DCD BIOGRAPHIES:

Steven and Abha formed the Dearing Concert Duo in 1998 after becoming partners in marriage. Since then they have recorded three CD's, all receiving critical attention. They made their European debut in 2002 with eight concerts in a 2 1/2 week span, highlighted by an appearance at the Cheltenham International Music Festival. The duo is the recepient of six music awards, and made television appearances on both PBS (US) and the CBC (Canadian national television).

Vocalist and flautist Abha Dearing grew up in Michigan where she began performing at the age of five. She earned a Bachelors degree at Wayne State University and received a Masters degree in Vocal Performance at Oakland University. She also trained under gurus Laxmi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan while pursuing studies of Indian classical music. Abha has won a number of awards including "Outstanding Classical Vocalist" acknowledged by peers for the Detroit Music Awards. She has performed throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia in both Western and Eastern music disciplines.

Guitarist Steven Dearing grew up in Ontario, Canada and received his Bachelors degree from the University of Windsor and his Masters from Wayne State University in Detroit. He studied under international artists such as Jefferey McFadden (U. of Toronto) and John Holmquist (Cleveland Institute) and performed for David Russel and Manuel Barreuco in master classes. Recent concerts include a guest soloist appearance playing two concerti with the Windsor Symphony, as chamber musician at the Canadian Music Festival, and continuous concerts with the DCD.

Some of the Duo's highlights include sold out performances at the Detroit Institiute of Arts and the Cranbrook Institute, and a performance for former Canadain Prime Minister Jean Chretien. They are current members of the Michigan Humanities Touring Council Program http://www.michiganhumanities.org/touring/2006_2009/music/chamber/dearingconcertduo.htm . They are parents to son Rahkesh (aka Rocky) and daughter Raina. (back)