Northern Michigan University will open the 2025-2026 Siril Concert Series with Deux Saisons (French for “two seasons”), a duo featuring soprano Keri Lee Pierson and classical guitarist Christopher Schoelen, who perform a wide musical repertoire ranging from the Renaissance through the present day.
The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Tickets are $12 for general admission and free for NMU students and those under 18. They can be purchased at nmu.universitytickets.com. The duo will also present two events earlier that day that are free and open to the public: a music appreciation presentation at 11 a.m., followed by a masterclass at 1 p.m., both located in Reynolds Recital Hall.
Deux Saisons presents a multifaceted collection of old and new classical pieces. The pair frequently incorporates audience participation and promotes the benefits that music has for education. Both believe that music should be obtainable and of high quality, allowing many to be introduced to the world of classical music.
Pierson, an assistant professor at NMU, is a classically trained musician who earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Contemporary Music at Bowling Green State University, a master's in vocal performance from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor's in vocal performance from the University of Central Florida. She formerly taught private voice lessons, diction courses, theory, history, and literature at BGSU and Flagler College, as well as K-6 music. She also served as a staff musician for various churches.
Schoelen is an adjunct instructor at NMU. He has released three albums and performed internationally. He obtained a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in guitar performance from the University of South Carolina and won numerous collegiate scholarships and awards. In 2011, Schoelen moved to Spain to further his study of classical music with the Spanish guitarist, Francisco Bernier. He has since performed throughout Europe, including Spain and Italy.
Deux Saisons marks the beginning of the 2025-2026 Siril Concert Series, with more concerts and events planned throughout the year. Learn more at nmu.edu/music/siril-concert-series.
To learn more about the duo, visit their website, https://deuxsaisonsduo.com/.