DONATE! Watch Salonline Previous Salonlines

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Trio Maya

Yana Nikol, flute
Sara Zhu, flute
Dr. Ina Mirtcheva Blevins, piano

Echoes Through Time:
Music for Two Flutes and Piano

Trio Maya is a dynamic two flute and piano trio, fusing Romantic color with contemporary edge, Trio Maya explores virtuosic repertoire that spans over the centuries from composers like Franz Doppler and Hector Berlioz to Gary Schocker, Ian Clarke, and Astor Piazzola. 

BIOGRAPHY

Expanding upon her extensive classical training, Bulgarian flutist, arranger and composer Yana Nikol passionately embraces jazz and the folk music of different countries and cultures. As a flutist Yana is an active freelance musician in the DMV area sharing her musical prowess as a participant in various projects and ensembles that incorporate a vast array of musical genres. Venues she has performed at include AMP by Strathmore, The Mansion at Strathmore, Blues Alley Jazz Club, Havre de Grace Opera House, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and George Mason Center for the Arts, along with international appearances in Bulgaria, Bolivia, South Korea and China.
Yana Nikol is the creator and artistic director of Project Locrea – a global fusion ensemble, dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by the folk music of different countries. Combining sound and instrumentation of world folk traditions with classical, jazz and contemporary music conventions, the project’s focus is to bring a better understanding and deeper connection between cultures and people in current days, as well as to shine more light on freedom of artistic expression.
Project Locrea released their first album in 2022 which led them to winning two WAMMIE Awards (Washington Area Music Awards) for Best World Music Artist and Best World Music Song (“Abet Abet” featuring Munit Mesfin) in 2022.In 2023 Project Locrea in collaboration with Arlington Presbyterian Church hosted a music, food and culture festival under the name “Humans Beyond Borders”. Live album from the festival
performances will be released in June 2026. To learn more, visit projectlocrea.com.
Yana’s most current project is a two-flutes and piano trio, developed in collaboration with flutist Sara Zhu and pianist Dr. Ina Mirtcheva-Blevins. Together, they are committed to sharing both traditional and modern repertoire for this instrumentation with audiences.
In addition, Yana runs a thriving flute studio in Virginia.

Dr. Ina Mirtcheva Blevins has performed across the US and internationally in the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria and Canada. A highly sought after collaborator she frequently performs in the DC area and has accompanied virtually every classical instrument. Dr. Mirtcheva Blevins is a collaborative pianist for the Army Band tuba and euphonium workshop as well as trombone workshops at Fort Myer in Alexandria, VA. A big promoter of new music she has premiered many solo piano works as well as chamber compositions. Ina started piano lessons at age 5 in her native Bulgaria when they discovered she has perfect pitch and was trying to accompany her classmates on the piano in kindergarten. She has won many awards including 1st prize in the Schlern International competition in Italy. Dr. Mirtcheva Blevins has been a judge for several solo and concerto competitions for MTNA as well as MCAA, GIA and AAMS competitions. Dr. Mirtcheva Blevins holds degrees from Mason as well as University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Currently she is an adjunct piano faculty at the Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA where she teaches applied piano lessons and is also the keyboard stills area coordinator for all the Graduate Teaching Assistants. Dr. Ina Mirtcheva Blevins is a recipient of the 1st ever Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award at George Mason University. Ina has also been teaching piano classes for 55+ at the Mason Community Arts Academy for over a decade.

Sara Zhu is a genre-blending jazz and classical flutist, vocalist, composer, and producer based in the Washington, DC area. She performs regularly as both a leader and side-woman in many of DC’s staple establishments including Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center, Strathmore, The Kreeger Museum, and the Chilean and Belgium Embassies. In the 2023-2024 arts season, Zhu held a residency at Forte Jazz Lounge in Charleston, SC. She is featured on Alfred Yun’s recent album, “Voice and Phenomenon,” amongst many other recording projects. In addition to performing, Zhu is an avid educator, serving as the adjunct flute and jazz combo professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Zhu is currently working on the first album with her alternative rock band, Your Trusted Officials. Their single, “Everglades,” is currently available on all streaming platforms. (click here to listen). Zhu holds a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from James Madison University.

If you’d like to receive Emerson Avenue Salon invitations, you can add yourself to the invitation list HERE.