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AlmaNova is a talented, classically trained flute and guitar duo presenting an eclectic program of music from all over the world. Each of these diverse musicians has been trained in the classical tradition while exploring other types of music. This great love of all musical genres shines through to their audience by way of dynamic performances and mesmerizing stage presence. AlmaNova has traveled all over the world playing their unique blend of music from the Balkans, Spain, Latin America, and the British Isles.
The AlmaNova Duo began their career in France while studying at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. Since then they have had the privilege to perform throughout Europe and the North America including Paris’s Theatre de Naples, the Tijuana International Guitar Festival, the Juan Serrano International Guitar Festival, and the Dom Armije in Sarajevo, Bosnia. In February 2006, the duo performed alongside David Starobin at the International Giuliani Festival as a featured chamber ensemble. They were featured artists in the USC World Music Festival at Bovard Hall in Los Angeles, and the International Festival of World Music in Claremont, California. In August 2006, they were filmed for a public television while playing at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, California.
AlmaNova has also been featured in many televised specials in Europe including Hayat Station, Studio 99, BHTV, and the National Broadcasting Station of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The duo has been coached by some of the best musicians in the world of classical music including Pepe Romero, Scott Tennant, Jim Walker and John Mills.
In October 2006, AlmaNova released their first CD recording featuring original works by Mr. Imamovic inspired by the sounds and folk melodies of his native Bosnia.
 Jessica Pierce began her studies in Northern California with Isabelle Chapuis and Mimi Carlson. Jessica attended Santa Clara University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in both music and French. During her time there, Jessica was a soloist with the Santa Clara Orchestra as well as the Saratoga Symphony. She was accepted into the prestigious Academie Internationale d'Ete de Nice where she studied with Philippe Bernold, Christian Larde and Claude Bolling. Her studies then brought her to Paris where she attended the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with Pierre-Yves Artaud.
Jessica graduated the conservatory with honors both in flute performance and chamber music. While in Paris she began a guitar and flute duo with Bosnian guitarist, Almer Imamovic. The duo has had many concerts together around the world, particularly in Sarajevo at the Dom Armije and in Paris at the Theatre de Naples. The duo has also performed at the Tijuana International Guitar Festival in 2004 in Mexico and the Cardiff International Center of Culture in Wales. Jessica is currently a student of Jim Walker at the University of Southern California where she has completed a Master's Degree in Flute Performance and is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts.
While at USC, Jessica has performed with Yo Yo Ma, Eleonore Schoenfeld, Peter Marsh, Gary Glaze, and Kevin Fitzgerald and has performed under the baton of Sergi Commissiona, Jorge Mester, John Barnett, Yerhuda Gilad, and Donald Crockett. Almer and Jessica are currently working on their first duo recording together where they will be playing new works for flute and guitar composed or arranged by USC faculty, students, and alumni.
 Bosnian guitarist, Almer Imamovic, began playing at the age of seven under the guidance of the respected teacher of the Balkan region, Mila Rakanovic. Even during the war that ravished his country in the 1990’s, Almer spent his time working as a director of music production. In June, 1997, he had the great honor of playing with the London Mozart Players where he performed selections of Vivaldi in the Bosnian National Theartre. Almer then was awarded a grant to continue his studies at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with Rafael Andia where he received a diploma for guitar and chamber music studies. While in France, Almer participated in the International Day of Culture in Stockholm where he was asked to perform in Nobel Hall. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with John Mills where he was awarded a teaching assistantship. During his time in Wales, he won the John Mills Prize and had very successful performances at Bolivar Hall and the Queen Alexander House in London.
Almer is currently a graduate student at the University of Southern California studying with Scott Tennant. In October 2004, Almer was honored to perform with the Sarajevo Philharmonic and the Dayton Symphony under Maestro Neal Gittleman in a special concert for the Bosnian leader, President Sulejman Tihic. In addition to these important solo engagements, Almer also is very involved in the promotion of world music and is a highly sought-after studio musician.
In April 2005, Almer was the 1st place winner of the Fresno International Guitar Competition. He is working with the popular Bosnian star, Al’Dino, to record several traditional Bosnian sevdalinkas (folk songs) for two guitars and voice.
In The fall of 2004, he was awarded an Arts Grant to record a CD of new music for flute and guitar with flutist, Jessica Pierce due next spring. The duo has had many successful concerts including engagements in Paris’s Theatre de Naples, Tijuana International Guitar Festival, and most recently, Sarajevo’s Dom Armije. In February 2006, the duo will be performed alongside David Starobin at the International Giuliani Festival as a featured chamber ensemble. In April 2007, Almer is invited to perform again with the Dayton Philharmonic and Maestro Gittleman Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for a two-night engagement in Ohio.
In October 2006, Alma Nova, Mr. Imamovic’s duo with flutist Jessica Pierce, released their first CD including ten new, originals works composed by Mr. Imamovic
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