Musical Arts Series at Southeastern welcomes Duo Cantabile on March 5

February 25, 2026

The second concert of the 2025-26 Musical Arts Series at Southeastern Oklahoma State University will feature cellist Simona Barbu and pianist Nariaki Sugiura at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Fine Arts Recital Hall. Admission is free.

The 53rd Season of the Musical Arts Series is sponsored by Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the National Endowment for the Arts, Oklahoma Arts Council, Steger Piano Institute, and the Clark and Wanda Bass Foundation.

Duo Cantabile consists of Dr. Simona Barbu and Dr. Nariaki Sugiura, who are both members of the music faculty at the University of North Dakota.

“This duo is a dynamic group who will certainly entertain the audience with an exciting program,” said Dr. Catalin Dima, assistant professor of piano at Southeastern and artistic director for the Musical Arts Series. “We are fortunate to have them play at Southeastern and we invite everyone to come enjoy this show.”

Founded in 2012 by Romanian cellist Simona Barbu and Japanese pianist Nariaki Sugiura, Duo Cantabile has established itself as a dynamic force in international performance and music education. Both distinguished artists and pedagogues at the University of North Dakota, the duo has performed, taught, and presented master classes at leading institutions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Their appearances include engagements at prominent universities and conservatories in Germany, Hungary, Romania, China, Taiwan, Colombia, and Canada, as well as performances at major festivals and conferences such as the North Dakota Museum of Art Concert Series, Greencastle Summer Music Festival, Masterworks Music Festival, Dream Big Collaborative Piano Conference, and College Music Society National Conferences. Their programs frequently feature original transcriptions and newly commissioned works by contemporary American composers.

In 2023, Barbu and Sugiura founded the Medora Music Academy, where they serve as Artistic Directors, expanding access to high-level music education throughout the Upper Midwest. Deeply committed to outreach, they regularly present interdisciplinary and cross-cultural initiatives in underserved communities.

The duo is the 2025 recipient of the Joyce and Aqueil Ahmad Endowment for the Promotion of Peace and Nonviolence, supporting an expanded series of performances in underserved areas. Their artistic and entrepreneurial leadership has also earned visiting professorships and distinguished honors from international institutions.

About the Artists

Simona Barbu is an internationally acclaimed cellist who has appeared as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer throughout Asia, South America, Europe, and the United States. She has collaborated with leading artists and performed with numerous orchestras. A dedicated educator, she previously served on the faculty of Mississippi State University and currently holds the Burgum Endowed Chair at the University of North Dakota.

Nariaki Sugiura is an internationally recognized concert pianist who has performed in major concert halls across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. An in-demand soloist and chamber musician, he is also widely respected as a master teacher, having presented master classes at major institutions worldwide and held faculty positions at leading universities in the United States and Asia.

Together, Duo Cantabile continues to advance artistic excellence, innovative programming, and meaningful community engagement on a global scale.