Biography:

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Leonard Bernstein described Paul Woodiel as "a first-class performer who combines spirituality with intellect". A busy New York - based purveyor of violin and fiddle music, his broad stylistic compass includes the dance fiddle traditions of America and the British Isles, ragtime and jazz, and the music of Charles Ives. Mr. Woodiel has presented recitals at the 92nd St. Y, Wesleyan University, Caramoor, Miller Theater, Yale University, and the New York Festival of Song at Carnegie Hall, and has appeared as soloist at festivals from Bard College to Moab, Utah.

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A veteran of dozens of Broadway orchestras, Mr. Woodiel has completed a run as concertmaster of Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple, and is looking forward to the revival of West Side Story. Previous shows include hits such as Ragtime, and the underappreciated masterwork Caroline, or Change.

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A three-time New England Fiddle Contest champion in his hometown, Hartford, CT, he is a widely respected exponent of the fiddle traditions of New England. In this vein, he performs across the US and abroad with the Scottish dance band Local Hero.

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Other engagements have included performances and recordings with Steve Reich, piano wizards Dick Hyman and Neely Bruce, Marin Alsop's Concordia, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, American Composers Orchestra and the Grammy Awards Orchestra.

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Mr. Woodiel's proudest achievements to date are his son Carter, 12, and daughter Tennessee, 9.

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