Lawler + Fadoul
The engaging and illuminating duo of Zara Lawler, flutist, and Paul J. Fadoul, marimbist, hailed as “a great treat” (Classical WETA, Washington, DC) offers audiences an unexpected mélange of classical virtuosity, lively commentary, theatrical flair and a small dose of indie rock sensibility. The duo’s repertoire ranges from delightful arrangements of classics to newly written pieces for their unusual instrumentation, and even includes a few one-act plays. They released their critically acclaimed debut album, Prelude Cocktail, in 2013.

The duo has a long history of collaboration, both as Lawler + Fadoul, and previously, as members of the innovative ensemble Tales & Scales. Since 2003, Lawler + Fadoul have performed together in many of the country’s most prestigious venues, including the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, the Cerritos Center, the Kravis Center, Trinity Wall Street, Vermont’s Yellow Barn, and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. They made their Canadian debut in 2013, presented by the Edmonton Recital Society.

Lawler + Fadoul are dedicated to increasing the repertoire for the their unique instrumentation. Their ongoing Gronica Project has begun with the duo’s own transcriptions of works by Bach, Chopin, Shostakovich, Debussy, Gershwin and others. Also as part of the Gronica Project, they have commissioned new preludes by American composers Katherine Hoover and Roshanne Etezady. These 38 new works for flute (and piccolo and alto flute) and marimba (and vibraphone) were all recorded on the duo’s first album, Prelude Cocktail, and represent a new body of work for their instrument combination. Lawler + Fadoul will be publishing these new works in coming years.

Dedicated and inspiring educators, Lawler + Fadoul are an In-School Ensemble for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. On behalf of the NSO, the duo creates interactive concerts for children from pre-K thru 6th grade, and performs in public schools throughout the DC metro area. In 2013, they had a full week performing Break it Down!, their show on how instruments and music come apart and can be put back together, at the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater.