Music Classes / Duetto Musical Class

Music Classes
Duetto Musical Class

Duetto Musical Class Manifesto

At Duetto Musical Class, we offer more than just music lessons. We nurture artists, build confidence, and create experiences that last a lifetime.

We believe that music is not only about technique, but also about the courage to step onto the stage, the discipline to grow, and the joy of creating together. Every student develops at their own pace, and our mission is to guide them with professionalism, patience, and high standards, in an environment where performance and the joy of learning go hand in hand.

Every lesson builds confidence. Every moment on stage is a learning experience.

What We Aim to Achieve for Every Student

At the end of each school year, we want our students to do more than simply play or sing better. We want them to become more confident, more disciplined, more creative, and better prepared to express themselves. We achieve this through music.

We believe that performance is not just about technique. It is also about the ability to collaborate, overcome stage fright, and have the courage to share what you have to offer.

Why do families choose Duetto?

First and foremost, Duetto is about family.

The families who come to Duetto are looking for more than an extracurricular activity. They choose us for the reassurance of a proven educational pathway and an environment that inspires excellence.

We believe the best results are achieved when the teacher, the student, and the family work as one team. That is why every stage of the educational journey is built around communication, transparency, and mutual trust.

We are more than a music school. We are the family’s partner in each student’s artistic development.

This is the promise we make to every family that chooses Duetto.

What do we offer at DUETTO?

Highly qualified music teachers: Guidance from active performing artists who understand the realities of the stage.
Academic coordination: The entire educational programme is structured and coordinated by me, Cristina Radu. Cristina Radu Ensemble is the artistic brand through which I perform as an active musician, with extensive stage experience in jazz, bossa nova, and contemporary music. At the same time, I am a tenured teacher at the Dinu Lipatti National College of Arts. This combination provides a high standard of teaching expertise, validated through national examinations, and allows me to translate academic rigour into an accessible and motivating learning experience.
As both a performing artist and an educator, I bring to Duetto a balanced approach that combines technical development with artistic expression. Beyond teaching, I regularly perform with my own ensemble and collaborate with professional musicians on active artistic projects.
My experience of concerts, rehearsals, show production, and working within a professional musical team is integrated into the educational process, allowing students to discover not only how music is studied, but how it is lived and experienced.
My role includes coordinating the curriculum according to high educational standards, periodically evaluating students, and guiding each student’s musical development according to their individual level and goals.
Level-based structured curriculum: No improvised teaching methods — every course follows clear learning objectives.
Regular assessments: Students and parents always have a clear view of progress.
Live-accompanied concerts: Authentic stage experience alongside a professional band.
Artistic community: A safe and supportive environment where students encourage one another and grow together.

The Duetto Student Journey

Every student taking their first steps in music needs a roadmap. At Duetto, progress is not left to chance. It follows a clear educational pathway, structured into progressive stages designed to ensure continuous development.

Here is the journey we take together:

1. Demo Lesson — Discovery
Everything begins with a first meeting where we get to know one another. This is not an exam, but a friendly session where we explore the student’s connection with their chosen instrument or voice and see how well they connect with the teacher.

2. Artistic Assessment — The Starting Point
Following the demo lesson, we assess the student’s current development in areas such as musical ear, rhythm, and technique. This provides the foundation we need to tailor the educational journey to each individual student.

3. Setting Goals — Our Shared Roadmap
Together, we establish a clear direction. Whether the goal is personal development, pursuing music as a hobby, or intensive preparation for auditions and competitions, objectives are always clear, realistic, and tailored to each student.

4. Personalised Plan — The Repertoire
Based on these goals, the teacher develops an individual study plan. We select appropriate technical exercises and create a personalised repertoire, allowing students to work on pieces that challenge them while also showcasing their individual personality and strengths.

5. Weekly Lessons — Discipline & Progress
This is where consistent work happens. Through regularly scheduled lessons and continuous feedback, students develop not only musical technique, but also discipline, patience, and the joy of learning. It is a safe environment where mistakes become opportunities to learn.

6. Studio Sessions™ — Internal Performances
Three times a year, we organise class performances in front of an audience. These give students the opportunity to test their repertoire in a friendly, controlled environment and learn how to manage the emotions of performing before stepping onto a larger stage.

