Historic Venues
Meadow Brook Hall · The Henry Ford · Grosse Pointe War Memorial — venues that maintain their own vendor lists trust the duo with their event programming.
Six Detroit Music Awards · Since 1998
Where Serious Music
Where Serious Music
Meets
Serious Occasions
A six-time Detroit Music Award-winning voice, flute, and classical guitar ensemble — a singular sound in metro Detroit, trusted by foundations, galas, distinguished private clubs, and concert series.
Frida · Michigan Opera Theater Concierto de Aranjuez · Livonia Symphony Cheltenham International Music Festival Organization of American States · The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy
Six Detroit Music AwardsInternational diplomatic performancesPreferred vendor: Meadow Brook Hall · The Henry Ford · Grosse Pointe War Memorial
An ensemble for your most important event
Corporate Galas & Foundations
For evenings that have to be unforgettable.
Learn more →Country Clubs & Member Events
Recurring concert programs that members remember.
Learn more →Senior Living Concert Series
Live classical music your residents will look forward to.
Learn more →Healthcare
Music-in-medicine programming, in development.
Learn more →Iberian & South American Programs
Piazzolla, Rodrigo, DeFalla, Pujol — performed by a DMA-winning ensemble.
Learn more →Private Celebrations
Weddings, anniversaries, milestone occasions.
Learn more →Six Detroit Music Awards
A standard no other Michigan classical ensemble has matched.
2001
Outstanding Classical Vocalist
Abha Dearing
2002
Outstanding Classical Vocalist
Abha Dearing
(co-recipient with Dana Lentini)
2002
Outstanding Classical Small Ensemble
Dearing Concert Duo
2002
Outstanding Classical Recording
Snapshots of South America
2003
Outstanding Classical Small Ensemble
Dearing Concert Duo
2006
Outstanding Classical Vocalist
Abha Dearing
2002 wins independently verified via Metro Times.
2002 wins independently verified via Metro Times. Full ceremony cohorts on file.
Through their performance of beautiful music, the Dearing Concert Duo created the perfect mood at our event. The duo has the rare combination of musicianship and personality that engages an audience.The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., O.C., O.M. · Then-Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister · OAS event
A sound you cannot get from a string quartet
Soprano voice, classical flute, and classical guitar — a combination almost no other Michigan ensemble offers. Where a string quartet plays an evening of harmony, a Dearing program weaves song, melody, and counterpoint, with a soloist, an instrumental voice, and an accompanist all at once. It is intimate enough for a forty-person fundraiser and full enough to fill a concert hall.
Steven Dearing earned his Master of Music in Guitar Performance at Wayne State University and taught classical guitar at the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts for twenty-three years. Abha Dearing is a spinto soprano with master's-level training from Oakland University and twenty-five years directing music at Birmingham Unitarian Church.
Together they have recorded four albums, won six Detroit Music Awards, and performed for foundations, country clubs, university development dinners, and an Organization of American States event hosted by The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy.
Hear the duo
Allemande / Courante
Take One
Bachianas Brasileiras
Snapshots of South America
En Jerez de la Frontera
Snapshots of South America
Performance footage
Selected concert recordings — the duo's voice, flute, and classical guitar configuration in performance.
Independently verifiable
Six Detroit Music Awards across vocal, ensemble, and recording categories. Reviewed publicly on WeddingWire and The Knot. Critical press in Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, The Windsor Star, and WDET-FM.
Institutional context
Twenty-five years of recital, foundation, country club, university, ministry, and international engagements — documented and verifiable.
Symphony & Opera
Livonia Symphony Orchestra (Concierto de Aranjuez, May 2012) · Michigan Opera Theater (Frida, 2015, six sold-out performances).
Faculty & Choir
University of Windsor School of Creative Arts (Steven, faculty 1995–2018) · Birmingham Unitarian Church (Co-Directors of Music since 2001 / 2011) · Macomb Community College · The Roeper School.
Diplomatic & Festival
Cheltenham International Music Festival, 2002 (European debut) · Organization of American States event hosted by The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy · over 1,000 guests in attendance.
Four Albums
Take One (DMA nominee 2000) · Snapshots of South America (DMA winner 2002) · Romanza! (DMA winner 2003) · July Recital (Steven, solo, 2010).
Critical Reception
Mark Stryker — Detroit Free Press · George Bulanda — Hour Detroit · John Guinn — The Oakland Press · Ted Shaw — The Windsor Star · Ralph Valdez — WDET-FM via Woodward Magazine.
What critics have said
"…technically assured and rhythmically supple…steady rhythm lays the foundation for Abha's sing[ing]. The duet sparkles with sophisticated charm."
— Mark Stryker"Music sing is the Dearing's lovely tonal blend, secure technique, and steady rhythm…the world is elegantly painted."
— George Bulanda"Among the most accomplished classical ensembles in the region — programming consistently rewards repeat audiences."
— Ralph ValdezRecent dispatches
Performance announcements, press features, programming notes, and behind-the-scenes from a working classical duo.
Apr 24, 2026
Steven Dearing Featured in VoyageMichigan's Daily Inspiration Series
VoyageMichigan's Daily Inspiration series features Steven Dearing of the Dearing Concert Duo in a long-form interview covering his path from self-taught guitarist to internationally touring classical concert artist.
Read article → Apr 15, 2026Upcoming June 2026 Performances: Commerce Township Library & Kaleidoscope on Cloverly Road
$(cat
Read article → Jan 21, 2026Classical Guitar Education in Michigan: Your Complete Guide to Learning
"So, you play classical guitar? I do too! I know Stairway to Heaven." I've lost count of how many times I've heard this. And while I always smile…
Read article →Booking, briefly
Where in Michigan does the Dearing Concert Duo perform?
Throughout metro Detroit and across Michigan. Most engagements are in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties; the duo regularly travels to Lansing, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and other Michigan markets for foundation events and concert series. Out-of-state tour dates are scheduled by arrangement.
What does a Dearing program sound like?
Voice, flute, and classical guitar in concert configuration — Bach, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, Rodrigo, de Falla, Mompou, contemporary American composers, and traditional songs from across the Americas. Programs run from a forty-five-minute concert to a full evening, tailored to the event.
How are programs customized for an event?
After an introductory call, the duo proposes a program shaped to the event's tone (gala, fundraiser, concert series, residence concert), the room, the audience, and any honoree, theme, or anniversary the event is built around.
What credentials should an event committee know about?
Six Detroit Music Awards (2001–2006), four commercial recordings, Steven Dearing's Master of Music from Wayne State and twenty-three years on the faculty of the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts, Abha Dearing's Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Oakland University, twenty-five years co-directing music ministry at Birmingham Unitarian Church, the duo's European debut at the Cheltenham International Music Festival in 2002, and an Organization of American States event hosted by then-Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy.
Are recordings available for committees and program directors?
Yes. The duo's four albums — Take One, Snapshots of South America (DMA-winning), Romanza, and Steven Dearing's solo July Recital — are streamable on this site, and physical CDs can be sent on request for committee review.
How is a date held?
Use the Request Availability form. The duo replies within two business days with date confirmation, a draft program based on the brief, and a written quote.
Begin a conversation
A short call answers most questions. We will send a program suggestion and quote within two business days of speaking.