Not-for-profit booking agency Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates presents a night of strings and piano on Friday, featuring Duo Diorama and the Resident Student String Quartet. Duo Diorama, comprised of Chinese violinist MingHuan Xu and Canadian pianist Winston Choi, perform an eclectic mix of compositions from the standard to the avant-garde.

Also setting Duo Diorama apart from the classical/chamber scene is their interest in performing the music of living composers. Presenting the works of modern masters as well as emerging talent, the duo have commissioned and premiered over 20 works in their first few years.

Duo Diorama have played extensively around North America, South America and Europe, including at Carnegie Hall in 2006 as winners of the Artists International Presentations’ Special Chamber Music Award. Their fresh, powerful approach has yielded praise from such figures as conductor Victor Yampolsky, who said, "Choi is an intellectual when it comes to music. It manifests itself in his handling of musical forms and of composers' styles and wishes. Xu is spontaneous, rhapsodic and romantic. Together, it is a wonderful dynamic." Duo Diorama performs Strauss' "Improvisation: Andante Cantabile Sonata in E flat Major"

Bringing together their diverse interests, Duo Diorama's program on Friday includes works by Claude Debussy, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng and Maurice Ravel.

Opening this latest event in the GLPAA series are the Resident String Quartet of the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts. Comprised of violinists Lauren Pulcipher and Caley McMillan, along with Julia Markey on viola and Bryan LaPointe on cello, the quartet is coached by Leslie Cappozzoli. They will perform from Bedrich Smetana's String Quartet No. 1 in E Minor, "From My Life."

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com or 734-623-2526, and follow her on Twitter @chrystacherrie.

Duo Diorama: Friday, November 20 at Kerrytown Concert House, 415 North Fourth Avenue. $5 student; $10 general admission; $15/$25 assigned rows. 8 p.m. 734-769-2999.