7. Duetto Live™ — The Thrill of the Stage
The highlight of the Duetto experience. Students perform on a real stage in a professional venue, with stage lighting and live instrumental accompaniment. Events such as Christmas Oldies and Pop & Jazz Essentials transform the work done in the classroom into a memorable experience and an important milestone in each student’s development as an artist.

8. Artistic Progress Report™ — Measuring Results
Each stage of study includes regular assessment. Alongside feedback and guidance sessions led by Cristina Radu, students and parents receive a clear overview of the student’s technical and expressive development.

9. The Next Level — Setting New Milestones
Music is a lifelong journey. Once a module has been completed and a concert milestone achieved, we return to the classroom with renewed confidence, ready to tackle more complex repertoire and reach new standards of performance.

Beyond Music

Throughout this journey, students develop not only musical skills, but also:

discipline and consistency;
emotional awareness and management;
confidence in expressing themselves in front of an audience;
collaboration within an artistic team;
responsibility for seeing a project through from preparation to completion.

Every performance, every rehearsal, and every concert becomes an opportunity to develop confidence, discipline, and self-expression.

These are skills that will stay with our students far beyond the stage.

What Will My Child Learn? (Long-Term Development & Progress Roadmap)

Parents often ask us what they can expect and how we know whether a student is truly progressing. At Duetto, progress is not simply a feeling — it is a measurable journey. After each major stage of study, we assess results, provide clear feedback, and recognise the work and dedication invested along the way.

Here is what that transformation looks like:

After the First 3 Months: Foundations & Discipline

What they learn: Students develop the discipline of consistent practice. They begin to master proper breathing techniques or correct instrumental posture, improve their sense of rhythm and musical ear, and learn to perform their first simple pieces with confidence and coherence.
How we measure progress: Through an internal assessment of the core foundations: rhythmic accuracy, focus, and posture.
What the student receives (Recognition): Parents receive the first Artistic Progress Report™, providing clear feedback and future objectives. Following the student’s first live classroom performance, held approximately three months into the school year, the student receives the Level I Certificate – Start, recognising their first achievements.

For many children, this is the moment they discover that they are capable of more than they thought.

After 6 Months: Independence & Managing Performance Emotions

What they learn: Students become more independent in their practice. They begin reading simple sheet music, learn to identify and correct some of their own technical mistakes, and perform for a small audience for the second time.
How we measure progress: Through participation in our Studio Sessions™, held three times a year. We assess the student’s ability to perform one or two complete pieces from memory while learning to manage the emotions that come with performing in front of an audience.
What the student receives (Recognition): In addition to the applause received during their second live session, students receive a Comparative Video Edit (“First Lesson vs. Performance”), allowing them to see their own progress, as well as the Level II Certificate.

Those first rounds of applause can completely transform a child’s relationship with the stage and with their own emotions.

After 1 Year: Stage Experience & Artistic Expression

What they learn: Students master a diverse repertoire, develop a deeper understanding of musical expression, and learn to interact naturally with an audience.
How we measure progress: Through performances at Duetto Live™ events — our winter and summer concerts. We assess confidence and consistency under professional stage lighting, on a large stage, accompanied by live musicians, whether a full band or piano.
What the student receives (Recognition): A complete, transformative stage experience. Students receive professional photography and video footage for their artistic portfolio, goodie bags and prizes, as well as the Duetto Annual Performance Certificate, presented to them on stage.

At this point, music becomes part of the student’s identity, and the stage begins to feel exciting rather than intimidating.

After 2 Years: Consolidation & Artistic Maturity

What they learn: During the second year, the focus shifts from acquiring skills to refining them. Students consolidate their technique, develop greater artistic maturity, and begin to build their own individual performance identity.
How we measure progress: The assessment milestones remain consistent, while expectations progressively increase. We look for more mature and expressive performances, as well as greater independence in both individual practice and stage performance.
What the student receives (Recognition): In addition to an updated Artistic Portfolio and Artistic Progress Report™, students receive the Level III Certificate – Consolidation, recognising the development of their skills and growing artistic maturity.

