The unique chamber ensemble Bach to Bossa Nova was founded in 1994. The trio consists of Robin Kaplan ( flute ), Melody Cooper ( piano and vocals ), and Michael Andrews ( cello ). Our classical repertoire is very similar to that of a string quartet . That music has been arranged for our instrumentation, which is called a piano trio. Our musical training includes degrees from New York, Illinios, Argentina and Wales.  

But what makes us so unique? Our diverse musical backgrounds have led us to include an entire repertoire of South American rhythms, such as bossa nova and samba from Brazil,  tango from Argentina,  bolero, rhumba and cha cha from Cuba. We also play popular American music and jazz swing. Also in our repertoire are folk melodies from Ireland and Eastern Europe. And we are an acoustic trio, all the instruments you hear are all the instruments we bring.    

The feel of our group is elegant and yet fun, classy but not stuffed shirts. We bring joy and diversity to every performance. 

Bach to Bossa Nova has performed for  wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, dinners and at many private functions and fundraisers. A sample of venues we have appeared include;  The Audobon House,  Hemingway House, Hilton, Hyatt, Pier House, Wyndham Casa Marina, Reach, Gingerbread Art Gallery, Sunset Key, Little Palm Island and the Tennessee Williams Theater .  

 
Melody Cooper, piano, Melody Cooper is originally from New York City. Melody’s professional training started at the age of seven with the study of classical piano, continuing through college and now includes many years of study of piano and voice, and performance in the classical , jazz and pop genres.

Melody’s performance credits are too numerous to list here, but highlights include appearances at New York’s Lincoln Center and Small's Paradise, in Key West at La Te Da, the La Concha, the Key West Yacht Club, the Pier House and Virgilio's. and internationally in Edinburgh and London.

For more about Melody visit melodycooper.com

Robin Kaplan, flute, studied at the Dartington School of the Arts in Devon, England, under Peter Kennedy, master of Celtic folk music. While studying in England, she had the opportunity to perform at many popular folk music clubs.

 
Upon returning to Key West, Robin founded The Music Room, where students of all ages benefit from her skills and experience. Accomplished on several instruments, including flute, piano, guitar and saxophone, Robin enjoys teaching as much as she enjoys performing. She has performed locally at a wide variety of events.

Robin has recorded with the Sonatinaturners Trio and has performed regularly with classical guitarist Rick Peterson. After a hiatus from the classical genre, during which she played saxophone with the salsa band, Conjunto Caribe, Robin is currently combining her Latin and classical styles in Bach to Bossa Nova.

Michael Andrews, cello, After growing up in Michigan and Wisconsin Mr.Andrews attended the University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois, where he studied with Gabor Magyar of the Hungarian String Quartet. Following graduation he moved to Boston to study with George Neikrug.  For five years Mr. Andrews played with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Caracas, Venezuela and taught at the orchestra conservatory. He also taught for the Orquesta Juvenil, flying twice a month to San Cristobel de los Andes, near the Colombian border, to teach cello students. Returning to the US he taught and performed with the Wausau Conservatory, Wausau, Wisconsin.  In Florida he has played in the Naples Philharmonic, Southwest Florida Philharmonic and the  Miami Symphony.

Mr. Andrews founded the South Beach Chamber Ensemble in Miami Beach in 1997 and is dedicated to having diverse communities experience the beauty and intimacy of the human spirit through chamber music.

 
Classical
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Bach
Air on a G String, Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze, Bach
Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
Trio in D, Haydn
Trio in G, Haydn
Trio in F, Haydn
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Mozart
Trio No. 5, Allegretto, Mozart
Trio No. 6, Mozart
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Partia I and II, Pachelbel
Triosonate, Telemann
Trio Op. No. 17, Clara Schumann


Bossa Novas
Triste, Jobim
Desafinado, Jobim
Corcovado, Jobim
Blue Bossa, Dorham
Song for my Father, Silver



Ballads
Mi Buen Amor
I Will
As Time Goes By
Unforgettable
What a Wonderful World
When I Fall in Love

 
For booking information, call