Mission
Nu Deco Ensemble’s mission is to create compelling and transformative genre-bending musical experiences that inspire, enrich and connect new and diverse audiences and artists.
About
Story
Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene captivating audiences, holistically engaging with its community and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry. Nu Deco is reimagining a fresh vision of what an orchestra can achieve in the 21st century. Created by two of classical music’s most in-demand artists, Jacomo Bairos and Sam Hyken, Nu Deco Ensemble is a flexible and innovative hybrid orchestra that celebrates living composers, reimagines all genres of music, and collaborates with a wide range of diverse musical guests, composers, choreographers, dancers, and mixed media artists.
Recent highlights include exclusive collaborations with Macy Gray, Ben Folds, Jacob Collier, Kimbra, Kishi Bashi, Time for Three, Danay Suarez, Cory Henry, Stephen Marley, Emily King, Bilal, Luke James, Andrew Bird, Tank and the Bangas, Lawrence, Masego, and many more award-winning composers and cross-over artists. The New York Times has hailed Nu Deco Ensemble as a “Chamber orchestra for the 21st century”, Billboard has announced them as “Sonically Spellbinding” and Saratoga Living exclaimed them as “fiery, captivating and refreshingly original”. In October 2019, Nu Deco Ensemble released their first album to include genre-bending collaborations, reimaginings of artists such as Outkast and Daft Punk, and new music by some of today’s most exciting living composers.
Nu Deco Ensemble engages the Miami community in dynamic ways to serve and enrich all walks of our diverse culture and people. The orchestra inspires and engages over 10,000 children annually through their interactive Imagination Series and annually brings hundreds of community members from underserved communities to attend performances. In the Spring of 2020, Nu Deco Ensemble launched its youth ensemble which in addition to instruction in classical and popular musical styles, arranging, composition, and improvisation offers coaching in wellness, health, leadership, collaborative communication, interpersonal skills, and community stewardship.
Nu Deco Ensemble announced their major label debut via Sony Music Masterworks with the July 21 release of a new EP, Duende. Released June 9th was the EP’s lead single, a cinematic and soaring take on ROSALÍA and The Weeknd’s hit song “LA FAMA”, followed by a breathtaking reimagination of Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ hit, “Unholy”. The entire EP, consisting of 5 classical reimaginations in addition to 1 original work, is available everywhere now.
Diversity, Equity, and Equality
Nu Deco Ensemble views the orchestra as a place for connection, exemplifying the highest ideals of Humanism. It is a place where artists and our community members from different ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds can come together for transformative, enriching, and inspiring moments. It is a shared space for everyone to be in fellowship of music and connection.
Diversity, equity, inclusivity, and acceptance are paramount pillars that we strive for in every aspect of our organization. We will continue to increase efforts to find more ways on how we can support this ethos.