Family Music: Duo Elena, harpist and flutist

November's free family music program is sponsored by the Friends of the Carmel Valley Library. Duo Elena, harpist Elena Mashkovtseva and flutist Elena Yarritu, will present an eclectic program of works by Mozart, Sierra, Paganini, and Piazzolla. They share the same name and a passion for teaching. Their pupils are among the most talented, young musicians in San Diego having won numerous awards locally and nationally. Mashkovtseva has enchanted audiences throughout the world with her virtuosity, grace and elegance. She is a graduate of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she studied with the celebrated harpist Vera Dulova. She performs as acting principal harp of the San Diego Symphony and teaches at San Diego State University. Yarritu, a California native, studied with French flutist Isabelle Chapuis and went on to work with some of the best flutists in the US and abroad in Europe. She performs principal flute with the La Jolla Symphony. Her playing has been described as “fearsome and adventurous” by Fanfare Magazine while being “wholesome and jubilantly virtuosic” (American Record Guide).