Impasto Duo was formed in 2015 by two similar souls who are passionate about music and performing.

Comprised of flutist Jiajia Li and pianist Elisabeth Desruisseaux, Impasto Duo has spent their first season playing across southern Alberta, impressing audiences with their technically demanding and expressive performances. In a chamber music setting, the duo curates innovative concerts, programmes unique pieces, and creates their own arrangements. With an emphasis on education, Impasto Duo brings high quality musical experience to the audience.

Prize winner of the “Prinzessin Margaret von Hessen” competition (Germany), flutist Jiajia Li is a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, and educator. She is a 3-time scholarship recipient from Banff Centre, and recipient of Canada’s “Juno” music award microgrant. Now living in Calgary, Jiajia teaches at Mount Royal University Conservatory, and plays with Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Timepoint Ensemble and Impasto Duo. Born and raised in Beijing, China, Jiajia first studied flute at the Central Conservatory of music, then at University of Toronto (Canada) and Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt (Germany), where she completed her respective bachelor and a master’s degrees.

Elisabeth Desruisseaux is a pianist and teacher residing in Calgary. She recently completed her postgraduate studies at Royal Holloway, University of London and previously studied at the University of Calgary with Marilyn Engle. Elisabeth is a past scholarship recipient of the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts and a participant of the Académie Musicale Internationale Barbara Krakauer’ program for chamber music in France. Elisabeth is the director of the piano program at a music school in Calgary and is an active performer with her duo, Impasto Duo.

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During typical classical performances, audiences may find their attention wandering due to the long lengths of the works. What if each piece were shorter than 5 minutes? In the romantic month of February, Impasto Duo will be presenting a program of short selections of music spanning 4 centuries. Love is the theme, so you’ll hear music from two composition giants of the Romantic Era: Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann; a duo by Canadian composer Claude Vivier (who died at age 34 in a shocking love murder!); a cello suite by the single woman Nadia Boulanger who was married to her music career; and tunes from the father and son Bach who devoted themselves to the love of God. “Short and Sweet” is a unique experience of under-played classics that we guarantee will keep your interest — for the whole concert! – IMPASTO DUO