2025 Performers
Abby and Ella Hanson - Up with Gaelic
These two talented sisters share Nova Scotia Gaelic culture through music, dance, and language, including through their “Up With Gaelic” project. Mentored through the Na Gaisgich Òga program at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton, Ella and Abby have performed on stages large and small. Suas leis a' Ghàidhlig!
Adria Jackson
Adria Jackson is a Canadian classical Celtic singer/folk harpe. Her pure lyric soprano voice paired harp skillfully brings traditional songs to life. She released her debut album Troubadour which is filled with traditional Celtic, timeless originals, Canadiana and folk inspired classical songs. This past summer while touring Nova Scotia, Troubadour climbed nationally to #5 on the Earshot folk/roots/blues charts. She performed at the Ancient River Festival, the Helen Creighton Folk Club and Side Door by the Sea. Before emerging as a traditional folk singer/harper, Adria was an experienced classical performer and music educator.
Alix Sandra Speirs
Canadian-born artist, Alix Sandra {Alistríona} Huntley-Speirs, spent over a decade in Scotland in the early nineties where she discovered a profound connection with the indigenous art of Ireland and Scotland which has continued to be her inspiration ever since, specifically early Irish Christian art that is commonly recognized as "Celtic Art". Today, Alix continues to teach and produce modern works that are built with these ancient techniques and is excited to share this journey with you.
Join us today for an introductory workshop that will teach the basics of creating a simple knotwork pattern including a couple of variations on the design. This workshop is ideal for anyone, even those who profess that they 'can't draw a straight line!'… You will be amazed at how these techniques will enable anyone to draw! All materials will be provided.
If you enjoy this process, there is an opportunity to continue learning the various methods and techniques of early Irish {Celtic} art which are applicable to a wide range of arts and crafts. Be sure to ask Alix more about this at the festival or contact her directly at alix@alistriona.art.
Original Artwork by Alistríona: "An Dá Griann" {The Two Suns} - Áine & her sister Grianne, also known as the greater and the lesser suns, often associated with the Summer & Winter Solstices.
Amelia Parker
Amelia Parker is a traditional musician, specializing in fiddle and violin, and a nominee for both Music Nova Scotia and Canadian Folk awards. For over a decade, she’s travelled across North America to perform and compete alongside some of the best fiddlers in the country. Described as a “fiddling phenom,” she’s earned champion titles throughout Canada, the United States, and Scotland, and represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Grand Masters and U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship. She’s released two albums, most recently Forwards in 2023.
Amethyst Scottish Dancers
Founded in 1985, the Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia is a non-profit dance troupe composed of skilled highland dancers. We blend Scottish steps with both traditional and modern music and choreography to entertain crowds both at home and afar. Performances are our opportunity to share our love of dance and to continue to celebrate the unique Celtic heritage and culture of Nova Scotia.
An Cuan
An Cuan ('The Harbour') fuses Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton music, blending PEI-raised Katie Sonier's dynamic fiddle playing with Katie MacDonald's County Clare-inspired flute and concertina, backed by Vince McMackin's energetic guitar. Playing a mix of modern and traditional tunes, they have a sound entirely their own.
Brad Reid Trio
Playful Celtic fiddle with a modern interpretation, Brad Reid’s fresh fiddle phrases connect old traditions with modern popular music, drawing on global influences like latin, classical, jazz, and pop. Recently nominated for a 2024 East Coast Music Award, and a 2024 Nova Scotia Music Award for Roots/Traditional Album of the Year, he’s been described as a “world class fiddler” by The Bluegrass Standard, and "a true pleasure" by Fiddler Magazine.
The trio presents a side of the classic Cape Breton sound in a way that might be, according to Irish tradition bearer Martin Hayes, “continually growing”. Jazz musicians Trevor Wentzell (piano) and Gabriella Ciurcovich (double bass) bring sizzling spontaneity and swing to the music.
