Award-Winning Artists of ‘Fandango!’ Bring Spicy Mix of Classical Sounds to Coral Springs

by Guest Contributor January 10, 2020

by Guest Contributor January 10, 2020 20 views

By: Jen Russon

Award-winning musicians are bringing their toe-tappingly spicy mix of Latin, Spanish, Sephardic, Balkan, and classical sounds to the Coral Springs Charter School so that proceeds continue to support the South Florida nonprofit, Friends of Music.

Called Fandango!, the four-person band has toured both separately and together, at prestigious concert series in Washington D.C., Chicago, and the Bermuda International Festival, among many others.

Comprised of the husband and wife team, Eugenia Moliner and Denis Azabagic, the pair are known worldwide as the “Cavatina Duo.”

Fandango! members from left to right: David Cunliffe, Desiree Ruhstrat Denis Azabagic, Eugenia Moliner; photo courtesy of chambermuse.com

Moliner is a Spanish flutist and Azabagic, a Bosnian guitarist. The two other members of Fandango! are also married, featuring Grammy-winning violinist and cellist, Desiree Ruhstrat and David Cunliffe.

Ruhstrat, who plays violin and cellist David Cunliffe are both members of the Lincoln Trio and were nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2017.

Fandango! members have said their group’s presentations, such as the one being given this month at the Coral Springs Charter School, encourage students’ creativity, sparking a life-long interest in music, and broadening their comprehension of cultural and historical aspects in their world.

Friends of Music vice president, Sandra Greenland, who teaches piano to students in Parkland and Coral Springs, said children’s responses to Fandango!’s music was not only overwhelmingly positive but perhaps the first and only live classical music they are likely to hear.

“Our organization has a two-fold purpose: bringing outstanding music to our community through internationally recognized professional musicians and supporting the music programs in our local middle and high schools,” said Greenland.

She added Friends of Music has raised over a quarter of a million dollars for Broward public schools, and they rely on the community to attend the concerts and help promote their agenda to raise money for music programs throughout the county.

The nonprofit is paying the charter school for the use of their facilities, and ticket sales help fund the rental and the musicians, who recently played to a sold-out audience in Miami.

Fandango! will be performed on Monday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for teachers and parents accompanied by a student. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but can also be bought in advance by contacting Linda at 11hncs@aol.com or 954-752-5620.

The Coral Springs Charter School is located at 3205 University Drive.