About Us
The Desert Shadows Duo is the premiere Greater Tri-Cities classical music duo, performing at events in Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Yakima and Walla Walla to venues both formal and casual. The Desert Shadows Duo strives to maintain a high degree of musical and professional excellence through exceptional preparation, organization, and communication with its clients. Consisting of Masters degree-level musicians with half a century of combined musical training and experience, the Desert Shadows Duo is able to offer a wide selection of music from baroque to romantic to film music.
The Desert Shadows Duo is the perfect choice for venues demanding high quality instrumental music, whether as a full performance or as a light accompaniment to social gatherings. The Duo has performed at weddings, professional gatherings, formal dinners, fundraisers, church events, and much more.
Mary K. French, violin
Mary K. earned a Masters of Music in violin performance from the University of Idaho. She has studied under professors Ferenc Cseszko (University of Idaho), Meredith Arksey (Washington State University), Brian Hanly (University of Wyoming) and with Maria Larionoff, former Concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony. She has attended masterclasses with the Emerson String Quartet, Claremont Trio, St. Lawrence Quartet, Cypress String Quartet, Peabody Trio and Amadeus Trio. Mary K. presently maintains a violin/viola studio in the Tri-Cities. For over 20 years, she been the violinist for the Desert Shadows Duo and the Columbia Classical Arts Trio. For 12 years, Mary K. has served as the concertmaster for the Mid-Columbia Symphony.
Mickey French, cello
In 1982, Mickey earned a Bachelors of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Wyoming. He studied cello under Barbara Thiem, the former head assistant to the world-famous cellist, Janos Starker at Indiana University, and under Dr. David Tomatz, cellist with the internationally acclaimed piano trio, The Western Arts Trio. For over 20 years, Mickey has been the cellist for the Desert Shadows Duo and the Columbia Classical Arts Trio. Mickey has served as principal cellist with the Mid-Columbia Symphony and played in the cello section of the Washington East Opera.