2026 Performers
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.
Alycia Putnam & Family
Alicia and the Putnam Family is a lively instrumental trio rooted in Nova Scotia’s rich musical traditions. Alycia leads with dynamic fiddle playing that blends Celtic and eclectic influences. She’s joined by her dad, Robert, on guitar and her mom, Kelly, who adds a distinctive flair with small bagpipes on select sets. Raised on kitchen jam sessions, this family brings the warmth and energy of a true maritime kitchen party to every performance. The fun this family trio has together shines through at every show. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Amethyst Scottish Dancers of Nova Scotia
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.
Beòlach
Beòlach is an award-winning Celtic band from Cape Breton that has been captivating audiences for over two decades with its energetic performances, innovative arrangements, and deep roots in traditional Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton music. Known for their exceptional musicianship, lively stage presence, and engaging storytelling, the group has earned multiple East Coast Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, and Juno nominations. Following a successful reunion and the release of their acclaimed album All Hands in 2020, Beòlach continues to be a leading force in East Coast traditional music. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Big Island Trio
The BiG Island Trio is a high-energy Folk/Roots/Traditional and Celtic music group based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They are celebrated for their interactive, kitchen-party style performances featuring traditional maritime favorites and original music.
The group brings an authentic East Coast and Celtic musical experience to festivals, resorts, and private events. Their repertoire spans a blend of traditional Celtic, folk, and roots music combined with their own traditionally-inspired original material.hatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Brad Reid and Dave MacIsaac
Brad Reid is an award-nominated Cape Breton fiddler known for blending traditional Celtic music with influences from jazz, classical, Latin, and contemporary styles. A 2024 East Coast Music Award and Nova Scotia Music Award nominee, Brad has earned recognition for his innovative playing and engaging performances. He has toured internationally with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL and continues to bring a fresh, modern approach to Celtic fiddle music while staying rooted in his Cape Breton heritage.
Callehan
Callehan is Tony Trimper, Gene Huh, and Tyler Daniels. Tony chose the name Callehan for his band and music persona to honor his Irish ancestory. Callehan have been local ambassadors of Maritime Music since the 2018 release of the Gourley Shanty Riot. This infamous 1856 Irish riot in Nova Scotia is just one of the tales Callehan has resurrected in songwriting.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Cheryl Reid O'Hagan with Catherine Little
Cheryl Reid O’Hagan is a Nova Scotia harpist, performer, educator, and founder of Eastcoast Harpshop. Since taking up the harp in 1990, she has played a key role in growing the harp community across the province through teaching, performance, festivals, and organizations such as the Nova Scotia Harp Association. Cheryl has released two albums and has appeared in numerous concerts and media productions, including the documentary Sailing on Strings.
Joining Cheryl is acclaimed Nova Scotian cellist Catherine Little, known for her expressive performances and collaborative approach to music-making. A graduate of the Université de Montréal, Catherine is the recipient of multiple scholarships and has released award-winning and ECMA-nominated recordings. Together, Cheryl and Catherine bring a unique blend of harp and cello, combining Celtic traditions with classical artistry for an engaging and memorable performance.
Citadel High Celtic Stars
The Celtic Stars is a new club founded by Patricia Lingley-Hagen that is located at Citadel High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Celtic Stars is a club that explores Gaelic culture through its traditional music. What started as an idea became something bigger than anyone could have imagined, bringing together a community to celebrate the culture’s revival and music that was almost lost to time.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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.
Dartmouth and District G4 Pipe Band
The Dartmouth & District Pipe Band is based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and welcomes members and students from across Atlantic Canada. The organization includes competition bands, a parade band, and a long-standing bagpipe and drumming school. Dedicated to fostering musical excellence, the band provides a supportive learning environment where members can develop their piping and drumming skills while building leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of community.
Delhaven
Delhaven is a Nova Scotia-based band led by multi-instrumentalist Jenny Melvin, performing traditional and original Gaelic music. Rooted in the musical traditions of the Annapolis Valley, the group blends instrumental tunes and songs in English, Irish Gaelic, and Scottish Gaelic. With a deep passion for local music, dance, and storytelling, Delhaven creates engaging performances that honour Celtic traditions while bringing their own distinctive sound to the stage.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Anthony Rissesco & Doug Sampson
Anthony Rissesco A versatile violinist and teacher, Anthony Rissesco tours regularly with award-winning singer-songwriter Lennie Gallant and roots-rock band Pogey, and has earned ECMA and Nova Scotia Music Awards nominations as a member of the neo-traditional trio Papilio. He has shared the stage with Symphony Nova Scotia, Anne Murray, and Peggy Seeger.
Doug Sampson With more than 40 years on the Nova Scotia entertainment circuit, guitarist Doug Sampson is celebrated for his Celtic expertise and longtime musical partnership with fiddler Anthony Rissesco. On the international stage, he has opened for Kenny Rogers, John Prine, and Taj Mahal, and shared the stage with The Rankin Family, The Barra MacNeils, and Rawlins Cross.
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.
Gillian Blaney
Finney & Webster
Finney & Webster are a Celtic music duo rooted in Nova Scotia, Canada. Fiddler and composer Jeremy Finney — whose debut album earned a Music Nova Scotia nomination — joins Scottish-born guitarist, bouzouki player, and vocalist Andy Webster in a partnership that draws from the traditions of Scotland, Ireland, and Atlantic Canada. Together they craft a warm, full-bodied sound built on lyrical tune sets, compelling original compositions, and songs that linger long after the last note fades. Whether on a concert stage or in an intimate house concert, Finney & Webster deliver a captivating performance rooted in landscape and story.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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.
