About Duo 彩 AYA
Duo 彩 AYA is a flute and marimba ensemble comprising of flutist Rachel Woolf and marimbist Makana Jimbu. Together they are redefining the boundaries of chamber music through commissioning new works for the genre. For their inaugural Cycles tour in 2023, they commissioned four new works by Evan Williams, Miriama Young, Paul Millette, and Fumihiro Ono. Their program explores how the flute and marimba interact with global musical styles of Africa, Japan, Indonesia, India, and Brazil.
Duo 彩 AYA has performed across the United States at The University of Texas San Antonio, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and University of North Carolina Pembroke. They have also been part of three chamber music series concerts throughout San Diego, California. With Rachel based in San Antonio, Texas and Makana in Tokyo, Japan, their collaboration creates an electrifying musical partnership that resonates across cultures and continents.
Rachel Woolf stands as a multifaceted musician whose artist journey has traversed classical, contemporary, and experimental realms. Serving as Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Texas at San Antonio School of Music, Rachel’s influence extends far beyond academia. She holds roles as Principal Flute with the Victoria Bach Festival, contributing flutist to the innovative symphonic pop rock ensemble The Polyphonic Spree, and performs regularly with the San Antonio Philharmonic and United States Air Force Band of the West.
Rachel’s presence on the stage of prestigious events such as the National Flute Association Convention (NFA), North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) and International Clarinet Association (ClarinetFest), has solidified her reputation as an exceptional performer.
Beyond traditional genres, Rachel’s collaborations have spanned a diverse spectrum, including performances with Swedish-Argentinian indie folk singer Jośe González, multi-platinum operatic pop sensation Il Divo, and Emmy-winning artist Darren Criss. She can be heard on experimental rock band Swans album, “The Glowing Man."
Rachel received her Bachelor of Music at the University of Michigan, Master in Music at Bowling Green State University, and Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of North Texas. Her primary teachers include Amy Porter, Conor Nelson, Terri Sundberg, James Scott, and Karen Reynolds.
Makana Jimbu’s musical journey commenced at a young age in Japan where her passion for piano and electronic organ flourished under the guidance of Yamaha Music School. Her talents expanded to composition, setting the stage for a lifelong dedication to music. The world of percussion beckoned her, and she answered the call with remarkable success.
Makana’s pursuit of musical excellence led her to the United States, where she pursued study at the University of North Texas. Makana’s journey expanded to embrace the world stage. Her achievements spanned international competitions with notable accomplishments in Poland, Taiwan, and Italy, demonstrating her prowess and versatility.
Endorsed by Innovative Percussion, Makana’s commitment to music extends to her role as an educator, imparting her knowledge to students of all ages. Her dedication to both performance and education is exemplified through her inspiring presence in the Tokyo music scene.
Makana received her Bachelor of Music from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, and her Artist Certificate and Master of Music at University of North Texas. Her primary teachers include Momoko Kamiya, Kikuiko Ishi, Christopher Deane, and Mark Ford.