Event

Fiddle Workshop

Workshop in Cape Breton style fiddling led by Anita MacDonald http://anitamacdonald.com/. Bring music stands and recording devices if desired. Suitable for Intermediate level fiddlers, Anita will be teaching tunes and ornamentation unique to the Cape Breton style of fiddling.

Anita MacDonald is an accomplished musician, dancer, and Gaelic singer from Little Narrows, Cape Breton. She began stepdancing in the family kitchen at the tender age of four, and picked up the fiddle a few short years later, at age eight. Anitas fiddle playing has a distinctive sound, influenced by the deep roots of her musical family and her teachers throughout the years. Her energetic style has put her in demand as a performer and teacher, across Cape Breton and beyond. She has been a featured artist in the Celtic Colours International Festival, and has toured throughout New England with Cape Breton folk trio, The Goins On (www.thegoinson.com).

When she is not performing, Anita is often sought after to conduct workshops in music, dance, and song. She has worked with the Ottawa Cape Breton Session, Champlain Valley Traditional Arts, PEI Fiddle Camp, and has been a regular summer instructor at Féis an Eilein, in Christmas Island. Anitas passion for Cape Breton music has also enabled her to work extensively with the cultural component of Féis an Eilein for the past eight years.

Anita is the recipient of the Frank Big Sampie Sampson Award, nominated by the Festival Volunteer Driveers Association and supported by Lakewind Sound Studios. Following this award, Anita released her debut album, Stepping Stone, during the 2011 Celtic Colours International Festival. She has also appeared on the Ben Miller and Friends recording On Home Ground EP and has recently released an ECMA nominated album "A Day at the Lake" also with Ben Miller.