Brad Reid comes from a large family of Cape Bretoners and Newfoundlanders. His grandfather Henry Lefort was a fiddler, from Cheticamp, Cape Breton, and his grandmother an occasional piano accompanist from Piper’s Cove, Cape Breton. Brad took up the fiddle as a teenager, learning from his grandfather, and by listening to fiddlers like Buddy MacMaster, Natalie MacMaster, and Winston Fitzgerald.
He studied music in university at St FX University in jazz saxophone, and has a varied musical background that he incorporates into his playing and teaching. In 2019, Brad toured the world with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL, before coming home and recording his album NEW Scotland, which was nominated for a 2022 East Coast Music Award, and two 2021 Nova Scotia Music Awards.
Corbies
Both originally from Scotland, long time musical friends Eilidh Campbell and Andy Webster formed their unique partnership over years playing the European festival circuit and now, by chance, live near to one another in Nova Scotia. Playing finely crafted arrangements of Scottish and original tunes and songs on fiddle, guitar, bouzouki and voice, Corbies captivates as much by their music as by the love and laughter shared onstage.
Delhaven & Friends
Delhaven was formed by multi instrumentalists Morgan Davison and Jenny Melvin, a young pair of traditional musicians hailing from the Annapolis Valley. The group is named after Jenny’s homeplace, “Delhaven”. They enjoy unearthing and exploring instrumental dance music from Nova Scotia and Ireland, and tracing the storylines between the two, and even dip their toes into composition by times. Having been reared up in a large family of musicians in Halifax, Morgan Davisons unbridled, raw singing in English and as Gaeilge is a rare treat. His songs and the stories behind them are something local musicologists enjoy engaging with. Additionally, Morgan is a mighty hand on the whistle, and has an exhilarating, step-dance informed approach to the bodhrán. Jenny is a renowned educator and performer of traditional Irish music: Her fiery yet finespun touch on the fiddle, crafted through years of practical and academic pursuit, is in demand on both sides of the Atlantic, which she regularly crosses to study, research and perform music. Like Morgan, Jenny had the good fortune to have come from a musical family, and the love of concertina playing has been passed down to her. Having a couple of key, musical families in Canning, a neighbouring village to Delhaven, there were a couple of very fine, female musicians who inspired her to learn to play the harp as well. Living in a deep well of traditional music in the Valley, Delhaven have been lucky to collaborate with many great musicians and dancers, and they plan to feature a few in their Saturday evening visit to the Halifax Celtic Festival: Morgan’s father, Chris Davison, a fiddle luthier, grand piano technician and fine multi instrumentalist in his own right will join in on a few selections on the piano. Also a fiddle player and having dabbled in piping, Chris has an intimate understanding of the harmonic and melodic elements within traditional music, and his ability to craft tone-poem like ideas around dance tunes is thus very sensitively informed. Scott Henderson, a stoic, established tradition bearer will be providing his inimitable, stately piping on the night. Locally known for hosting sessions and providing tune learning workshops, Scott has also performed all over North America, and is ripe in his possession of a lifetime of musical experience. His ability to pull at one’s heartstrings with slow airs goes unparalleled. And last but not least, and new to Nova Scotia by way of Whitehorse, step dancer Ashlyne MacRae will grace the stage of the festival for the very first time. Also a brilliant Scottish fiddle player, Ashlyne beautifully blends steps that she’s learned from a variety of traditions - Irish, Cape Breton, Ottawa Valley, and the occasional nod to Quebecois tradition - celebrating Canadas rich dance history whilst delivering something genuinely musical and intuitive
Diaga Irish Dance
Established in 2010 by World medalist and Riverdance cast member Zeph Caissie, Diaga Irish Dance has become renowned for excellence.
Diaga Irish Dance is connected to the rich Celtic heritage of the Maritimes, and their performances regularly feature local musicians. They have performed at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, with the Chieftains at Celtic Colours International Festival, and at the Hamburg Police Show. In 2023, Diaga Irish Dance became the first ever school from Atlantic Canada to win a Recall medal at the World Irish Dancing Championships.
The dancers love sharing their passion for Irish dance and music, and sincerely hope you enjoy their performance.
