DATURA

IRON MOUNTAIN — The group Datura will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the Braumart.

Datura is the collaboration of Thomas Niebrzydowski, Christianna Maule-Tekampe and Natasha Maule-Tekampe. This guitar, violin and cello trio does classical, Celtic, eastern European and other music from around the world. Formed in July 2022, the group has appeared regularly in the Iron Mountain area.

Niebrzydowski owns Major 10th School of Music. He offers lessons in classical guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and piano.

He began playing the guitar at age 13 and went on to perform in various rock and country groups. Later, he began performing as a solo classical guitarist as well as in groups specializing in French song and Bossa Nova.

He played numerous venues in the Pacific Northwest over a 10-year period with the French groups Tourbillon and Zephyr.

He studied classical guitar with Jim Ferla of Carnegie-Mellon/University of Pittsburgh, jazz theory with Phil Baker of Pink Martini and finger style guitar with Pat Donahue.

Before opening the school of music in April 2021, Thomas taught at The Concert School of Music in Wilsonville, Ore from 1999-2009 and Thunder Island School of Music from 2010 to 2017.

He then opened Major 10th Music Studio in Iron Mountain, which relocated and expanded into the School of Music in 2021.

Natasha and Christianna’s music backgrounds have paralleled one another. Natasha began her musical journey as a 3 1/2-year-old in the world of Suzuki piano. Christianna began at age 4.

As years passed, they became interested in exploring other instruments. Natasha started the classical guitar at age 12. Christianna developed an interest in violin at the age of 10.

These two sisters joined two brothers and formed The Sturgeon River Quartet. They performed in various venues and educational settings throughout the area and surrounding communities. Natasha added the cello to her repertoire at age 15 and Christianna began the mandolin.

The sisters continued piano, harpsichord, cello/violin and chamber music education through the Lawrence University Conservatory of music in Appleton, Wis., and were members of the Dienstag Chamber Ensemble.

Both participated in the Green Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as the Fox Valley Honors Orchestra, which allowed them to travel to Rome, Italy, and perform alongside members of the Roman Symphony Orchestra.

Throughout their college education, Natasha and Christianna continued their studies in voice, cello and violin. They have taught many community members in Dickinson, Iron, Menominee and Florence counties over the years.

“Datura’s exceptional music will transport you around the world. Come to The Braumart for a relaxing afternoon of beautiful sounds by this local treasure,” Braumart Board member Sarah Rice said. “You will love this concert.”