ATLANTA — What began as a simple invitation — “Let’s play together” — has evolved into one of the School of Music’s most exciting new faculty collaborations.
In spring 2025, flutist Jessica Petrasek, oboist Lara Saville Dahl and collaborative pianist Miya Suen joined forces for a Georgia State faculty recital. The musical chemistry was immediate.
“We had such a great time,” Dahl recalled. “We thought — we should form a trio.”
That early collaboration quickly revealed something deeper than musical compatibility. The trio found they shared not only a musical aesthetic, but a strong personal connection.
“What is most special is the friendship between the three of us,” Petrasek said. “We played together once and immediately realized we needed to do this all the time. The chemistry was just there.”
They moved quickly. A name. Professional photos. A clear artistic identity. Hera Trio — named for the Greek goddess and echoing the feminine form of “hero” — was born.
For Suen, the ensemble works because the three musicians share similar artistic priorities and professional values.
“I think the three of us all have the same aesthetics and the same goals,” Suen said. “We are reliable, punctual and ambitious. These are the cornerstones that Hera Trio is built on. Lara and Jessica are not only my partners in Hera Trio but, most importantly, they are also my lifelong friends.”
Now recognized as a new faculty ensemble at Georgia State University’s School of Music, Hera Trio has built its foundation around a focused artistic mission: Amplifying women’s voices through commissioning, recording and performing new works.
A Mission With Momentum
Hera Trio’s debut season has already included the world premiere of “Midsummer Music” by Nick Demos in Kopleff Recital Hall, as well as performances at Atlanta’s SoundNOW Festival.
As the trio continued performing, their artistic direction sharpened. They quickly identified a shared interest in expanding the chamber music repertoire while highlighting works by women composers.
“We really want to amplify women’s voices and commission new works,” Petrasek said. “There are so many incredible composers writing today, and we want to help bring that music to audiences while expanding the repertoire for our instruments.”
Their upcoming programming reflects that commitment. This spring, the trio will perform “Lara,” a commissioned work by composer Nicole Chamberlain, along with a new work by composer Alice Hong commissioned by Petrasek. Together, these projects contribute to a growing body of repertoire for flute, oboe and piano.
The ensemble will also perform education concerts this April in partnership with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families, introducing young audiences across the region to chamber music.
For Dahl, whose career includes performances with the Atlanta, Utah and Phoenix symphonies and international teaching engagements in China, chamber music remains one of the most rewarding artistic collaborations.
“I love to play chamber music, especially with flute and piano,” she said. “There’s something intimate and electric about that blend of colors. When it works, it feels alive.”
Looking Ahead
Hera Trio is also exploring a larger initiative that could expand its work beyond the concert hall.
The ensemble recently submitted a Tier 3 Faculty Internal Grant proposal titled “Hera Trio: Amplifying Women’s Voices.” If funded, the project would support commissioning four new works by women composers, professionally recording a full-length album through Georgia State’s MTM Records studio and promoting the repertoire more broadly.
The proposed commissions include works by Alyssa Morris, Nicole Chamberlain, Cherise Leiter and Alice Hong.
The project could potentially culminate in a summer 2027 tour in Beijing and Tianjin, including performances, masterclasses and collaborations with institutions such as Tianjin Juilliard and Tianjin Conservatory.
Beyond artistic impact, the initiative would also integrate Georgia State students into the recording process, providing hands-on professional experience in production, engineering and contemporary performance practice.