Amorsima Trio is an ensemble that redefines the traditional expectations of a string trio, bringing a fresh and contemporary perspective to the stage. Comprised of violinist Mia Detwiler, violist Mike Capone, and cellist Kourtney Newton, the trio was founded in 2016 through a shared passion for new music. With an unwavering commitment to expanding the string trio repertoire, the Amorsima Trio actively commissions new works, seeking out collaborations with innovative composers.
Amorsima Trio's recent projects demonstrate their artistic versatility and dedication to celebrating music in all its forms. Notably, in 2021, they premiered 21 miniatures by 21 composers in response to Beethoven's 250th anniversary. The program showcased a wide variety of styles, allowing the trio to engage with classical traditions while infusing them with their own contemporary perspective. In 2022, the trio received a Classical Commissioning Grant from Chamber Music America to collaborate with composer Chaz Underriner on a multimedia work integrating string trio, video, and electronics, and in 2024 they collaborated with Soli Chamber Ensemble as a part of their 30x30x30 Project.
Passionate about supporting the work of emerging composers, the trio has served as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Louisville New Music Festival and the Tarrant County College Summer Composition Workshop, performing works by student composers. They have also performed as a featured ensemble at Mise-en Music Festival, New Music Gathering, New Music on the Bayou, the International CEMICircles Festival of Experimental Music and Intermedia, and the Electric LaTex Festival. Their performances can be heard on albums released by New Focus Recordings, Stradivarius, and Soundologia.
Based in Texas, the Amorsima Trio performs regularly throughout the Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex areas, curating concerts that highlight works by living composers. They frequently appear on the Sounds Modern concert series, directed by Elizabeth McNutt at the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art, and have performed at the Beerthoven concert series, directed by Daniel Swayze, which brings classical music to nontraditional venues in the Austin area. The trio is dedicated to reaching new audiences by performing in unconventional spaces and creating engaging programs. During the solar eclipse in April 2024, the trio performed works inspired by the celestial realm at Austin’s Dimension Gallery Sculpture Park, as well as at Texas Woman’s University in Denton and Blackerby Performance Hall in Austin. They have also performed in community venues such as dadaLab and at Here Be Monsters, a large-scale new music event hosted by Tetractys New Music. Their work has been supported in part by the City of Austin, including funding for new commissions.
The name, "Amorsima," originates from the Greek language, meaning "that which does not come from fate." Inspired by the Xenakis work Morsima-Amorsima, the name embodies their fearless pursuit of musical discovery and their rejection of predestined paths. It symbolizes their constant exploration of new horizons, as they navigate uncharted musical territories and captivate audiences with their adventurous spirit.
