Lauded by Chamber Music America as the “little viola duo that could,” Tallā Rouge boldly reimagines the landscape of classical music, fearlessly embracing a fusion of genres that live at the palpable crossroads of Jazz, Folk, Pop, Middle-Eastern, and Western Classical influences. The name Tallā Rouge, meaning 'the Red-Gold' in both Farsi and French, pays homage to the rich Persian and Cajun heritages of American violists Aria Cheregosha and Lauren Spaulding. Cultivated under the mentorship of Roger Tapping at The Juilliard School, this groundbreaking duo holds the prestigious distinction of being the inaugural ensemble in residence at the esteemed Dumbarton Oaks, a renowned research institute affiliated with Harvard University —following in the wake of inspirational artists such as Igor Stravinsky, Jessie Montgomery, and Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw.

”YOUR INSTINCT IS SO STRONG AND ALSO RIGHT.”
Nobuko Imai

Aria and Lauren’s intrinsic need to capture the spirit of music is fueled by a mutual love for outreach, accessibility, and authenticity, values that set the tone for the duo’s refreshingly intimate stage presence. Sharing the belief that “good music is good music”, Tallā Rouge presents the works of living composers alongside the reimagined classical favorites of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart, inviting an open dialogue through their unbound programming that encourages a redefinition of classical music in our evolving and interconnected world.

Plus Tallā Rouge is a sucker for cute cats & coffee 🐱 ☕️

AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Recognized internationally for their emotional performances, Tallā Rouge received first-prize at the Frances Walton Competition, was awarded as a top-prize winner for the International Anton Rubinstein Chamber Music Competition, was invited to showcase in the 2023 Chamber Music America Conference, and was awarded NOLA ChamberFest’s “Emerging Ensemble” of the year for the 2022—2023 season. As avid supporters of their viola community, Tallā Rouge was invited to join the American Viola Society as Artist-in-Residence in 2023, and will be a featured ensemble on the 2024 inaugural American Viola Society album. Tallā Rouge made their Carnegie Hall debut with Tigran Mansurian’s powerful Lachrymae in June of 2023, and is currently the Artist in Residence at Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard research institution.

You can catch Tallā Rouge on NPR Live Sessions by
Clicking Here!

COMMISSIONING & CREATIVITY
Drawn to folk, West-Asian, and LGBTQ+ influenced composers, Tallā Rouge has worked with Sahba Aminikia, an Iranian-American composer who gained his acclaim by working with the Kronos Quartet; David Rimelis, traditional fiddler, folklorist, and composer; Sami Seif, Lebanese composer inspired by the poetry of the Middle East; Karl Mitze, Violist of Invoke Sound, Kebra-Seyoun Charles, gifted bassist and composer; Luca Sutto, Italian composer; Wajdi Abou Diab, Lebanese-Arabic composer drawing inspiration from his cultural background, and Meredith Monk, a LGBTQ+ avant-garde artist who has generously arranged her piece “Hocket” for Tallā Rouge.

As a champion of new compositions, Tallā Rouge runs an international viola duo composition competition, aiming to lead a renaissance in viola duo composition, and hosts a Young Artist Workshop, inspiring exceptional pre-professional violists to explore arranging and commissioning while supporting engaging performances of new works!