About us
Duo Vampa is a premier flute and percussion collaboration comprised of faculty artists Dr. Sarah Jane Young & Dr. Ryan M. Smith at Valdosta State University. Derived from the Italian term for a sudden blaze or flare, the duo’s identity is rooted in the “Blazer” spirit of their home institution and the transorfmative power of a single musical spark.
Our mission is to explore the “kinetic architecture” of sound, where the fluid, ethereal breath of the flute meets the visceral, rhythmic strike of percussion. With a dedicated focus on expanding the repertoire, Duo Vampa seeks to bring to life music from the voices of today.
Inspired by the themes of endurance and the “flicker” of beauty found in Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch, we curate programs that challenge the boundaries of the chamber medium. From the propulsive “rock” energy of Zack Browning to the intricate botanical structures of Harvey Sollberger, Duo Vampa is committed to high-level pedagogy, commissioning new works, and delivering performances that resonate with the intensity of a flare in the night.
