about duo

We play for everyone.

DUO is a La Crosse–based chamber ensemble committed to making orchestral music radically accessible, telling the stories our musical tradition has too often left out, and celebrating the local performers who call the Driftless region home.

How DUO came to be

The Driftless Urban Orchestra was founded in 2020 by musicians who asked: how can chamber music better reflect our own community?

We started small, doing repertoire readings and partnering with community organizations. We played in community centers and parks, and focused on blending new, vibrant voices alongside established voices in the music world - and using local musicians to do it.

Today, DUO grows stronger and larger each season, performing multiple concerts — all free or sliding scale — and runs educational programs reaching hundreds of students across the Coulee Region every year.

6

Seasons of History

3

World Premieres

100%

Free or Sliding-Scale Concerts

800+

Students & Families Served
Our Commitment
In every season, we strive to put living composers and those from underrepresented communities on equal programmatic footing with established names from the canon.
What we believe

Our Values

Read about the values that make up our DNA as an organization

Equity

The classical music canon doesn't have to choose between tradition and innovation. We actively work to support and expand both

Access

Ticket price should never be a barrier to communities engaging in music performance. DUO works to take music to new locations throughout our community

Excellence

Accessibility and excellence aren't mutually exclusive. We hold ourselves to the highest musical standards in everything we perform.

Community

Community input shapes our season, our venues, and our commissions. We work to feature local talent from our surrounding communities and are always looking for new community partnerships.

The Board

Meet the Board

DUO is built with the help of a core of dedicated professional who call the Driftless region home.

🎵

Tara Kelly

Vice Chair
🎵

Leisha Lucas

Secretary
🎵

Sarah Herath

Treasurer
🎵

Paul Jewson

🎵

Cullan Lucas

Founder/Artistic Director