Mientka Duo

The Mientka Duo was a musical act, consisting of husband and wife Tyme (pronounced Tim), a cellist[1] and Kathryn Mientka, a pianist.[1]

The duo formed in 1979[2] or 1983,[3] performing initially in the United States,[2] and then in Germany for about eight years,[4] before moving back to the U.S.[4] by 1990.[2] They performed classical, Celtic, Broadway standards, Spanish music and American music, to audiences in Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and the United States.[2][5] Both Tyme and Kathryn studied at Northwestern University and at the University of Southern California, and earned Master's degrees in music performance.[5][3]

Their concert at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. in 1994 was featured on NPR.[6] In 1995, The Mientka Duo, also known as Nova Mientka,[5] was the subject of an Emmy Award nominated documentary on PBS,[5][7] titled Almost Famous: On Tour With the Mientka Duo.[4]

The Mientka Duo received such awards as a special prize at the Concours International De Musique De Chambre in Paris.[3]

Tyme and Kathryn served as founders and directors of the Western Slope Chamber Music Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.[1][5][8] The duo, with Dave Alderdice and Audrey Solomon, were also members of the Colorado-based band Feast.[1] Tyme and two of their three children[4] also played in the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra.[6]

Tyme Mientka died of cancer on March 31, 2012, aged 55.[1] Kathryn has subsequently performed as a solo pianist.[3]