Kaila Flexer is a violinist, composer and music educator. She is half of the duo Teslim (with Gari Hegedus), who perform Sephardic, Greek, Turkish and original music. Teslim will release their (self-titled) debut CD in December 2008. Flexer is Artistic Director of Pomegranates and Figs: A Feast of Jewish Music, which is being presented by Cal Performances on December 20, 2008 in Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley California). She is also Artistic Director of Worldview Cultural Performances, an Oakland-based non-profit arts organization under whose auspices, Flexer founded and produced Klezmer Mania!, a much-loved annual Bay Area Jewish music event for over 10 years (1989-2002). She has been at the helm of bands such as Third Ear, Next Village and Kaila Flexer's Fieldharmonik, ensembles that feature her original material. As a composer, her work reflects her deep respect for folk music, while showcasing her ability to forge new and expansive musical landscapes. She has performed both nationally internationally with her own ensembles as well as with groups including The Hollis Taylor-Kaila Flexer Duo, The Flexer-Marshall Duo (with ex-husband Mike Marshall), Club Foot Orchestra, The Composer's Cafeteria, The Bay Area Jazz Composer's Orchestra and KITKA (Bulgarian Women's Vocal Ensemble). She has recorded two CD's of original music for Compass Records (Nashville) to critical acclaim as well as the recently-released self-produced Teslim recording. In addition to performing, Flexer teaches violin, composition and a variety of workshops around the country. Kaila has a thriving studio in Oakland, California where she lives with her nine-year-old daughter, who is a budding fiddler, ballerina and crafts-girl.  

The following organizations have awarded Flexer with Commissions: Creative Work Fund for Xylem Folkestra Project (with the Crowden School), American Composers Forum for Project Tarab, City of Oakland Individual Artist Grants for Ladder of Gold with Teslim (2007) and Project Tarab (2008). 

Gari Hegedus plays violin and viola and variety of stringed instruments from Greece and Turkey including lauoto, oud, saz and hand drums. In addition to playing in the duo Teslim with violinist Kaila Flexer, he performs with world music group Stellamara and Persian vocalist Hamed Nikpay. He has studied with oud master Naseer Shamma and has recorded and performed with Ross Daly. He has toured with the Mevlevi Dervish (Sufi) Order of America and continues to participate in Turkish ceremonial and devotional gatherings around the country.