Trío Líneas

When it comes to accessibility, the ensemble wants to open doors for performances in third places, where a relaxed environment, safe surroundings, and interactions during the pieces are encouraged. They want their listeners to come as they are and exist freely during their shows, combating the expectation of being a passive audience member. Regarding community collaboration, Líneas enjoys collaborating and exchanging ideas with their communities, especially with composers who help expand the canon of music for less common chamber music groups like theirs. Trío Líneas’ goal is to be a channel through which art, experiences, and creativity can be exchanged (preparing and premiering new works and encouraging audiences to participate in the performances). Lastly, while they recognize the importance of knowing the history of the music that came before them, they strive to be a part of a newer era of classical music, which includes and expands from techniques like singing into their instruments, to clapping and stomping in the pieces written for them.

Comprised of Alexis Eubanks, flute, Adalus Low-Manzini, cello, and John Solari, piano, the trio has engaged in coachings from violinist Matt Albert (founder and former member of Eighth Blackbird), violinist Annie Fullard (member of the Cavani Quartet), Jayce Ogren (conductor at the University of Michigan), Chen Yi (composer and composition professor at the University of Missouri–Kansas City), and Steve Beck (Pianist of the Da Capo Chamber Players). Trío Líneas’ debut performance was George Crumb’s Vox Balaenae at the University of Michigan’s historic Hill Auditorium as part of the Contemporary Direction Ensemble’s “The Legacy of George Crumb: Voices and Echoes” Concert Series. In 2024, they were featured in the University of Michigan’s annual Collage Concert, performing Gabriela Ortiz’s Tepito.

As they advance in their artistic endeavors, Trío Líneas enjoys working with living composers and participating in the creative and collaborative aspects of commissioning. Recent projects include a collaboration with Mikeila McQueston, a University of Michigan DMA composition student, premiering her new work, Little Things, in November 2023. In addition, they collaborated with Colombian composer Paola Márquez on creating a new version of her piano trio, Monarch, which the composer arranged for Flute, Cello, and Piano. In April of 2024, they premiered commissions by Jelani Surpris and Grace O’Duffy.