By pure chance, Belgian flutist Berten D’Hollander and Belarusian-American composer-pianist Nina Siniakova met in March 2023, when Nina was asked to be the pianist for Berten’s chamber music recital in New Jersey. What was meant to be a simple one-time collaboration instantly sparked into an adventurous partnership full of energy and creativity. Inspired by Berten’s extraordinary artistry, Nina soon began writing new works for him, from her flute concerto Landscapes of Sorrow and Grace to As We Were Gazing at the Stars for flute, piano, and chamber orchestra, plus a growing collection of arrangements and original pieces for flute and piano.

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Since then, the two have built a partnership that is as lively as it is unique — blending Berten’s dazzling performances with Nina’s imagination at the piano and composer’s desk. They bring together wide international experience, charisma, sparkling humor, and a readiness for any kind of improvisation — whether in music or in conversation. Their programs stretch from classical to jazz to free improvisation, always infused with a sense of discovery and play, yet grounded in the highest artistic standards. Both artists deeply value excellence in classical and contemporary music, and this commitment shapes every performance they share on the international stage.

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In just a short time, the duo has appeared on stages across the U.S., and in April 2025 they were in residence at Nazareth University in Rochester, invited by Professor Octavio Vasques. That same year, they were awarded a grant from New York Women Composers, an organization dedicated to supporting and presenting the works of its members. This recognition has given their duo further opportunities to perform Nina’s original music of the highest caliber and bring it to new audiences. Their fresh energy has caught attention, too: they’ve been featured in The Flute View .

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What began as a chance encounter has blossomed into a truly dynamic duo, where performance and composition fuse in a uniquely collaborative voice, and every program offers a fresh journey through sound, imagination, and artistry.

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