Alyona Aksyonova - piano / James Waldo - cello

Welcome to our site! We would love to share our music with you. This is a challenging time for musicians and music lovers. While our 2020-21 concert season was tabled by the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to keep in touch with you and see you again when we have collectively gotten through this challenging time. In the meantime, keep up with us on Facebook and Youtube.

“In all my years of association with Piccolo Spoleto I have never heard a more exciting chamber music concert at either Spoleto Festival USA or Piccolo Spoleto than the Music with Friends event which featured James Waldo, cello and Alyona Aksyonova, piano, performing the Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano. Their interpretation was absolutely ravishing! They elevated the music to such heights of intensity and tenderness, evoking tears among many members of the audience… These gifted young players are true artists who can transport their listeners straight to heaven!”

--Ellen Dressler Moryl, Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Piccolo Spoleto Festival Charleston, South Carolina


Pianist Alyona Aksyonova and cellist James Waldo are the A.W.Duo. Concertizing around the U.S. with increasing frequency, the duo loves exploring the rich musical literature and sonic possibilities for cello and piano. Based in New York City, the duo enjoys a diverse schedule of touring and festival appearances, chamber music collaborations with friends, and commissioning new works.

The A.W.Duo loves community! Whether playing in our home city or touring, we do our best to help bring positive change to the places we visit. We regularly work with towns, churches, universities, and other communities to organize benefit concerts for local causes. Our duo has helped various communities raise over $12,000 for local causes.