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Adam Young began playing the piano at the young age of 5. At 15, Adam began learning the Cape Breton style of piano accompaniment. He has taken lessons from several of the island’s best teachers, and has developed his own unique style of playing. Adam graduated from the University College of Cape Breton in 2002 with his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English literature and Celtic Studies. After completing studies at UCCB, he gathered with 6 of his friends to produce a successful musical and comedy revue, known as Cape Breton Lyrics & Laughter. In addition to performing with Lyrics & Laughter, Adam has accompanied some of Cape Breton’s best known names such as Howie MacDonald, Matt Minglewood, and Ashley MacIsaac. Shows: “Drivin’er!” August 9th. Allan Cameron of Mabou, recently graduated from Dalbrae Academy and plans to enter into the Coast Guard. Over the years, he has proven to be a fantastic traditional player with a variety of old tunes that stand true to his steady timing and great rhythm. Shows: “Celebrating Our Youth” August 2nd.
Angus MacLeod is a Gaelic singer from Goose Cove, Victoria County, Cape Breton. The North Shore area has long been noted for its milling frolics and milling singers. Angus’s parents were Gaelic speakers, and Angus returned to the language as an adult. He learned his Gaelic from his mother, local elders, as well as through classes and workshops. For the past several years he has been teaching and performing at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s and at events around the island. Shows: “The Piper’s Ceilidh” August 16th.
Anita MacDonald hails from Little Narrows, Cape Breton. She is an accomplished musician, dancer, and Gaelic singer. Anita began step-dancing at age 4. As a fiddler, her playing has a distinctive sound that comes from her own variations on tunes. She is the granddaughter of Little Narrows fiddler and guitarist Charlie Ellis and noted fiddle player and composer Raymond Ellis is her grand uncle. During her spare time Anita works with the cultural component of the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, Iona and Féis an Eilein, Christmas Island. Anita attends Cape Breton University and is taking a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Celtic Studies. Shows: Music Instructor, Feis Wokshop Instructor, “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th, “Celebrating Our Youth” August 2nd, “Bonfire” August 15th, “Family Squaredance” August 19th. Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcYdISVqjqI
Barry George is originally from the United States. However, his family roots are here in Christmas Island. Barry has been learning Gaelic for several years and is a favourite at the milling frolics! Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th. originally of Sydney, now residing in Beaver Cove, Cape Breton, began learning Gaelic at the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum as part of site animation. She has gone on to become a noted solo Gaelic singer, as well as a valuable addition to any milling frolic. Beth is a longtime member of Féis an Eilein, Christmas Island and often instructs Gaelic language and song classes. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor, TIP Beginner Gaelic Class Instructor, “Drivin’er!” August 9th.
The Boisdale Trio is composed of Janet Cameron, Paul Wukitsch, and Joe Peter MacLean. They have been performing together for over 20 years. Piano player Janet Cameron, originally of Mabou, moved to Boisdale and has been a community accompanist for many years now. Fiddle player Joe Peter MacLean is from the rear of Boisdale, McAdam’s Lake district. He is one of the few remaining Gaelic speaking fiddlers. Fiddler Paul Wukitsch from Shenacadie immigrated to Cape Breton from New York State in the late 1970s. Paul eventually met Joe Peter MacLean and Janet Cameron and together they form the popular group The Boisdale Trio. Often joining the group when they play is Janet’s brother, Father Francis Cameron who plays the fiddle. Shows: “The Fiddler’s Court” July 26th. Brenda Stubbert is from Point Aconi, Cape Breton. She grew up surrounded by music, as her household was frequented by many musical visitors, such as Winston Fitzgerald and Johnny Wilmot, to name a few. By age 5, Brenda had started step-dancing and playing the piano. When she was 8, she began learning the fiddle. Her style is strongly influenced by her family’s music, but also has elements from many of the great players she has been associated with. Brenda has toured throughout Ireland, Scotland, Mexico, and many cities in Canada and the USA. She is a composer, and has released 2 books of tunes. Brenda is always in demand for dances in Cape Breton, which are lively and well-attended. Shows: “Family Square-dance” August 20th
Carl MacKenzie is a regular performer at dances, concerts and workshops across Cape Breton and has also performed throughout Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the United States. A traditional fiddler from Washabuck, Victoria County, he has a vast repertoire, which he prefers to learn from books. Carl has composed over fifty tunes and his playing is expressive of the musical magic and soul that sets him apart from so many other musicians. Carl has released 11 CDs, the latest being Highland Classic (2007). Carl has performed at every Celtic Colours Festival and we are fortunate to have him back with us this year. Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th.
