“TWIN GODDESSES OF THE FLUTE”

ZAWA! is the longest-standing professional flute duo of our time. Musical soulmates Jill Felber and Claudia Anderson  merged artistic forces in 1997 and, from their first commission onwards, expanded the literature, power, and expressive range of two flutes together over 25 years.  running the edgE by Jennifer Higdon (commissioned in 1997) burst open the expressive possibilities of two flutes together and laid the foundation for ZAWA!’s commitment to expand this repertoire and to reflect a wealth of contemporary styles.  Their arrangements of Claudio Monteverdi and Jules Mouquet exhibit sheer beauty of sound and breathtaking lyricism at the other end of the expressive spectrum.  Collectively, ZAWA!’s diverse repertoire displays the drama, versatility and humor they are known for, all delivered with high-spirited energy and impact. 

ZAWA!’s focus on the environment resulted in a major double concerto in 2014 by Cynthia Folio, Winds for Change.  This 14-minute work, a meditation on the effects of climate change, began scored for string orchestra, percussion, and electronics. It evolved over the next years to its present form, with 9 flutes replacing the strings. ZAWA! and colleague Angeleita Floyd (as conductor) have been touring with this version since 2017, involving members of major flute studios around the country that comprise the flute orchestra and often include professional and high-level amateurs in the community. This inclusive approach - perfectly suited to regional, national and international flute society festivals - has captured the essence of collaborative performance at its most rewarding for all.

ZAWA! has appeared at New York's Carnegie Hall, London's Wigmore Hall, and colleges and universities nationwide. Recognized as a unique and brilliant partnership, they have been guest artists at national and international flute festivals and have enjoyed headliner performances spanning 2001 to 2023 at the National Flute Association annual conventions. In August of 2024 they will premiere a new work commissioned by jazz flutist Ali Ryerson at the NFA Convention in San Antonio.  In December of 2023, ZAWA! released their album ZAWA! Remix to all major streaming services.

CLAUDIA ANDERSON is known for her originality and brilliance as a solo and chamber music performer across the U.S. She is a founding member of the innovative flute duo ZAWA! (with Jill Felber), the summer flute intensive Passion Flute: Foundations for Creative Performing, and is principal flute with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls (IA) Symphony. Currently flute faculty and Head of Program Innovation at Rocky Ridge Music’s summer College Intensive program. She has taught at the Universities of Iowa and Northern Iowa, Ithaca College and the University of California at Santa Barbara. In May 2025 she retired from a long tenure on the music faculty at Grinnell College. Claudia’s solo project, Glass Ceilings, commissioned several high-profile women composers and flutists to write pieces for flute(s) solo and electronic media, with its originating theme of gender inequality expanded to embrace the effects of Covid-19 and racial tensions of 2020. Anderson’s own work Glass Ceilings won the NFA’s Newly Published Music Competition in 2023. She has recorded for Centaur Records, CRI, Zawa!music, and cdbaby.  Claudia and Jill Felber’s duo ZAWA! is the longest-standing professional flute duo of our time. Their commissions, arrangements, and programs with repertoire ever pushing boundaries have led to ZAWA! Reimagined, a new program of works for two flutes and electronic soundtracks that has been touring the country since 2025.

Claudia is a Miyazawa Artist, performing on their 50th anniversary model. She is also a member of the Pettry Piccolo Artist family, performing on a Pettry Prestige piccolo.

JILL FELBER, flutist, has been hailed for her "beautifully finished performances" by The Detroit News and has been praised by Musical America for her "handsome performance." "Played with flair" (The Los Angeles Times), "the incredible flutist…the dazzling flutist…the radiant flutist Jill Felber" (The Independent, Santa Barbara), is known to excite audiences everywhere. Jill Felber has performed solo recitals, chamber music, and concertos on five continents and has held residencies in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Great Britain and the United States. A tireless promoter of new music, Ms. Felber has inspired many composers to write solo, concerto and chamber works for her and is currently engaged in several commissioning projects. She has premiered over six hundred works for the flute and has released world premiere recordings for Centaur Records, CRI, Neuma Records and Zawa!music. Active in the National Flute Association, Ms. Felber has served as a member of its Board of Directors and served as the 1993 Program Chair for the Boston flute convention. Holding degrees from University of Michigan and Bowling Green State University, Ms. Felber has taught on the faculties of Ohio University, Capital University, and Wright State University. She is currently Professor Emerita of Flute at the University of California, Santa Barbara,  tours with the innovative flute duo ZAWA! and as recitalist with pianist Dianne Frazer.  Her teachers include Keith Bryan, Judith Bentley and Samuel Baron.

WHAT THE WORLD SAYS ABOUT ZAWA!

 “Electrifying, mesmerizing”    “Captivating”   “A friendship that informs and enhances  every note they play”    “Spellbinding”  

  “Musicians not only refined but also full of fun”      “ The incredible flute duo ZAWA!”     “A life-changing experience”