The 8 Cuerdas Duo is comprised of American soprano Sarah Cullins and Colombian guitarist Daniel Gaviria and is named for the eight “strings” that make up their two instruments and the artistic unity that this husband and wife team bring to their performances.
The Burlington, Vermont-based duo recently moved to the Green Mountains from the Andes Mountains of Bogota, Colombia, where both Sarah and Daniel had busy careers as soloists and chamber musicians as well as educators. As 8 Cuerdas, Sarah and Daniel combine their classical training and experience with their love of traditional Latin American and Spanish rhythms and folklore, exploring the multiple musical identities of Latin America and the origin of many of its influences, the Iberian Peninsula. Whether recreating a soulful Argentinian Milonga, bringing out the percussiveness of the Latin American Chacarera, or drawing on the intense passion of Flamenco, the duo leads much of their classical repertoire into the world music realm, creating a wide variety of sounds and atmospheres.
Already a favorite with Vermont audiences, 8 Cuerdas is now known for lively performances that juxtapose impossibly soft lullabies with high-powered vocal and guitar virtuosity. Their concerts combine such well-known favorites as Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras and Rodrigo’s Aranjuez, Ma Penseé with works by up-and-coming composers from Latin America and centuries-old melodies from Spain, all guided by short dynamic explanations of the repertoire to bring audiences even closer.
8 Cuerdas also frequently joins friends and colleagues Annemieke and Jeremiah McLane (piano and accordion) to form the popular Piazzolla Project in programs presenting the diverse sounds of the “King of New Tango,” Astor Piazzolla. 8 Cuerdas and/or the Piazzolla Project have been featured on concerts series such as: First Night Burlington, Stowe Performing Arts, Cathedral Arts at St. Paul, the Fisk Farm Pro Artist Series, the Salisbury Summer Concert Series, and at venues such as the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, the Middlebury Town Hall Theater, the Hardwick Town House, Brandon Music, ArtisTree, and the University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College Recital Halls. 8 Cuerdas is also available for private events and house concerts.