Winners of the International Chamber Music Competition for Flute & Guitar in Spain (2023), Meraki Duo have spent the past decade performing extensively with programmes which offer a distinctively diverse pairing of flute and guitar. In Jully 2025, Meraki Duo recorded their debut album on Delphian Records for release in September 2026. In their recitals, flautist Meera Maharaj extends the expressive range of the duo by featuring the alto flute in works such as songs by William Grant Still and Takemitsus Toward The Sea. Their programmes uniquely incorporate a breadth of arrangements by James Girling, of music spanning from Messiaens wordless songs to Burt Bacharach and Hermeto Pascoal. Premired in 2020 at 1901 Arts Club in London, Meraki Duos first substantial commission Norte, Rio Preto, by Brazilian composer Marino Arcaro, was recorded at Goldsmiths Studios and released in 2024.
Meera Maharaj and James Girling both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music, where they quickly connected through a shared passion for chamber music, jazz, Latin American styles, and contemporary works. Formed in 2013, Meraki Duo have since performed at venues such as Wigmore Hall and Kings Place, and festivals including Buxton International Festival, Swaledale Festival and London Guitar Festival. Meraki Duo were selected onto International Guitar Foundations Young Artist Platform for 2020. They were finalists in the Royal Over-Seas League Competition (Mixed Ensembles) in 2019, and advanced to the final rounds of Ligita 2025 competition in Lichtenstein.
As Live Music Now artists since 2018, Meraki Duo also have vast experience bringing performances into the wider community. They are specially trained to give interactive concerts in schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and in care homes.