Since 2011 Duo Pleiades has played over 500 concerts at retirement residences, churches, chamber music series, galleries, private homes, parties and special venues. The different personalities and skill sets of the performers serve the duet well: Anna plays violin and manages the duo; Andrew plays guitar, sings, finds and creates great music arrangements. Duo Pleiades also has a team of associate musicians who can be available upon request. Other instrumental ensembles can be customized and include voice, piano, percussion, cello, and accordion.
About Us
Duo Pleiades is a professional violin and guitar ensemble based in Ottawa, Canada that plays music in a multitude of styles: Classical, Jazz, Popular, Celtic, Tango, Choro, Traditional and others. Established in 2011, Duo Pleiades has been performing in a variety of settings including weddings, retirement communities, chamber music concert series, and private home concerts.
The Violin and Guitar
Anna Baksheeva
Anna Baksheeva is a Russian-Canadian violinist and violin teacher based in Ottawa, Canada. Anna studied violin in Russia since the age of 5, attended special music schools in Vladivostok, has an associate degree from St.Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov music college, holds a Bachelor Degree in violin performance from the University of GA (USA) and Masters Degree from the University of Ottawa (Canada). Anna is a passionate musician who enjoys the full spectrum of her work as a violin teacher and as a freelance violinist, collaborating with many fine musicians in the national capital region.
Anna teaches violin at her home studio and works as a violin instructor at the Ottawa OMS Montessori School. Anna enjoys regular performances at various chamber music series around Ottawa and Gatineau with her Duo Pleiades as well as collaborates with pianists Frederick Lacroix, Katherine Addlemann, Daniel Furtado, Wayne Irschick and singer Sophie Bertrand. Mrs. Baksheeva is also part of a trio with Katherine Addlemann and Sophie Bertrand specializing in music of female composers. Lois Siegel Productions.inc is working with Anna since 2012 in performing music for retirement communities and private functions.
Anna lives in Ottawa and together with her musical husband they raise two musical children. They like to play together at home and at recitals.
Andrew Mah
Canadian guitarist Andrew Mah is a unique and exciting musician, widely regarded for his virtuosity, versatility, and heartfelt musicality. Born in Ottawa into a family of guitarists, he has performed professionally on classical guitar for more than 20 years, carving out a uniquely eclectic international career as a solo concert artist, chamber musician, teacher, arranger, producer, and adjudicator. Having concertized throughout Canada, the US, and Europe, he was the first North American ever to tour in the Republic of Cape Verde. Adjunct to his performing career, he is active in a presenting capacity as President of the Ottawa Guitar Society and is often sought out for his expertise in the arrangement and notation of music from other cultures and styles into readable scores for classical musicians.
Testimonials
“Thank you, Anna and Andrew for arranging our favourite songs and playing them so beautifully! We felt very special and will never forget the beautiful music during our ceremony and cocktail”
“ The music was the best part of our wedding! We are so glad we had you playing for us!”
“Duo Pleiades performed at our wedding this past summer and did an outstanding job. They were very professional and extremely talented and our guests enjoyed their performance immensely. I would recommend Duo Pleiades without hesitation.”
“For our ceremony and cocktail hour we had Anna and Andrew play a duo of violin and guitar. We had also asked them to play a specific song for our first dance and they did a wonderful job. They played beautifully and guests really loved the live music.”
“We hired Anna for a very last minute event. She was prompt and professional and extremely talented, and had a sizeable repetoire. We were very happy with her services and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.”
”Gabrielle and I, as well as all the guest truly enjoyed your music. It added the extra elegant touch to our ceremony and set the perfect scene for the cocktail reception. Everything was spot on as requested and we received only positive feedback from guests. Thanks again to you and Andrew for… read more
Associate Musicians
Duo Pleiades has a team of associate professional musicians who are available to sub and collaborate if needed. They are on call and ready to come and perform for a wedding or event so you can be certain that our live music will be on your special day!
Ottawa based guitarist, singer
Classical pianist in Ottawa
Soprano, guitar, piano
Classical Pianist in Ottawa
Jazz guitarist Ottawa
Percussion instruments: drums, shakers, triangles, chimes, ugly sticks, tamburins, spoons