Dusty Keleher
Dusty Keleher, based in Halifax Nova Scotia, writes songs that tell a good story and searches gems out from the past that do the same. Simply put, roots/traditional music that takes its cue from ancient Irish ballads to songs from the folk and folk/rock canon. When not playing music, Dusty leads locals and tourists alike on his Halifax Ghost Walk, a walking tour through Halifax, Nova Scotia’s historic downtown core. Tales of spectres, spirits, pirates, forerunners and the sinister collected from the folklore of Nova Scotia. From whatever genre and tradition he draws on, Dusty brings a heartfelt soul to all the songs he sings and the stories he tells.
Ekko Mindful Music Studio
Ekko Mindful Music Studio is located in the heart of Downtown Dartmouth. Ekko aims to provide inclusive, positive, and stress-free learning environments for all. Showcasing students of Adam LeBlanc and Connor Cornick, these young fiddlers enjoy playing and participating in various festivals and events in the city.
Fiddles & Feet
Fiddles & Feet had a great year in 2022 and the band continues to expand their audience and their repertoire. Adding new material and playing in new communities keeps things positive! And return engagements in 2023 to all venues played in 2022. A good sign for the future! Fiddles & Feet has the same line up as well with Laura Watson, Megan Washburn, Alycia Putnam, Randy Feener, Ben Tucker, Rob Putnam and Gordon Tucker. The most important fact is the band still puts on an exciting live show, lots of fiddling, singing and step dancing in the Celtic tradition.
Giving Celtic Context -
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Greene School of Irish Dance
The Greene School of Irish Dancing, under the direction of Beth Greene and her daughter Sinead was established in 1989 with the objectives of fostering the development of Irish culture through dance.
The school is highly competitive, travelling to competitions across Canada and North America. The dancers have represented the school at the National Championships in North America and we have had dancers qualify for the World Irish Dancing Championships.
Our studio is in the Northwood Woodside Community Centre Pleasant Street Dartmouth. We are thrilled to appear at the Halifax Celtic Festival April 21st.
Heather Rankin
Heather Rankin is a singer, songwriter, actor, and member of the 6X Juno Award winning band The Rankin Family. As a solo artist she has released two albums: A Fine Line (ECMA/Juno Nom.) and Imagine (ECMA Nom.) Her music video for “We Walk As One” (dir. Scott Simpson) was nominated for ECMA’s Fans’ Choice Video of the Year and her music video for “Titanically” (dir. Thom Fitzgerald) was nominated for ECMA and Music Nova Scotia Awards for Video of the Year. She has taken her solo show to venues across the country, including headlining the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, hosting Songwriters’ Circles at ECMA Week and at the Nova Scotia SummerFest, performing with the Cape Breton Orchestra at Celtic Colours, with Symphony NS, and with the Calgary Philharmonic. Since 2018 she has also performed with Nova Scotian powerhouses Bette MacDonald, Lucy MacNeil, and Jenn Sheppard in their fan favourite music and sketch comedy show Island Girls. In 2017 Heather was named a Canada 150 Ambassador, and she took part in the Canada C3 Expedition on Leg 2 between Montréal and Baie Comeau, where she co-wrote the song “River of Nations” with Alex Cuba and Andrea Menard. She has recorded and performed with many artists including The Chieftains, Johnny Reid, Brett Kissel, and Carly Simon. In addition to her live shows, Heather has worked with Bell TV On Demand on two different projects which showcase the vibrant and unique cultural and musical traditions of Cape Breton Island. Heather is an Officer of the Order of Canada known for her deep love and passion for both her Gaelic heritage and her community.
Higgins School of Highland Dance
Higgins School of Highland Dance has been offering highland dance and most recently, Cape Breton step dance, in the heart of Dartmouth for 15 years. HSHD offers classes for dancers as young as 2 up to adult, hosting one of the province’s largest adult highland dance programmes. HSHD is under the direction of Kathleen Higgins along with a highly competitively successful and accomplished team of 7 other instructors.
Jordan Chowen
Jordan Chowen has been step dancing since the age of seven and has not stopped yet. Growing up in Prince Edward Island, Jordan had the opportunity to learn from some of the best dancers in the region. Over the years, Jordan competed across Atlantic Canada and beyond, earning top marks in traditional dance through the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD), and had the chance to perform in Ireland and Germany.
