We – Ariel Horowitz, violin and Britton-René Collins, percussion – play classical music with a contemporary twist, and seek to contribute to the redefinition of classical music. We are passionate about experimenting with traditional conceptions of genre, blending seemingly opposite soundworlds such as electronic/acoustic, old/new, and Bach/Blues, prioritizing inclusion and representation from the composers we perform to the work we do in our communities, and innovative interpretations of our favorite classical standards alongside multidisciplinary elements of modern performance. We both also share a love of good food – especially dumplings!
Our vision began when we were selected as the two soloist winners of Concert Artists Guild’s inaugural Ambassador Prize, awarded to musicians actively demonstrating an exceptional level of virtuosity and humanity in their interests in community engagement and bringing the voices of new composers to the forefront. We became fast friends during the pandemic-era Zoom paradigm, each admiring the other’s musicianship, spirits, and commitment to the deconstruction of historically elitist structures both in and out of classical music.
In early 2021, our managers at Concert Artists Guild called us with an exciting request – a presenter was intrigued by the concept of violin and marimba together, and wondered whether we might join together for a shared recital. We immediately agreed, and Genrefication – our beloved inaugural program combining Bach, Blues, Tango, and more – was born. Since then, Vision Duo has attended the prestigious Avaloch Farm Music Institute as artists in residence, and performed for top presenters throughout North America, including the Phillips Collection, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and Dumbarton Concerts in Washington, D. C. Our 22-23 season includes debut concerts at the Krannert Center, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, and the Fairmont Chamber Music Society, featuring our program, Electrovision— a blending of acoustic, electronic, and multidisciplinary experiences for us and our audiences.