At this stage, music is no longer simply an extracurricular activity. It becomes part of the student’s identity. Technique becomes stronger, confidence grows, and every stage appearance is approached with greater ease, maturity, and expression.

After 3 Years: Mastery & Artistic Identity

What they learn: Students begin to think and perform like artists. They can approach more complex scores, develop their own performance style, and build the stamina required to sustain a full recital.
How we measure progress: Assessment takes place at a pre-professional standard. Under the direct guidance and expertise of Cristina Radu, progress is measured against rigorous academic and institutional standards, including preparation for admission to specialised music high schools and universities where appropriate.
What the student receives (Recognition): The title of Duetto Artist – Advanced Level, a mature artistic portfolio documenting their stage experience, official recommendations from the school, and opportunities to take on musical leadership roles, such as featured moments during concerts.

Beyond technical ability, the most important result is the development of a young person who trusts their own voice and abilities.

After 4 Years: Excellence & Artistic Performance

What they learn:

Students perform complex repertoire with confidence and ease, demonstrate artistic independence, and further develop their own interpretative identity. They are prepared to perform recitals, participate in competitions or examinations, and collaborate within professional artistic environments.

How we measure progress:

Assessment is aligned with standards approaching the pre-professional level. We evaluate technical consistency, expressiveness, artistic maturity, stage stamina, and the ability to adapt performances to different musical contexts.

For students preparing for admission to specialised institutions, assessments are aligned with the requirements and expectations of professional examination panels.

What the student receives (Recognition):

Students receive the Duetto Distinction for Artistic Excellence, together with a comprehensive artistic portfolio, official recommendations from the school, and priority access to special projects, collaborations, and performance opportunities offered by Duetto.

After four years of consistent study, students approach music with maturity and responsibility. Whether they choose to pursue performance at a higher level or keep music as a lifelong passion, they leave this stage with a solid foundation, authentic stage experience, and the confidence to make their voice heard.

Study Programmes

Singing (Voice): Healthy vocal technique, breathing, diction, expression, stage presence, and discovering one’s individual voice.
Piano: Piano technique, sight-reading, accompaniment, and interpretation.
Music Theory: Essential theoretical foundations for understanding and studying music.
Young Voices (Choir & Vocal Group): Teamwork, vocal harmony, ear training, and integrated stage experience.

Duetto Artistic Portfolio™ & Duetto Community

We believe an artist’s development continues beyond the lesson itself. That is why all our programmes include a range of tools designed to support independent practice, motivation, and ongoing communication between teachers, students, and families.

All our students benefit from a premium set of learning resources and a genuine connection to the artistic world, designed to support continuous study and make progress visible — at no additional cost:

Artistic Progress Report™: Every three months, students receive a clear assessment of their technical, rhythmic, and expressive development, together with objectives for the next stage.
Duetto Digital Library: Exclusive access to backing tracks, sheet music, video exercises, and PDF resources for home practice.
Playlist of the Month: Carefully curated musical recommendations designed to broaden students’ musical taste and knowledge.
Monthly Video by Cristina Radu: A short monthly video featuring essential advice and recommendations on performance emotions, repertoire, and rehearsal techniques.
Progress Certificate: Level-based certificates (I, II, III) recognising each stage of development.
Duetto Community: Exclusive discounts on specialised workshops and access to our private community for announcements and artistic inspiration.

Exclusive Duetto Experiences

Some of the most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom. Duetto students have the opportunity to discover the world of music from behind the scenes, gaining first-hand insight into how a professional performance comes together.

These experiences complement their artistic development and provide an authentic perspective on the life of a performing musician.

Concert Discounts: Students receive exclusive discounts of 20–50% on tickets to Cristina Radu Ensemble concerts.
Access to Cristina Radu Ensemble Rehearsals & Soundchecks: A unique opportunity for students to attend soundchecks and full concert rehearsals. They see first-hand how stage blocking is managed, how a show’s sequence is structured, and how musicians communicate with one another — a lesson in professionalism that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Opportunity to Open a Cristina Radu Ensemble Concert: Students who demonstrate exceptional progress may be selected for a special performance opportunity. Opening a Cristina Radu Ensemble concert and performing alongside the ensemble gives them valuable professional stage experience and exceptional video material for their artistic portfolio.
Opportunity to Perform Alongside Cristina Radu Ensemble: Selected students may perform with the ensemble as part of carefully designed concept concerts.
Q&A Sessions with Guest Artists: After selected concerts, we reserve 15 minutes exclusively for Duetto students attending the event. They can meet the artists backstage and ask questions directly about performance, preparation, stage experience, and professional life as a musician.

