Scottish folk music duo play Carrboro ArtsCenter

Fiddler Alasdair Fraser and cellist Natalie Haas blend traditional styles of Scottish folk music with modern influences. The duo is coming to the Carrboro ArtsCenter tonight to share their music with the community.

“It’s traditional Scottish music with a modern twist,” Haas said.

Fraser, a native of Scotland, met Haas while she was a student at his Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle School. They later decided to tour together.

Art Menius, executive director of the ArtsCenter, said he is particularly proud to bring this concert to the community because of Fraser and Haas’s dedication to creativity and education.

“I’ve been following Fraser since the 1980s, even before he moved to the states, and especially when he created the fiddle school,” Menius said. “Haas is taking Alasdair’s music to a new place that excites me every time I hear it.”

Fraser said his focus in performing is on the connection music can bring to a community.

“Music is an important force in this world,” he said. “We gather around music as human beings, as a community. So, I feel privileged where I’m spending a life doing that.”

Fraser also said a key force in his performance is what Haas brings to the table with her cello playing.

“People think they’ve seen the cello, then they see Natalie play,” he said.

Haas was 11 years old when she first attended Fraser’s school — this is where her views on music and instruments changed.

“I could tell she was different and had a lot of talent. Her eyes went bright around the music,” Fraser said. “(Haas) is a power house. She has redefined the use of a cello and its music.”

Haas said she and Fraser play off of each other, which creates an incredible chemistry.

“We have equal footing and we’re switching roles all the time,” she said. “It’s an old combination coming from the 18th century, and we’re revitalizing it while exploring all its possibilities.”

This exploration has provided much of the means by which Fraser and Haas make a career out of their music.

“I get to invent different textures and play around with switching roles. It’s very satisfying artistically and creatively,” Haas said.

The duo’s tour this year will take them to areas such as British Columbia, Scotland, Ireland and the United States — but the duo said they enjoy coming to North Carolina.

“There are a lot of artists, colleges and universities interested in people and culture. As a Scotsman, I feel very at home at North Carolina,” Fraser said.

He said he’s enthusiastic about people coming out to the show, even if it’s their first exposure to Celtic folk music.

“Come and celebrate with us ’cause we’re always celebrating. It’s about the generosity of celebrating the force of music,” Fraser said.

“Guaranteed you’ll leave with a smile on your face.”

arts@dailytarheel.com