Jordan taught step dancing for several years and operated their own school, JC Dance Academy, on PEI from 2017 to 2021. They love teaching and sharing the different traditions of step dance found across the Maritimes, where each province has its own unique steps and style. A big inspiration for Jordan has always been The Arsenault Sisters from Western PEI. Their style is iconic and captures the heart of PEI step dancing.
Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2021, Jordan has continued to perform with artists and groups including Richard Wood, SheNova, and Harbour City. Jordan also plays the bagpipes and violin and brings a love of music to everything they do. Their favourite part of dancing is putting a smile on people's faces. Jordan is excited to connect with everyone during the Halifax Celtic Festival workshops and to share some fun steps that will get everyone moving, no matter their experience.
Kendra MacGillivray School of Celtic Music
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is the home base for the Kendra MacGillivray School of Celtic Music since 2017. Multi-award winning and Internationally known Celtic fiddler/piano accompanist and dancer, Kendra MacGillivray, originally from Antigonish, NS is the Director/Instructor to students of all ages, from all over the world through online and in-person private/group lessons, workshops, master classes, dances, ceilidhs, house parties/jam sessions, fundraisers, concerts and festivals! Tonight, you will be entertained by some of her most enthusiastic Nova Scotia youth fiddlers who have been studying her style of fiddle music for the past few years. This past summer, they were special guests at the 50th Anniversary of the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association Gala Concert held at Colaisde na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic College and the 2023 Halifax Celtic Festival, Spirit of Youth Concert. They also performed on the 60th Anniversary of the Christmas Daddies Telethon on CTV TV and at Kendra’s Ceilidhs. Please enjoy our medleys of jigs and reels! We hope you feel like dancing.
Kieran Walker
Kieran Walker was born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia and has strong ties to Ireland. He started learning Irish during his undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s University during which time he had the chance to study Irish in Connemara. He then went on to complete a Master’s degree at Maynooth University in Ireland, where he undertook research on identity and the Irish language in Dublin and continued to study Irish while in Ireland.
He first began learning Scottish Gaelic upon returning to Halifax in 2019, and has since taken classes and participated in the Daltachas intermediate apprenticeship program. He currently works as the Administrator of Comhairle na Gàidhlig and lives in Halifax.
Kitchen Criminals
The Kitchen Criminals (TKC) are a four piece ensemble from Pictou County. Their East Coast, Celtic-Rock sound was largely influenced by Atlantic Canadian bands MacKeel, Great Big Sea, Rawlins Cross, and Fleur Mainville.
TKC formed in 2016 due to a shared musical connection, enthusiasm and a love for the typical East Coast kitchen party atmosphere. They have built a large fan base by playing for pubs, colleges and universities, as well as entertaining at private functions such as weddings, corporate parties, benefits and many more. Their music ranges from original songs, to fiddle sets and Celtic classics. This group’s musical appeal is one that extends into many stylistic tastes.
Outfitted with an acoustic guitar, fiddle, bodhrán drum, and bass guitar, TKC sets the stage with their Celtic instrumentation and rock approach to the music industry. TKC released their first album titled ‘Down the Hatch’ in March of 2019.
Leona Burke
Leona Burkey grew up in the small seaside village of L’Ardoise, Cape Breton and is an ECMA and Music NS nominated singer-songwriter & recording artist. Known for her versatile bell-clear voice, inventive guitar attack and easy going stage manner, Leona’s latest album “Groundrush” (November 2022) draws from these same roots while pushing the boundaries of the contemporary roots genre - early critical praise and traction for “Groundrush” finds Leona relishing a lovely 2nd act in a meandering music journey.
Marielle Lespérance School of Dance
Run by an 8-time World Champion, the Marielle Lespérance School of Dance in Dartmouth trains youth from across the Maritimes in highland dancing. Marielle’s students have won both provincial and national titles, and are passionate about performing and sharing their love of dance.
