By day, Josue Cruz and Laura Askins are school teachers who try to inspire creativity in their students.

By night, they practice what they preach, performing as the indie-rock duo Calahoney.

The pair met seven years ago, fell in love, married and have been making music together ever since.

On Friday, Calahoney performs at Moonchine Asian Bistro, 7100 Biscayne Blvd.

Cruz is an English teacher at MAST Academy on the Rickenbacker Causeway. Askins is an art teacher at Shenandoah Middle's museum magnet program.

``We are still in the creative world,'' Askins said. ``We are still in the same genre, and we are able to juggle both worlds.''

Barefoot, in jeans and a simple beige buttoned-up shirt, Cruz, 33, picks up his honey brown guitar and begins to play in the living of the couple's Miami home.

Next to him on the comfy light brown couch, in front of a quaint fireplace, sits Askins, 31. She is also barefoot, sitting with her legs crossed, left elbow resting on the back of the sofa as she prepares to sing Hell Don't Want Us Anymore, written by Cruz.

``The music is a mix between the blues, rock and alternative country,'' Cruz said. ``It has a little more bite than folk.''

They met in 2003 at a Rookie Teacher of the Year award ceremony, where they were honored along with other finalists from across the county.

Three years later they married and started working on music together as Calahoney. The debated several names before settling on Calahoney -- mostly because a Google search didn't turn up any other bands by the same name.

Askins was reluctant to sing at first, but after a year and half of persuasion from Cruz, she gave in.

``Three years ago, when we started playing guitar at the house, I began to learn about it,'' Askins said. ``Then I decided I would sing.''

Cruz and Askins work together on harmonies for each song. Askins does most of the vocals. Cruz also sings and writes.

``We tweak out the lyrics together,'' Cruz said.

``He's the mastermind,'' Askins said.

Calahoney also collaborates with other local artists.

Cruz and Askins learned to balance lesson plans and grading papers and art projects with their their passion for music.

``Eight-hour days and to come back four to five hours on the laptop writing and practicing is like having two full-time jobs,'' Cruz said.

Both were brought up around music. Askins grew up dancing through high school, where she was the drill team captain.

``My grandfather was an Irish tenor and he performed in Miami,'' said Askins, who graduated from Florida State.

Cruz used to perform in church plays as a kid and started playing music live when he was 16.

``My grandmother, Iluminada Santiago, sang typical Hispanic music, like Boleros,'' said Cruz, who graduated from Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Besides their families, they said they draw inspiration from across the musical spectrum.

``I'm still inspired by heavy rock music and hip-hop,'' Cruz said. They also are influenced by artists such as Norah Jones, Cowboy Junkies and 10,000 Maniacs.

Calahoney composed two albums, I Shine Not Burn and Slow Stride. It is currently recording a third.

The records are produced by couple's company, TRUE, named after Askins' musical grandfather, True Askins.

Calahoney's summer tour took it through the east coast of the United States, as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland.

``It felt unique and free,'' Askins said. ``If you would have asked me two years ago if I would go on tour, I would have said no.''

They hope to one day get a recording contract.

``If we would be given the chance, we would take the jump,'' Askins said.

But even though they're hopeful for a big break, they said they value their roles as educators.

``I love it, even the hard parts of teaching,'' Askins said.

Her husband agreed.

``Teaching and music both touch people's lives,'' Cruz said. ``But it's a totally different way of touching people's lives.''

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