Christina MacNeil is from Grand Narrows, Cape Breton. She has been playing piano and step dancing since the age of nine. She has entertained at the Féis an Eilein for several years and represented Canada’s Scottish culture at the Fort Erie Friendship Festival between Canada and the United States in 2001. After spending several years in Halifax, Christina returns home to Cape Breton to take up her Scottish roots once again. She looks forward to immersing herself in music and Gaelic and celebrating Scottish traditions with the Féis. Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations.
Colin Grant's fiddle playing has inconspicuously stepped to the forefront of the East Coast traditional music scene and people are sitting up and taking notice. Although most at home with traditional Cape Breton fiddle music, his versatility as both a lead and side musician has given him experiences in a variety of traditional styles, in addition to folk, rock and country genres. Besides having received an ECMA nomination for Roots / Traditional Solo Album of the Year for his self-titled debut album, Grant has performed in the United States, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, China, and Indonesia and currently fronts the new Celtic funk/rock quintet Colin Grant Band. His second full-length album entitled "Fun for the Whole Family" has garnered him two ECMA nominations in 2011, and the award for 2010 Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year from Music Nova Scotia. Shows: “Drivin’er!” August 9th. Visit: http://colingrant.ca Dawn MacDonald-Gillis is a pianist, stepdancer and Gaelic speaker from New Waterford, with roots in Iona. She has and continues to perform extensively throughout Cape Breton and is often sought after to teach stepdancing and squaredancing workshops. She and her husband, Kyle Gillis, have been fantastic supporters and entertainers for Féis an Eilein over the years. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th.
Dawn and Margie Beaton were dancing at age 4 and started playing the fiddle a year later. Over the years they have performed at concerts, ceilidhs and festivals all around Cape Breton Island, mainland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Scotland, Ireland, France, USA, England, Brazil and China. In 2010, they won the ECMA for their debut album in the category of Roots/Traditional Album of the Year for Group/Duo and were nominated for the same category at Music Nova Scotia Week. They have been featured internationally on television, radio and video. Dawn and Margie have performed in numerous Celtic Colours shows over the years. In 2000, they were featured in Kinship at the new Strathspey Place in Mabou. Margie performed with the Celtic Crew at the Next Generation concert in 2003 and 2004 while Dawn performed at the World Premiere of the MacKinnon's Brook Suite, playing with the Nova Scotia Symphony. Together they have been regular performers at the Close to the Floor concerts during the past number of years. In 2008, Dawn and Margie were chosen as recipients of the Frank Sampson Award, given by the Celtic Colours Volunteer Drive'er Association to up-and-coming Celtic performers to help them record their first CD. "Taste of Gaelic" is a unique and traditional album that combines both traditional tunes and tunes composed by Dawn and Margie themselves. Shows: “Drivin’er!” August 9th. Visit: http://www.dawnandmargie.com
Born in Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Donnie Campbell has been singing to audiences for over 30 years, from small crowds at kitchen parties to standing room only concerts at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay. He has worked with Cape Breton musicians like Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac and Carl MacKenzie, and was one of the original members of the maritime Folk group - Miller's Jug. Donnie has also hosted a Cape Breton radio program called Celtic Serenade for almost 35 years which helped popularize the music of the Rankins, The Barra MacNeils and other great Cape Breton artists. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor. Visit: http://cjcbradio.com/programme.php?programmeID=73
Gaelic scholar and teacher Effie Rankin arrived in Nova Scotia in 1972 after obtaining an M.A. in Celtic Studies. She helped start Gaelic language programs in Cape Breton schools and has taught at many levels throughout Canada and the US. She taught third and fourth year courses in Gaelic at St. Francis Xavier University. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor. Evan Bonaparte comes from MacKinnon’s Hbr. Evan has a keen interest in guitar and Gaelic singing. Evan has been accompanying Anita for 6 years now. He has performed at various venues across Cape Breton and has maintained a traditional style of guitar playing. He just completed his first year at the Forestry College in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Shows: “Celebrating Our Youth” August 2nd, “Bonfire” August 15th. Primarily known as one of Cape Breton's finest traditional fiddlers, Glenn Graham is also a composer, songwriter, step-dancer, music instructor and published author. His music has been featured on the International TV hit series Dawson's Creek, multiple CD compilations, TV specials and independent films and DVD productions. With five recordings and multiple East Coast Music Award nominations to his credit, it's no surprise that Glenn Graham has created a stir on the music scene and is one of Cape Breton's most sought-after performers and music instructors. Glenn completed a thesis on the evolution of Cape Breton fiddling for his Masters in Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary's University. His book entitled The Cape Breton Fiddle: Making and Maintaining Tradition, was published by CBU Press and released in October of 2006. Shows: “Family Squaredance” August 20th. Visit: http://www.glenngraham.ca Hector MacNeil, Gaelic speaker from Castle Bay, stands as one of Cape Breton’s finest Gaelic language and song teachers. Over the years he has devoted much of his time to the promotion and transmission of Gaelic language and culture through his work with the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, the Nova Scotia Highland Village and Cape Breton University, to name a few. He is often sought after for workshops across Canada and beyond. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor.
Hilda Chiasson-Cormier is one of the most sought after of the current generation of piano players and has played on many recordings. Hilda is a native of Cheticamp where she has played for dances and recorded since she was a teenager. She has recorded with Cape Breton musicians Jerry Holland, Carl MacKenzie, Ray Ellis and many others as well as touring throughout North America and Europe. Shows: “The Fiddler’s Court” July 26th. The Iona Gaelic Singers are just a few of our remaining native Gaelic Speakers on Cape Breton Island. They have an unrivalled passion for the preservation and presentation of Gaelic songs, specifically Gaelic milling songs, composed both here in Cape Breton and from the Old Country, Scotland. They are indeed culture bearers and will fittingly take part in the Glendale show this year. Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th.
Jamie MacNeil hails from Castle Bay, Cape Breton and is a native Gaelic speaker. Jamie has been a long-time supporter of Féis an Eilein and is often sought after for workshops in Gaelic song and language. He is a member of the Iona Gaelic singers. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor, “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th Jeff MacDonald hails from Kingsville, Inverness County, Cape Breton. He is a Gaelic speaker with a talent for singing and songwriting. Jeff has graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland. He completed his Masters in Folklore at Memorial University. Jeff is a strong supporter of Gaelic language and culture and has worked with various groups teaching Gaelic language and song, such as Féis an Eilein, Christmas Island, St. Ann’s Gaelic College, and the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, Iona. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th. Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUGoCbYph0
Jody MacKenzie comes from Rear Christmas Island, Cape Breton. She is a step-dancer and singer of Gaelic songs. Jody has been singing with Anita MacDonald for the past several years and the two have performed at many events around Cape Breton. During the last 4 summers, Jody has been employed by Féis an Eilein in Christmas Island, teaching dance and music lessons, as well as performing at concerts and céilidhs. Jody is currently a student at Saint Francis Xavier University, studying nursing. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor. Joel Chiasson is a veteran piano player and step dancer from Cheticamp, Cape Breton. For five years, Joel played professionally for Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster. Over the years, Joel has taught Cape Breton style step dancing through workshops across Canada and the United States. Shows: “Family Squaredance” August 20th.
Kenneth MacKenzie lives in Mabou, Cape Breton and plays highland pipes,
border pipes and fiddle, equally well. He can often be found playing with
Dawn & Margie Beaton and a host of other Cape Bretoners. Angus lives in
Scotland and plays pipes and whistles with the high energy band Daimh. "Piob
Is Fidheal" (Pipes & Fiddle), released last year with the recording
support of the Celtic Colours Volunteer Drive'ers, is the first recording
by the brothers as a group. Kimberley Fraser was born on Cape Breton Island, and nurtured within its rich musical heritage. She first began to impress audiences at the age of three with her step-dancing talents. Soon after that she took up both the fiddle and the piano. She has traveled the world, from Victoria to Afghanistan, performing at venues such as The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. bringing Cape Breton music with her wherever she goes. Kimberley holds a degree in Violin performance from Berklee College of Music and in Celtic Studies from St Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Education is important to her, reflected in Kimberley’s dedication to teaching Cape Breton music both at home and abroad. A master at the trio of fiddling, step dancing and piano, Kimberley is a much sought after teacher for all three. In 2006, Kimberley released her second studio album, Falling on New Ground, a winner of the East Coast Music Award for best Roots/Traditional Album of the Year.
Kyle Gillis of Scotsville, husband to pianist Dawn MacDonald-Gillis, now resides in Barachois. He is a prominent fiddler of this area and he and Dawn have been fantastic supporters and entertainers for Féis over the years. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th.
Kyle MacNeil hails from Sydney Mines but is part of the musical MacKenzie and MacLean families of Washabuck. Along with his brothers and sisters, Sheamus has toured internationally with the Barra MacNeils. He has been a music teacher for years and is well-known and often sought after for his teaching abilities. He is a music professor at Cape Breton University. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th. Visit: http://www.barramacneils.com Lauren MacDonald is from Little Narrows, Cape Breton. She has taken guitar lessons from Laurie Simms. Together with her older sister Anita MacDonald, Lauren has been learning and singing Gaelic songs and the two have performed at several venues, including Cruinneachadh nan Gèidheal in Antigonish. Lauren is also becoming a very accomplished step-dancer as she has been taking lessons and performing for several years now. Lauren is now in grade 10 at Rankin School of the Narrows in Iona. Shows: “Celebrating Our Youth” August 2nd.
Lewis MacKinnon is an English, Scottish Gaelic and Irish singer. He was born in Cape Breton and grew up in Antigonish County. He has been performing at concerts, pubs, theatres, and other locations since 1994. Lewis has played in all the Atlantic provinces, as well as Ontario, and Scotland and Ireland. He has earned an East Coast Music Award nomination for his all Gaelic CD entitled ‘A’ Seo’. In 2008, Lewis released his first Gaelic poetry book, which includes 89 poems with English translations. Shows: “The Fiddler’s Court” July 26th. Visit: http://www.lewismackinnon.com
Mary Jane Lamond first fell in love with Scottish Gaelic traditions and song while visiting her grandparents throughout her youth. While enrolled in Saint Francis Xavier University’s Celtic Studies program, Mary Jane released her first album, ‘Bho Thir Nan Craobh’. This sharing of song garnered her numerous Juno and East Coast Music Award nominations, critical acclaim, and a worldwide audience. Mary Jane is an interpreter, a singer, and a musician. She is widely involved with community events and programs that help conserve the Gaelic language, traditions, and culture for younger generations. Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th. Visit: http://www.maryjanelamond.com/
Melanie MacDonald is one of Cape Breton’s finest step dancers, well-known for her impeccable timing and traditional “close-to-the-floor” style. She is often sought-after for instruction in both step dancing and square-dancing. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor. Mike Barron currently lives in Sydney, NS and has established himself as an excellent traditional player with fantastic drive and passion. His love for traditional Cape Breton music has held true and is exemplified in his musical abilities. Shows: “The Fiddler’s Court” July 26th.
Monica MacNeil, a teacher at Riverview Rural High School located in Coxheath, Nova Scotia has established herself as a strongly talented and unique Celtic saxophone player. She is wife to Sheumas MacNeil of the Barra MacNeils. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th. Neil, Stuart and Cullen MacInnis: Neil, Stuart and Cullen MacInnis hail from Mabou, Cape Breton. Neil MacInnis attends Dalbrae Academy and plays the pipes. Stuart MacInnis is beginning his second year at NSCC, Sydney and has taken to guitar accompaniment. Cullen MacInnis, the youngest of the three boys attends Bayview Elementary School and has taken a great interest in Gaelic singing and stepdancing. Shows: “Celebrating Our Youth” August 2nd. Pat Gillis is a guitar player from Scotsville, Cape Breton. He grew up around traditional music, with his father, uncle, and two older brothers playing the fiddle. His style of accompaniment and solos have a great amount of energy that can be heard when he is playing. Pat is left handed, and had only right handed guitars around, so he learned to play upside-down and backwards. Pat has toured the United States with Cullin, played in Howie’s Celtic Brew, and with Natalie MacMaster, Glenn Graham, and Ashley MacIsaac, and more recently in the band Beòlach. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th. Visit: http://www.beolach.com From the age of 13, Patricia Chafe has been composing and performing on radio, television and in public with various Celtic artists throughout the Maritimes, United States and United Kingdom. Her piano accompaniment and original music have been recorded by many Cape Breton artists, while her works have been requested from artists in Spain, Australia, United States, Ireland and China. Along with writing and performing, Patricia, a classically trained musician, also teaches and provides workshops in Celtic piano and accompaniment. She conducted an international music education workshop for the Cape Breton Regional School Board, "The Classics Meet Cape Breton Fiddle", which featured her arrangements and compositions, in October 2004. She is a versatile artist, able to combine her Celtic heritage with her classical background, in a unique and pleasing manner. Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th.
Paul K. MacNeil is a piper originally from Barra Glen, Cape Breton. His first teacher was Sandy Boyd. Paul has been playing the bagpipes for over 25 years. He played with the Halifax Police Pipe Band, serving as Pipe Sergeant when the band reached the Grade 1 level and was also Pipe Major for the Halifax Police Grade 4 Pipe Band at this time. After 8 years, Paul left the band and moved home to Cape Breton to concentrate on the more traditional style of Cape Breton piping, that is influence by step-dancing. He is married to pianist Tracey Dares-MacNeil and they live in Castle Bay, Cape Breton. Shows: “The Piper’s Ceilidh” August 16th. Rod C. MacNeil from Castle Bay, Cape Breton is a native Gaelic speaker. Raised in Barra Glen, MacNeil is a direct descendant of one of the original settlers to the community. A leading member of the Iona Gaelic Singers, Rod C. is a familiar face at Gaelic events around Nova Scotia. Shows: Féis Workshop Instructor, “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th.
Ryan J. MacNeil is originally from Big Pond, Cape Breton but now resides in Sydney. He is an accomplished musician and has mastered his instruments; the highland bagpipe, border pipes, and whistles. Ryan’s upbeat playing is strongly rooted in Cape Breton's dance oriented tradition. In the past several years Ryan has become increasingly renowned as a talented composer. His tunes have been performed and recorded by many musicians, both locally and abroad. Ryan also manufactures a line of his own whistles. Ryan used his playing experience and practical skills to develop a whistle which rivals any other on the market. Shows: “Family Squaredance” August 19th. Visit: http://www.beolach.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgal31ZDGd0 A native of the North Shore, Cape Breton, Ryan MacDonald plays Highland and Small pipes. She was a long-time student and instructor at the Gaelic College and played with the Gaelic College Pipe Band when they won the World Pipe Band Championships. Ryan is a Professional-level Highland piper with firm grounding in Highland technique and tradition, but is equally at home in the freer styles of playing. She currently lives in Victoria, BC. Shows: “The Piper’s Ceilidh” August 16th. Visit: http://ryanmacdonaldphotography.com/
Sheamus MacNeil hails from Sydney Mines but is part of the musical MacKenzie and MacLean families of Washabuck. Along with his brothers and sisters, Sheamus has toured internationally with the Barra MacNeils. Shows: “Music Among Friends and Relations” July 19th. Visit: http://www.barramacneils.com/
Shelly Campbell-For close to 20 years, Shelly has been playing local concerts, pubs and festivals and is a popular player for dances. She has taught Cape Breton style fiddling in workshops and in private lessons throughout Cape Breton and in Scotland including the Ceolas School of Music in South Uist Scotland. Shelly also has an avid interest in the Gaelic language and its preservation in Cape Breton. She is currently teaching Primary school as well as Gaelic language grades 5-9 and teaching private fiddle lessons. Her playing is powerful, lively and graceful and deeply rooted in the traditions she grew up listening to. Shows: “Gaelic in the Music” July 12th.
Susan MacLean was born and raised in Washabuck and now resides in the Sydney area. She is a well-known Cape Breton musician. She has been a regular performer at the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidhs since their inception. She has performed with various Cape Breton musicians at dances, concerts and house rackets and has taught Cape Breton style piano accompaniment for many years at St. Ann's Gaelic College. Susan plays the fiddle as well and writes music. Her composition "Grandma Rose” is featured on the Baddeck Gathering Ceilidh CD. She is a long-time member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association and recently toured Scotland accompanying the Association members on their 35th Anniversary excursion. Susan's enthusiasm for Cape Breton style piano comes from influences within her own extended musical family. She credits much of her success to the encouragement of her late grandfather, Michael Anthony MacLean, who was a well-known dance player. Brothers Carl and Hector MacKenzie are her well-known fiddling uncles and the Barra MacNeils are close cousins. Shows: “Family Squaredance” August 19th. Tracey Dares-MacNeil is from the Marion Bridge, Cape Breton area. She has been playing the piano for over 20 years now, originally trained in contemporary styles, later studying some classical and spent much of her musical career enveloped in the traditional music of Cape Breton Island. She is one of the island’s finest pianists today. She has toured extensively with Natalie MacMaster, and others. She is married to piper Paul K. MacNeil and they reside in Castle Bay, Cape Breton with their family. Shows: “The Piper’s Ceilidh” August 16th.
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P.O. Box 317 Christmas Island, Cape Breton
Nova Scotia B1T 1R7
E-mail: feisaneilein@ns.sympatico.ca
http://www.feisaneilein.ca
Ph/Fax: 902-622-2627
Copyright © 2006 Victoria County CAP Sites Association
All Rights Reserved.