McCorkell Academy of Highland Dance
McCorkell Highland Dancers are a performance troupe composed of competitive Highland dancers from McCorkell Academy of Highland Dance, based in Halifax, NS. McCorkell Highland Dance is a studio with students from 3 yrs to adult who dance competitively and recreationally.
Papilio
Papilio is a neo-traditional acoustic trio based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Join them on a musical tour through the cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany (France), Spain, Cape Breton, Quebec, Scandinavia, the Balkans, and uncharted lands beyond. With fiddle, flutes, vocals and guitar, Papilio renders a mix of international instrumentals, original compositions, and folk songs with their own distinctive creative twist.
The trio has performed at Celtic Colours International Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, the East Coast Music Awards, Nova Scotia Music Week, Halifax Celtic Festival, and in concert venues and dance halls across the Maritimes. Papilio’s debut album, First Flight, was nominated for an East Coast Music Award and a Nova Scotia Music Award in 2014. Their second album, Sociable Butterflies, recorded with John Adams at Stonehouse Sound, was released in November 2018.
Rowdy Dow
Rowdy Dow is Scott MacDonald and Theo Macintosh.
Scott has been playing in the clubs and pubs around Halifax and Dartmouth for the last 30 years. Has played in bands such as Breakin Tradtion, Breton, and The Gig Dogs. He was raised in Judique Cape Breton where he started playing in bands at the age of 15.
Theo has also been playing in bands since a young age. He was in the succesful Beatles cover band Abby Road. He transitioned to the clubs and pubs playing with various bands as he's a sought after multi instrumentalist and singer. Theo is from Glace Bay, Cape Breton.
They started playing together 5 years ago and decided to keep martime music at the forefront of the show as they feel it's an important part of Nova Scotia culture. You're guaranteed to have fun, sing-a-long, clap-a-long experiences at their shows.
Sons of Maxwell
info to come…
Spirit Medium Roz
Discover Your Psychic Self at the Celtic Festival!
Ever wondered if you have psychic (intuitive) abilities? Join Spirit Medium Roz, a seasoned psychic medium from Aberdeen, Scotland, with over 20 years of experience, for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to awaken your intuition!
Through fun and insightful activities, you’ll explore your natural intuitive gifts in a welcoming space. No experience needed—everyone has intuitive potential!
Come unlock the magic within you!
Spruce Larks
Formed in 2018 the Spruce Larks are Kirsty Money, nyckelharpa, and Jude Pelley on guitar, mandolin and bouzouki.
Kirsty comes from from a Classical Music background and Jude from a Folk one. The melding of playing styles and musicianship has led the duo to explore numerous folk genres, including Scandinavian, Celtic, and the writing their own compositions. Projects for the new Maritime duo have included working with the Manning Chapel Choir in Wolfville, The Bordertown Music Festival in Sackville NB, Inner Space Concerts in Halifax, Musique Royale, and a musical residency with The Deep Roots Festival in the fall of 2020.
The duo released its debut album “Out of the Nest” in September 2021 at the Deep Roots Festival and hope to put on some new shows in the Spring of 2022, once the latest wave of the Pandemic subsides.
The Fine Tuners
The Fine Tuners create an entirely unique and beautiful sound that brings audiences to their feet. The music is inspired by traditional Scottish and Irish reels, waltzes, and jigs. Their sound is always in harmony, with the ability to transition from slow, soothing sounds to more upbeat rhythms with ease. The energetic and high-spirited nature of their performances is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face! The beauty of the Celtic fiddle combined with the rich, melodic sound of the double bass make The Fine Tuners a perfect addition to any occasion.
12 Wing Pipe and Drums
12 Wing Pipes and Drums, established in 1995, is a Regular Force Volunteer Pipe Band in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) based in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. 12 Wing Pipes and Drums is comprised of current Military, former Military, and civilian volunteer members. 12 Wing Pipes and Drums provides musical support to the Military and local community performing at events such as Parades, Tattoos, and Highland Games. Past performances include the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Virgina International Tattoo, Bermuda Tattoo, the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, and the North American Pipe Band Championships in Ontario. 12 Wing Pipes and Drums are celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year and are proud to perform at this years Halifax Celtic Festival.