Duo Riso—co-founded by pianist Zaira Castillo and clarinetist Evan Kopca—creates immersive, boundary-blurring performances that reimagine the traditional concert experience through sound, space, and collaboration. Rooted in a shared spirit of curiosity and play (riso, from the Latin word for “laughter”), the duo embraces humor, spontaneity, and deep listening as essential parts of their artistic practice.

Dedicated to expanding the sonic possibilities of piano and clarinet, Duo Riso works across acoustic, electroacoustic, and intermedia formats, often integrating sculpture, recycled materials, interactive lighting, and theatrical elements into their performances. Their work is equally comfortable in written and improvised formats, drawing on aesthetics from contemporary classical music, experimental sound, and intermedia performance practices.

Recent projects have included collaborations exploring unconventional materials, as well as interdisciplinary work with artists across sound, visual art, and installation practices. The duo is also committed to educational engagement, having led workshops and performances at institutions such as Northwestern University and Roosevelt University.

Duo Riso has presented work at venues and series including Constellation Chicago’s Frequency Series, Splice Festival, Electronic Music Midwest, and Experimental Sound Studio, as well as in informal and DIY contexts such as the Toledo Club (OH) and Clara Chicago, which prioritize accessibility and community connection. Through both curated and nontraditional spaces, the duo seeks to cultivate listening environments where experimentation, humor, and collaboration become shared forms of discovery.