The award-winning ALMANOVA DUO is an innovative flute and guitar duo presenting an eclectic program of chamber music. Flutist Jessica Pierce and guitarist Almer Imamovic are both masters of their instruments, elevating the flute and guitar ensemble to the highest level of virtuosity and artistry. Their live performances are filled with energy and passion, creating a “…graceful, intuitively choreographed display of seamless connection.” (Fresno Beehive).

AlmaNova’s recordings have been described as “…pure musical pleasure” (Flute Focus Magazine) and have received much critical acclaim. In 2012, they released their first holiday album, “AlmaNova: The Christmas Album,” featuring original and inventive arrangements on beloved Christmas classics. Their first CD recording, “Debut,” features original works by Mr. Imamovic inspired by the sounds and folk melodies of his native Bosnia. It was honored by the largest worldwide independent music organization, Just Plain Folks, receiving Best Instrumental Album, 2009, as well as Best Instrumental Song, 2009 for “Sarajevo Nights.” Their second CD, “Classic Giuliani,” was awarded Critic’s Choice, 2008 by American Record Guide, whose reviewer called it “…some of the best [Giuliani] I’ve heard.” Their newest release, “After Hours,” explores the music of Macedonia through thoughtful arrangements and more original compositions by Mr. Imamovic and Dr. Pierce.

AlmaNova met in France while studying at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. They continued their graduate work at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and at the USC Thornton School of Music. Since then, they have had the privilege to perform extensively throughout the world, including recitals in Paris, London, Sarajevo, Stockholm, Tijuana, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Kansas City, and San Diego.

AlmaNova’s music has been featured in various film and TV projects, including Chuck, Human Target, and From Mexico with Love. Most recently, Mr. Imamovic’s song “Stani Draga” was featured in the film In the Land of Blood and Honey, written and directed by Angelina Jolie.

More info: http://www.almanovaduo.com

JESSICA PIERCE
Jessica Pierce has risen to become one of the finest flutists of her generation. Since her American Debut in 1998 with the Saratoga Symphony, she has performed all over the world, including Paris, London, Sarajevo, Stockholm, Tijuana, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Kansas City, and San Diego.

“American flutist, Jessica Pierce gave a ravishing performance at Nice’s historic Cloitre de Nice” (Nice Matin, Nice, France).

Dr. Pierce began her studies in Northern California with Isabelle Chapuis and Mimi Carlson, attending Santa Clara University where she received a Bachelors Degree in both music and French. During her time at SCU, she was accepted into the prestigious Academie Internationale d’Ete de Nice where she studied with Philippe Bernold, Christian Lardé and Claude Bolling, the Oxford Flute Summer School with Peter Lloyd and Domaine Forget with Alain Marion and Emmanuel Pahud. Upon completing her degree, she was awarded the Descalzi Prize for the outstanding graduate.

Her studies then brought her to Paris, to the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with Pierre-Yves Artaud, where she completed her Diplôme Superieur in Flute Performance and Chamber Music à l’unimitité.

In 2009, Dr. Pierce completed both her Masters degree and Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music under Jim Walker. While at USC, Dr. Pierce performed with Yo-Yo Ma, Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero, Itzhak Perlman, Eleonore Schoenfeld and Kevin Fitzgerald, and has performed under the baton of Carl St. Clair, Sergei Commissiona, Jorge Mester, John Barnett, Yehuda Gilad and Donald Crockett.

She is a founding member of the world-renowned flute and guitar duo, AlmaNova, with guitarist and composer Almer Imamovic. Since 2006, AlmaNova has premiered over 40 new works for flute and guitar duo, most of which have been composed by Mr. Imamovic and Dr. Pierce. Their innovative and inspiring works for guitar and flute have been performed on five continents.

As an Ambassador of the Arts for the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), Dr. Pierce is committed to helping young Bosnians succeed through scholarships and furthering education. In 2009, she was invited to Sarajevo by the American Embassy to perform a special televised concert featuring the Bosnian love songs, sevdalinke. She is the first flutist to have performed and recorded these musical treasures. In 2010 in Los Angeles, AlmaNova performed alongside actor and sevdah singer, Rade Serbedzija and actress Annette Bening for the Bosana Foundation’s annual televised event helping young Bosnian orphans.

As a dedicated teacher and educator, her students have gone on to win major competitions, study at prestigious music programs, and perform regularly throughout Southern California and beyond. She has been a master teacher/guest artist for the CSU Fresno Summer Arts Program, Santa Clara University, University of Texas, Carmel Music Society, and the San Diego Flute Guild.

Dr. Pierce plays Sankyo Flutes exclusively.

ALMER IMAMOVIC

In 2007, Mr. Imamovic made his American debut with a ravishing performance of the famed Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo with the Dayton Philharmonic: “Imamovic’s cadenzas were virtuosic masterpieces” (Oakwood Register, Dayton, Ohio).

Since then, he has risen in the ranks of classical guitarists to become one of the world’s finest players. “Imamovic wowed his listeners with an ageless virtuosity”(Glendale News Press, Glendale, California). “Excellent technique and virtuosity”(Oslobodjenje, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina). He has been privileged to perform extensively throughout the world, including recitals in Paris, London, Sarajevo, Stockholm, Tijuana, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Kansas City, and San Diego.

Mr. Imamovic is a highly sought-after composer, and his works have been featured in concerts on five continents. His compositions have been praised by such organizations as the American Composer’s Forum, Meet the Composer Series, NACUSA, and BMI.

He holds Masters degrees in Classical Guitar Performance from the Royal Welsh College and the University of Southern California, and a Diplôme Superieur from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (John Mills, Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero and Rafael Andia). He is a founding member of the world-renowned guitar and flute duo, AlmaNova, with flutist Jessica Pierce, for which he has composed more than thirty compositions. Through his innovative and inspiring works for guitar and flute, he has been a pioneer in expanding the depth, scope and range of chamber music.

As a versatile and innovative guitar player, Mr. Imamovic is a master of the electric guitar as well as Latin and Balkan stringed instruments, and can be heard on numerous major film and TV.

Mr. Imamovic is the current President of the Arts for the Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), an organization committed to helping young Bosnians succeed through scholarships and furthering education.

As a dedicated teacher and educator, his students have gone on to win major competitions, study at prestigious music programs, and perform regularly throughout Southern California and beyond. He was recently featured in Guitar Teacher magazine as one of the finest teachers in the USA. He has been a master teacher/guest artist for many university guitar programs including USC, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fresno, Santa Clara University, and University of Texas. Currently, Mr. Imamovic is Advanced Classical Guitar Instrutor at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Mr. Imamovic is a master artist for the Kenny Hill Guitar Company.