Duo Riso was co-founded at the start of 2023 by Evan Kopca, clarinet, and Zaira Castillo, piano. Riso, is derived from the Latin word for 'laughter.' It symbolizes the joy and camaraderie we share during rehearsals and performances, where laughter flows freely alongside our music-making. The duo is passionate about exploring and expanding the limits of the piano & clarinet sound and sharing it through standard and non-traditional settings. Additionally, we are also eager to involve artists of different disciplines and engage in interdisciplinary projects to create unique and unusual experiences for the audience and the performers. Recent projects have involved innovative explorations with a variety of materials, including unconventional elements such as guitar slides, guitar picks, improvisation, and electronics. These explorations result in curating a diverse repertoire of canonical works alongside works written by composers within the greater Chicago area. Through these collaborations, the duo has engaged in topical aesthetics of classical, contemporary classical, guided improvisation, and jazz. Composers Duo Riso has recently collaborated with include: Craig Davis Pinson, Izi Ocean, Alexa Rinn, and Ben Zucker.