Hailed as “the new cross-continental duo to pay attention to” (Classical Post), Orbit is comprised of Aliayta Foon-Dancoes (violin) and Isidora Nojkovic (cello). Since founding their group in 2020, they have appeared at the Canadian Opera Centre, New Music Gathering, Gifts for the River Film Festival, and the Long Beach Opera Gala, and have commissioned five new works for violin and cello with generous support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Their performances have been described as packing “a mind-bending punch” (I Care if You Listen).
ALIAYTA FOON-DANCOES, violin
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Aliayta has performed with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Sidney Classical Orchestra and the Galliano Ensemble. She was the founding first violinist of London-based Echéa String Quartet, the 2019/20 String Quartet Fellows at the Royal Academy of Music. Echéa performed across North America, Europe, and South America where they were featured artists with the BBC, CBC, and NPR. Aliayta is now studying at Princeton University where she is pursuing a PhD in composition.
ISIDORA NOJKOVIC, cello
Praised for her “great control” (Chicago Classical Review), cellist Isidora Nojkovic is an active soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician. She has a passion for contemporary music and commissioning, having premiered over 50 works, and is one half of the contemporary violin/cello duo Orbit (“the new cross-continental duo to pay attention to.” – Classical Post). She performs regularly with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Vancouver’s Turning Point Ensemble, and the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra. She has also completed two tours with Lincoln Center Stage, performing in twenty-two countries as part of a piano quintet. She is currently the cello professor at University of Northern Iowa and Millikin University in Decatur.
ORBIT 