Steph Davis, marimba 

Maria Finkelmeier, marimba 

Vessel of Voice 

With Angela Shankar, clarinet 

Through solos and duos, Steph Davis and Maria Finkelmeier with Angela Shankar explore the resonance and timbral spectrum of the marimba with clarinet. From moving spirituals to contemporary classical explorations, the artists share the ways in which the instruments can embody and express many voices and histories. 

For the first time, two marimbists share a Celebrity Series stage! Steph Davis makes their Celebrity Series debut in the first of two collaborative performances this season, demonstrating their versatility, imagination, and drive to push the boundaries of genre. Steph’s work encompasses African American spirituals, the Black classical tradition, and Ghanaian gyil music (a marimbaphone instrument with a unique sound, a huge range, and a deep connection to funerals and other ceremonies).

Maria Finkelmeier, another performer who delights in challenging expectations and forging new creative partnerships, returns to Celebrity Series after her 2022/23 duo music and spoken word performances with saxophonist Tim Hall. Founder of MF Dynamics, she creates site-specific interactive experiences combining music, movement, light, multimedia, and more that activate public spaces and concert venues like Boston’s Hatch Shell, Goethe-Institut, and Cyclorama (Project Daydream, supported by Celebrity Series). She represents one half of Clone Duo alongside New York-based clarinetist Angela Shankar.  

New York-based clarinetist Angela Shankar brings her instrument’s texture and color to the percussion dialogue. Angela Shankar enjoys a busy career on Broadway and is a regular member of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Inspired by her experience filming on location for an episode of Mozart in the Jungle, Angela has since helped establish a chamber music program for people incarcerated in Rikers Island. 

Catch Steph Davis’ work again when they collaborate with choreographer and dancer Jenny Oliver for Gray Space/Blue Skies on February 22!

This project is supported in part by the