About Us
The Additive Color Ensemble likes all things new. Comprised of flutist Brian Allred, saxophonist David Berrios, and pianist Kai Ono, the trio was formed at the University of Kansas to create and perform unique programs of new music, with an emphasis on stylistic diversity and community outreach. Despite being a freshly formed group, the trio has already engaged in multiple projects, including a performance at the Society of Composers, Inc. Student National Conference, premiering Kai’s piece written specifically for the Additive Color Ensemble “A Tibetan Monk in Times Square”. The trio has taken its disadvantages of uncommon instrumentation and turned them into advantages, organizing a reading session, arranging pieces written for other instruments to create unique renditions, and introducing improvisation as significant elements of their programs. The trio collaborated with the Lied Center of Kansas’ educational outreach program to expose elementary school children to the performer’s career, a composer’s life, the unique blend of saxophone-flute-piano, and what new music is. They further developed as teaching artists as participants at Ensemble Connect's Audience Engagement Institute at Carnegie Hall. As for the additive colors, Brian is red, David is green, and Kai is blue. For now.