Established in Leipzig since 2023, Duo Arau is the result of the encounter and shared vision between Chilean pianist Natalia Álvarez and Venezuelan flautist Elisa Pena. This ensemble was born with the steadfast purpose of researching and disseminating the richness of Latin American music and the music of the American continent within the current European context.
The duo's name is a tribute to the identity and roots of its members, merging the first syllables of two emblematic trees: the Venezuelan Araguaney and the Chilean Araucaria. Through this union, Duo Arau explores the musical expressions that define their origins, bridging tradition with contemporary interpretation and social engagement.
Originally from the port city of Coquimbo, Chile, Natalia began her connection with music from an early age. After completing her higher studies in Musicology and Piano in her native country, she developed an active career participating in cultural management projects and performing in various regions of Chile as a soloist and accompanying pianist for prominent choral ensembles.
In 2019, motivated by the search for new professional and life experiences, she relocated to Leipzig, Germany. In this new European chapter, Natalia has consolidated her facet as a performer, offering concerts dedicated to the promotion of the Latin American repertoire. At the same time, she has integrated her musical sensitivity with her new career in the healthcare world, where she uses music as a care element for individuals with healthcare needs.
My musical journey began in Venezuela at an early age, as I integrated into the national system of children's and youth orchestras. I started my path as a violinist before transitioning to the flute, performing as a member of various symphonic ensembles. My foundational training in ethnomusicology allowed me to develop a profound interest in the social and cultural dimensions of sound, laying the groundwork for my current practice.
With the goal of deepening my understanding of the therapeutic impact of music, I relocated to Europe, where I pursued specialized studies in Music Therapy. During this period, I developed research focused on musical identity as a modulator of behavior—a project that later materialized into clinical intervention programs within the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. My work focused on the humanization of care within intensive care units, utilizing sound as a mental health support tool for both patients and healthcare staff.
We explore the musical expression of our roots and the music that defines our existence.
Chilean piano and Venezuelan flute unite in the passionate collaboration of Duo Arau. Natalia Álvarez and Elisa Peña are on a mission to celebrate and breathe new life into the heartfelt melodies of roots music, creating an enchanting sonic journey that bridges cultures and stories.