HUMANIZING LEADERSHIP
"The Colors of Latin America"
DUO ARAROKAI
Iris Marcipar - double bass
María Luz Poirier, piano
Named after the Guaraní word for rainbow, this duo is formed by two musicians with luminous names. Luz and Iris - born in Argentina's Litoral region - have joined their passion for exploring and sharing Latin America's unique musical spectrum.
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Mission
ARAROKAI’s mission is to expand the range of sounds beyond traditional classical repertoire and European influences, championing the music by contemporary women, non-binary, and queer composers of Latin America. For this ensemble, diversity goes beyond just mixing different works in a concert—it’s reflected in their research and musical choices. ARAROKAI’ work is therefore positioned at the crossroads of audience development and sonic experimentation.
ARAROKAI's repertoire follows The Latin American Women Composers Project mission, offering an inclusive and intercultural program featuring innovative works from the 20th and 21st centuries, originating from various regions of Latin America.
By performing and premiering new works for double bass and piano, ARAROKAI contributes to the global musical community. Moreover, by commissioning new repertoire by queer, non-binary and women composers, they promote different aesthetics and support the diverse languages emerging from the sonic innovations of Latin American composers.
Our Story
ARAROKAI was born in February 2024 when Iris and Luz's paths crossed in Atlanta, Georgia. Luz was on a concert tour in the city, as part of The Latin American Women Composers Project, while Iris was completing her DMA in double bass at the University of Georgia.
While performing at the Argentine Consulate in Atlanta, the musical and personal connection, and common professional goals made them realize that that first performance together was only the first of many others.
Following their debut in the United States, ARAROKAI brought their music back to their native country. In October 2024 they started their first tour. Luz and Iris also participated in the international initiative "Sonamos Latinoamérica Festival".
María Luz Poirier
María Luz Poirier is an advocate of contemporary music and emerging women composers from Latin América. For her outstanding artistry and impressive versatility, Poirier garnered recognition through the Italian Government Grant (MAE Scholarship), which allowed her to study at "Istituto Pietro Mascagni" (Livorno) in 2013 and 2014.
An alum of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario, María Luz's career began with Norma Scarafía and Ana María Cué. She continued her music education earning her Licenciatura in piano performance and MM in chamber music performance. She has worked with renowned musicians, including Daniel Rivera, Dario Ntaca, Edith Fisher, and Alexander Panizza. In 2002, Poirier was chosen as finalist in the IX Pau Casals International Competition. She has been awarded first prize in the XXV Mozarteum Festival for Young Talents.
María Luz is actively involved in several chamber music ensembles. Currently, she is a member of the all-women "Ensemble Warmi" and "Duo Ararokai", where she collaborates with double bassist Iris Marcipar. These groups are dedicated to promoting and preserving the music of Latin American composers from the 20th and 21st centuries. With Ensamble WARMI, Poirier has premiered more than 10 works in Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil.
In February 2024, María Luz toured the United States, performing Nadia Boulanger’s “Fantasie pour piano” with the Georgia Tech Orchestra. In addition, María Luz gave lectures and concerts at institutions such as Georgia State University, the University of North Georgia, and the Argentine Consulate in Atlanta.
Currently, María Luz is professor of piano and piano accompanist at the Carlos Guastavino Music School and the School of Music of Rosario, Argentina.
Iris Marcipar
Iris Marcipar is a multifaceted musician with a Master's in Music and a Doctorate in Musical Arts specializing in double bass from the University of Georgia (UGA, USA). She also holds a degree in Music, with a focus on Harmony and Counterpoint, from the National University of Litoral (UNL, Santa Fe, Argentina). Her double bass mentors include Milton Masciadri, Oscar Carnero, Elian Ortiz, and Norberto Juez, and she has further specialized in jazz under the guidance of David Dangelo and Greg Satterthwaite.
Iris serves as a professor of double bass, arranger, and musical group director at various institutions in Santa Fe, including the Provincial Music School (CREI), the Martha Argerich Scholarship Project in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and in the United States at the University of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.
She has been a member of the Provincial Orchestra of Santa Fe and the Augusta Symphony (Georgia, USA). Her expertise in tango is demonstrated through her work with the all-female group "Tangas," "Tango Vestido de Mujer," and "Quinteto Impar." Additionally, she has contributed to folk music as a double bassist, bassist, and charanguista with groups like "El Sitio" (Andean music) and "Resolana" (Argentine folklore).
In her academic and Latin American music projects, Iris is member of "Duo Ararokai" with pianist María Luz Poirier, and "Duo Sin Fronteras" with percussionist Sebastián Araya. She was also a member of the collaborative jazz group "The Swing Theory," based in Athens, GA, USA. An enthusiastic promoter of Argentine music, Iris is committed to sharing the unique musical heritage of her country with the world.
