Location and Accessibility

Montrose Collective
888 Westheimer Road #159
Houston, Texas 77006

Open Studio Schedule

During the months of February and March, the gallery will be open on Fridays from 5–7PM, and Saturdays and Sunday from 4–7PM for public open studios. These sessions offer visitors an opportunity to connect with the group and be part of their processes of musical composition and collaboration.

Performances

In addition to open studio writing sessions, Two Star Symphony will hold open discussions with audience members about their writing and creative processes. On select dates, the band will perform samples of the work they are producing for their CAMHLAB residency. The band will also make visible their inspirations for the work-in-progress, including the storyline created by collaborator/puppeteer Afisaneh Aayani and silent films they have been working with.

About Two Star Symphony

Two Star Symphony is Houston’s “most unusual music ensemble.” Composing and performing all-original music in quartet, quintet, and octet configurations, Two Star brings modern instrumental music to a wide range of audiences, from classical music enthusiasts to first-time listeners.

Two Star Symphony’s dark, distinctive sound is inspired by their influences, which include Danny Elfman, Dr. Dre, Tom Waits, cartoons, hauntings, skulls, graveyards, black cats, and Dominic Walsh. The band works differently than most classical ensembles in that every member is also a composer. Songs are written and arranged collaboratively as a group, with each player responsible for their own parts. By the time the songs are finished, the music is memorized. Two Star Symphony does not create sheet music, so the player is free to focus on listening rather than reading. This allows them to score silent film by reacting to the screen rather than having their eyes focused on a music stand. Two Star Symphony has released six albums and created multiple scores for film and various projects.

Two Star Symphony has a history of collaborating with other artists and a variety of media. Two Star Symphony has created original works with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, Whim W’Him Dance Company, Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theater, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), and The University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance.

About Afsaneh Aayani

Afsaneh Aayani is a Houston-based scenic designer, puppeteer, puppet maker, mask maker, voice actress, and artist with over 15 years of industry experience. She began her artistic journey in Iran where she developed her skills as a puppeteer and puppet maker, performed as a voice actor on television, and built her foundation as an artist. She completed her Bachelors in Puppetry from the Art University of Tehran and shortly thereafter performed in festivals internationally including in China, Poland, and Sri Lanka.