Harpist, Amelia Romano, and Cellist, Saul Richmond-Rakerd, cover a wide range of musical genres making their collaboration unique beyond what their instrumentation might suggest. Luminance Duo, and their freelance performance careers, draw from their diverse musical backgrounds seeped in classical conservatory repertoire and folk music of Latin America. These influences create a rich, vibrant, and flexible soundscape. Todays set will feature original works, and inventive interpretations of jazz, classical and pop standards which they have mapped onto their acoustic duo. Though classic to the eyes, their sound will get your heart and feet moving.

Formed in the San Francisco Mission District, Luminance, performs original works inspired by Latin American music styles and classical traditions. Featuring Amelia Romano on acoustic lever harp, and Saul Richmond-Rakerd on cello, the duo bridges fiery rhythms, lush chords and soaring melodies with classics - Charles Aznavours' "La Boheme" and Chopin's "Prelude No. 4 in E minor," to create a subtle yet charismatic musical experience.

Amelia Romano (Lever Harp)
An eclectic blend of austere serenity and kinetic vibrancy, Amelia Romano takes what is known about conventional harp and surpasses every time. Pulling from her roots in the cultural hotbed of San Francisco, Amelia not only plays music from the repertoire but reprises them and creates originals. Latin American music, jazz and classical are all genres that she touches but her music defines its own path.

Saul Richmond-Rakerd (cello)
An avid player of many musical genres, Saul loves to collaborate with performers and creators from diverse backgrounds. So while his main focus remains in the classical world – he is assistant principal in the Santa Cruz Symphony and a section cellist of the Monterey Symphony, as well as being a very active chamber musician in the Bay Area – he plays with groups with roots in hip hop, rock, jazz, electronics, and more. If a cello will fit in (and it always does) he’ll fit in too!