Natalie Haas profile picture

Natalie Haas

Releasing the cello from its orchestral shackles

About Me

Vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas is already a seasoned performer, recording artist, and teacher. She has joined master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for festival and concert appearances in Scotland, Spain, France, and throughout the U.S., including Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. "People may be familiar with the gorgeous, melodic cello sound," says Fraser, "but they're surprised to learn that the cello used to comprise the rhythm section in Scottish dance bands. Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes. We can "duck and dive" around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, and improvise on each other's rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it's a joy to play with her!"A recent graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City, Natalie discovered the cello at age nine. In addition to having extensive classical music training, she is accomplished in a broad array of fiddle genres. Her musical journey found purpose when she fell in love with Celtic music at the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School at age 11. Inspired and encouraged by director Fraser, she began to investigate the cello's potential for rhythmic accompaniment to fiddle tunes. Her and Fraser's new duo release, Fire & Grace, was awarded the Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004.A California native, Natalie has toured extensively with Mark O'Connor as a member of his Appalachia Waltz Trio. The trio released a live CD, Crossing Bridges, to rave reviews in November 2004. She and O'Connor premiered his double concerto for violin and cello, "For The Heroes," with the Grand Rapids, East Texas, and San Diego Symphonies. Natalie has also toured and recorded with fiddler Natalie MacMaster. She teaches privately, in a workshop setting, at various fiddle camps, and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/27/2006
Band Website: nataliehaas.com
Band Members: Alasdair Fraser (fiddle), Natalie Haas (cello)
Influences: Alasdair Fraser, Bruce Molsky, Darol Anger, Martin Hayes, Natalie MacMaster, Annbjorg Lien, Liz Carroll, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, Vasen, Rushad Eggleston, Jordi Savall, Bobby McFerrin, Kepa Junkera
Record Label: Culburnie
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

CRISOL DE CUERDA TRADICIONAL -- Alasdair Fraser’s first ever fiddle camp in Spain!

Crisol de Cuerda  new traditional fiddle camp to be held in the Pyrenees of northern Spain and directed by Scottish Fiddler Alasdair FraserDates - 13th to the 19th of July 2008 Teachers: ALASDAIR FRA...
Posted by Natalie Haas on Mon, 05 May 2008 12:27:00 PST