Duetto Sessions™ (Class Auditions – 3 Times/Year)

At Duetto, we believe that an artist’s development does not end when the lesson is over. That is why, throughout the year, we organize Duetto Sessions™ – three special gatherings dedicated to inspiration, learning, and community. These are class auditions held in front of an audience, in a warm and encouraging environment, where students have the opportunity to share the results of their work with their families.

These sessions are a natural part of the educational journey and help students develop confidence, expressiveness, and the joy of performing in front of an audience before moving on to the larger-scale stage experiences offered through Duetto Live™.

Participation in Duetto Sessions™ is included in all study programs and involves no additional costs.

During each session, students benefit from:

the opportunity to perform their prepared repertoire in a friendly and supportive environment;
constructive feedback from their teachers;
practical experience in managing emotions and developing stage presence;
the opportunity to observe and learn from their peers’ performances;
a new milestone in their Artistic Report™, highlighting their progress and the objectives for the next stage of development.

For many students, Duetto Sessions™ represent the first moment when they discover that emotions can become an ally and that applause is the result of consistent work.

Duetto Sessions™ Calendar 2026–2027

Session I: Saturday, November 28, 1:00 PM
Session II: Saturday, March 27, 1:00 PM
Session III: Saturday, June 5, 1:00 PM

The proposed dates for Duetto Sessions™ are currently tentative. In order to finalize the details and reserve the venue, we require your prior confirmation. Each audition requires a minimum of 4 participating students in order to take place under optimal conditions.

To ensure that every stage performance is prepared to the highest possible standard, please submit your participation confirmations for the major events of the school year by October 15, 2026.

We understand that children’s schedules and educational journeys can change throughout the year, so registrations may also be made at a later date. However, in order to maintain the artistic standards you have come to expect from us, new confirmations will only be accepted for concerts with at least three months of preparation time remaining, as this is the minimum period required to properly learn, develop, and refine the repertoire.

Duetto Projects™ – Intensive Artistic Experiences

In addition to their year-round educational journey, Duetto students have the opportunity to participate in Duetto Projects™ – artistic productions and themed projects held over defined periods of time, designed to provide authentic stage experiences and opportunities for accelerated development.

These projects are open both to Duetto students and to participants from outside the school, selected through an audition process.

Duetto members benefit from preferential participation conditions:

25% discount for students enrolled at Duetto Musical Class;
30% discount for siblings enrolled at the school.

Each project concludes with a performance in a concert hall, alongside professional musicians and the Duetto artistic team.

Project 1: The Sound of Music – Musical in Concert

Period: October 12 – December 3, 2026
Final Performance: December 5, 2026

Who is it for?
Children and teenagers aged 6–18 who are passionate about music, musical theatre, and stage performance, whether they are Duetto students or attend other music schools.

What are the objectives?

developing vocal technique and stage expressiveness;
gaining experience working as part of an artistic cast;
preparing a musical-in-concert production;
developing rehearsal discipline and collaboration within a professional production.

Project stages:

Stage I: Video Preselection – by September 15
(The preselection consists of submitting a video recording of a song of the participant’s choice to the school’s email address.)
Stage II: Live Casting – October 2
(For the live casting, participants will perform a song of their choice from “The Sound of Music” or another musical.)
Stage III: Intensive Rehearsals – October 12 – December 3
- two rehearsals per week (90 minutes);
- two dress rehearsals;
- live accompaniment.

The package includes:

group rehearsals (for principal roles, solo pieces are rehearsed during the individual lesson included in the student’s subscription);
live instrumental accompaniment;
artistic direction and show production;
professional photography and videography;
goodie bag;
participation in the concert.

Participation Fee: 2,500 RON for the entire program

Duetto Member Benefits:

25% discount for active members;
30% discount for siblings.

Project 2: Disney in Concert – A Musical Universe Inspired by Disney Stories

Period: January 11 – March 5, 2027
Final Concert: March 6, 2027

Who is it for?
Children and teenagers who love the Disney universe and would like to perform vocal or instrumental repertoire in a themed production.

What are the objectives?

developing musicality through Disney repertoire;
developing expressiveness;
becoming part of an artistic ensemble;
gaining stage experience in a professional concert setting.

Project stages:

Stage I: Video Preselection – by December 12
(The preselection consists of submitting a video recording of a song of the participant’s choice to the school’s email address.)
Stage II: Intensive Rehearsals – January 11 – March 5
- two rehearsals per week (90 minutes);
- two dress rehearsals;
- live accompaniment.

The package includes:

two 90-minute group sessions per week;
applied vocal and instrumental work based on the repertoire;
Disney repertoire;
two dress rehearsals;
live accompaniment;
professional photography and videography;
goodie bag;
participation in the concert.

Participation Fee: 2,500 RON for the entire program

Duetto Member Benefits:

25% discount for active members;
30% discount for siblings.

The proposed dates for Duetto Projects™ are currently tentative. In order to finalize the details and reserve the venue, we require your prior confirmation. Each project requires a minimum of 10 participating students in order to take place under optimal conditions.

To ensure that every stage performance is prepared to the highest possible standard, please submit your participation confirmations for the major events of the school year by October 15, 2026.

Why Do We Organize Duetto Projects™?

We believe that some of the most valuable lessons are learned when a student works towards a concrete artistic goal. Rehearsals, collaboration with others, responsibility towards the ensemble, and the excitement of performing transform these projects into intensive educational experiences that complement the year-round study program.

The Duetto Live™ Stage Experience

For us, the stage is not simply a reward at the end of the year. It is the classroom where every lesson begins to make sense. It is where emotions are transformed into confidence and study becomes experience.

At Duetto, concerts are not simply school recitals, but fully conceived artistic productions. They are complex, carefully directed performances designed to give students the unique and exhilarating experience of performing on a professional stage.

The stage experience includes:

Professional Stage and Lighting:
Students perform on a large stage in a real performance venue in Bucharest, supported by professional lighting and sound production designed to enhance their stage presence.
Live Instrumental Accompaniment:
This is the moment when music truly comes to life. Students have the rare opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians – either with piano accompaniment or with a full live band (piano, bass, drums, and guitar) – learning what real musical interaction and harmony on stage truly mean.
Premium Memories and Portfolio:
Each participant receives the complete experience of a professional artist, including professional photography and videography of their performance, edited photo and video materials, goodie bags, and surprise prizes. In addition, our performances may offer participants the opportunity to benefit from proceeds generated through ticket sales.

Major Annual Productions

This school year features two major conceptual events:

December 12, 2026 – Christmas Oldies – Cristina Radu Ensemble and Duetto
A full-scale performance on a large stage, featuring professional lighting and ticket sales, dedicated to the warm atmosphere of classic winter repertoire.
May 29, 2027 – Pop & Jazz Essentials
A complex gala accompanied by a full live band, showcasing pop, jazz, and contemporary musical styles.

Duetto Live™ Artistic Production Contribution

In order to organize these events to exceptional standards – including venue rental, equipment, stage design, artistic direction, two mandatory dress rehearsals per concert, and a dedicated technical team – the artistic production contribution is:

160 RON/month for both annual concerts
or
1,440 RON, paid in full within the first three months of the school year.

There is also the option to participate in only one concert:

110 RON/month
or
990 RON, paid in full.

Participation in Duetto Live™ is not mandatory, but it is an essential and integral component of each student’s artistic and emotional development and of building their self-confidence.

The proposed dates for Duetto Live™ concerts are currently tentative. In order to finalize the details and reserve the venue, we require your prior confirmation. Each event requires a minimum of 10 participating students in order to take place under optimal conditions.

To ensure that every stage performance is prepared to the highest possible standard, please submit your participation confirmations for the major events of the school year by October 15, 2026.