Guitarist/mandolinist, Sten Isachsen and guitarist/composer, Maria Zemantauski, have delighted audiences around the globe as soloists and in various ensembles for decades. Together this dynamic string duo celebrate their eclectic musical tastes - fiery flamenco, classical, Latin, roots and bluegrass - to create a vibrant, rich and refreshing

Guitarist/mandolinist, Sten Isachsen and guitarist/composer, Maria Zemantauski, have delighted audiences around the globe as soloists and in various ensembles for decades. Together this dynamic string duo celebrate their eclectic musical tastes - fiery flamenco, classical, Latin, roots and bluegrass - to create a vibrant, rich and refreshing sound. Their rhythmically driven repertoire takes the listener on a journey of traditional classics, innovative arrangements and stunning original compositions.

“Petty Feet & Mistletoe” is the long-awaited Christmas cd by classical and flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemantauski. With her usual style and flair, Maria Z. celebrates traditional songs of the season with a few surprises along the way. These instrumental renditions of classics are arranged for solo guitar and guitar with cello (Monica Roach),

“Petty Feet & Mistletoe” is the long-awaited Christmas cd by classical and flamenco guitarist, Maria Zemantauski. With her usual style and flair, Maria Z. celebrates traditional songs of the season with a few surprises along the way. These instrumental renditions of classics are arranged for solo guitar and guitar with cello (Monica Roach), percussion (Brian Melick) and bass (Scott Petito).

With an original cover illustration by artist, Jane Reineke and masterfully engineered and co-produced by Scott Petito, the spirit of “Petty Feet & Mistletoe” is simple ---- may we all rest in the comfort of tradition and the warmth of family, friends, music, love and peace on earth. Feliz Navidad!

Voted "Best Flamenco Guitarist 2007" by the Albany Times Union Metroland Magazine's 2005 AND 2007 "Best Acoustic Guitarist" is Maria Zemantauski!

"While there's no denying that Maria Zemantauski is the region's preeminent flamenco guitarist, and is arguably one of the world's finest practitioners of Spain's most passionate music to boot, the thing

Voted "Best Flamenco Guitarist 2007" by the Albany Times Union Metroland Magazine's 2005 AND 2007 "Best Acoustic Guitarist" is Maria Zemantauski!

"While there's no denying that Maria Zemantauski is the region's preeminent flamenco guitarist, and is arguably one of the world's finest practitioners of Spain's most passionate music to boot, the thing that continues to blow our minds is how that doesn't seem to be enough for her. In solo and a variety of ensemble performances over the past year, Zemantauski has continually pushed the boundaries of the possible with her trusty 6-string, blending genres that have little or no business appearing on the same bill, much less in the same song. It's rarely less than electrifying to watch her do it."

Under the Lemon Tree is Maria's third cd release and once again this guitar music is a fine fusion-style treat! From the traditional flamenco-style sounds of 'Midnight in Gibraltar' and 'Paprika' to the banjo-bluegrass-inspired 'River Street', prepare yourself for a musical journey into the possibilities of the nylon-string guitar--although you will swear you hear more than 6 strings!

Keeping with tradition and always respecting her roots, Maria has also recorded two masterpieces from the classical repertoire, 'Rumores de la Caleta' by Isaac Albeniz and 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' by Francisco Tarrega, which she arranged as a guitar and domra duet with the Russian domra virtuoso Angelina Galashenkova-Reed. Oh....and top it all off with perhaps the most soulful instrumental rendition of 'Amazing Grace' you've ever heard!

This second cd release from guitarist, Maria Zemantauski, has been described as "simply dazzling" and "world class." Unlike "Mrs. Laughinghouse" - Zemantauski's critically acclaimed debut recording of solo guitar music - "Seeing Red" offers guitar accompanied by udu drum, cajon, kenjira, riq, castañuelas, palmas, baile, cello and bass. Zemantauski

This second cd release from guitarist, Maria Zemantauski, has been described as "simply dazzling" and "world class." Unlike "Mrs. Laughinghouse" - Zemantauski's critically acclaimed debut recording of solo guitar music - "Seeing Red" offers guitar accompanied by udu drum, cajon, kenjira, riq, castañuelas, palmas, baile, cello and bass. Zemantauski once again combines classic repertoire pieces by such composers as Sabicas and Granados with first rate original compositions. Her dynamic guitar style blends classical and world music traditions with a distinctive flamenco flair.

Voted the Best Solo Guitarist in New York's Capital Region. Maria Zemantauski has been described as "World class, a real player...a musician with astounding, breathtaking technique...and not at the expense of soul." (Metroland)

Her debut cd, Mrs. Laughinghouse has won her national acclaim as one of the few touring female flamenco-style guitarists

Voted the Best Solo Guitarist in New York's Capital Region. Maria Zemantauski has been described as "World class, a real player...a musician with astounding, breathtaking technique...and not at the expense of soul." (Metroland)

Her debut cd, Mrs. Laughinghouse has won her national acclaim as one of the few touring female flamenco-style guitarists in the world.

As one reviewer wrote, "Too often flamenco-style guitarists get caught in the speed-equals-passion trap, but not Maria Zemantauski. She shows an admirable restraint in her performance style, allowing the melody and emotion to be in the forefront without burying everything in a flurry of notes." (Dirty Linen)

Zemantauski composed eight of the eleven tracks on Mrs. Laughinghouse. Her writing is inspired primarily by the passionate and percussive sounds of flamenco, but the fine nuances of her classical guitar roots are not far from the surface.

The rich, meaty sound of Mrs. Laughinghouse is a joy to listen to just a wooden guitar, six strings and an incredible guitarist!