Soprano Norma L. Faison Mayer and flutist Richard Mayer started out by performing the few pieces expressly written for this seldom-heard combination. As their collaboration grew, they had to seek out and sometimes arrange new musical sources to add to their repertoire, which resulted in the unique blend of music that they now perform in concert -- songs, spirituals, arias, and instrumental pieces.
They performed a series of enthusiastically received concerts in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1992, where they were invited to play at the Russian Composer's Union and the Capella concert hall. They returned to St. Petersburg in 1997 with a series of three concerts, and have since toured Estonia in 2004 and 2008, France in 1998, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009, and Germany in 2009.
Soprano Norma L. Faison Mayer has performed extensively in recitals and operas throughout the United States and Europe. She has received numerous vocal awards, including the Margarette McGammon Award of Vocal Excellence, finalist of the International Puccini Vocal Competition, winner of the National Society of Arts and Letters Vocal Competition, winner of numerous National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions, and finalist of the Tuesday Music Club Vocal Competition.
Flutist Richard Mayer's performances include appearances in the United States, Russia, and Western Europe. He has been a soloist in such diverse settings as Austin's Top of the Mark jazz club, the Kerrville Folk Festival, and Jessen Recital Hall at the University of Texas.