melodies. You can feel the warmth of the tropics emanating from the stereo speakers.
Ted Shaw, Windsor Star, September 2001

...Technically assured and rhythmically sprightly without subjugating their musical identities. Polished...dynamic performances.
George Bulanda, Hour Magazine, November 2001

...The sound world is elegantly formal...while the duet sports a seductively intimate blend of voice and guitar.
Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press, July 2003

Marvelous program of duets...there is a definite artistic dialogue going on here ...boasts precision and attention to detail. It is quite simply one of the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard.
Ted Shaw, Windsor Star, December 1999