Hayley Ryerson
Hayley Ryerson is a fiddler/violinist, composer, and educator based in Halifax whose practice is rooted in traditional Scottish fiddling and has extended into composition, improvisation, and cross-cultural collaboration. She has produced three albums to date, published a tune book of original fiddle tunes, and has hundreds of performance dates to her credit. A Celtic fiddler all her life, Hayley resided in Glasgow, Scotland in 2024 to deepen her learning by attending sessions, concerts, and studying traditional Scottish fiddling at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Kendra MacGillivray School of Celtic Music
Kendra MacGillivray School of Celtic Music, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, offers Celtic music instruction to students of all ages through lessons, workshops, performances, and community events. Led by award-winning fiddler, pianist, and dancer Kendra MacGillivray, the school is known for nurturing talented young musicians who have performed at major Celtic events, including the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association Gala Concert, the Halifax Celtic Festival, and the Christmas Daddies Telethon.
Kitchen Criminals
The Kitchen Criminals are a Celtic rock band from Pictou County, Nova Scotia, known for blending East Coast traditions with a high-energy modern sound. Formed in 2016, the four-piece group draws inspiration from Atlantic Canadian favourites such as Great Big Sea, Rawlins Cross, and MacKeel. Featuring a mix of original songs, fiddle tunes, and Celtic classics, they have built a strong following through performances at festivals, pubs, universities, weddings, and community events. Their debut album, Down the Hatch, was released in 2019.
Kolten MacDonell
Kolten MacDonell, originally from Glencoe, Cape Breton is a former student and now long-time teacher at the Gaelic College. Still at a young age, he is already a wealth of knowledge and talent as Kolten plays and teaches fiddle and piano and step dances too! He has been influenced in piano by Stephanie Wills, in fiddle by Brenda Stubbert and Jerry Holland and in step by Bonnie Jean (MacDonald) Cutcliffe. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Mairi Rankin
Mairi Rankin is an award-winning Cape Breton fiddler and step dancer whose music is deeply rooted in the traditions of Cape Breton and her Scottish heritage. A sought-after performer and educator, she has toured internationally as a solo artist and as a member of acclaimed groups including Beòlach and The Outside Track. Throughout her career, Mairi has earned multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, an East Coast Music Award, a JUNO nomination, and international recognition for her contributions to traditional Celtic music.
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.
Rising Tide Irish Dance Academy
Rising Tide Irish Dance Academy is excited to share the energy, rhythm, and joy of Irish dance with the Halifax Celtic Festival. Featuring dancers from young Advanced Beginners to Championship dancers who compete at regional, national, and world levels, Rising Tide’s performance showcases both the fun of getting started and the possibilities that come with dedication, great coaching, and a supportive community. With exceptional programming for children and adults, a welcoming school culture, and a minimum of two coaches in every class, Rising Tide is a place where dancers can learn, grow, and thrive.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Rowdy Dow
Rowdy Dow started out as duo with Vince Burke and Mike Chapman. After 2 years, Mike left and Vince asked me, Scott MacDonald, to join and keep the Rowdy Dow experience going. We played together for 5 years and decided to keep maritime music at the forefront of the show as we felt it's an important part of Nova Scotia's culture. After Vince decided to move back home to Cape Breton, Theo MacIntosh joined me to keep Rowdy Dow alive and kicking. After 5 more years of fun, Rowdy Dow is changing again as Theo has decided to pursue a solo career going forward. I have recruited my long time friend, Karen Smith, to join Rowdy Dow. I'm very excited as she will bring beautiful lead and harmony vocals to the show. You're guaranteed to have a fun, sing-a-long, clap-a-long experience at our shows with lots of maritime music, with a sprinkle of well known contemporary songs. Can't wait to see you!!
-Scott
Scaip na Cleiti
The Scaip na Cleiti (pronounced skawp na kletti) dancers specialize in the older, often lesser-known styles of traditional Irish step and social dance which, until thirty years ago, were on the verge of extinction. From the improvised percussions of sean-nós and the vibrant square sets to the elegance of old-style step (from which modern Irish step dance evolved), these rediscovered gems of dances are today enjoyed worldwide.
Sons of Maxwell
Sons of Maxwell is the award-winning Nova Scotia duo of brothers Don and Dave Carroll, known for their spirited original songs, signature brotherly harmonies, and deep roots in East Coast and Celtic music traditions. For more than 35 years, the duo has entertained audiences across Canada and beyond with performances that blend heartfelt storytelling, emotional authenticity, humour, and musical craftsmanship.info to come…
The Foleys
Rooted in the rich musical heritage of the East Coast, The Foleys—Gary, Clare, and Kate—bring the vibrant traditions of Celtic music and dance to life. As a family ensemble, their performances are a dynamic celebration of driving rhythms, soulful melodies, and breathtaking dancing that captures the heart of traditional music lovers wherever they go.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Thistles Dance Group
The Thistles Scottish Country Dance Demonstration Team is a Nova Scotia-based performance group dedicated to celebrating and promoting Scottish country dance. Through lively jigs, reels, and strathspeys, the group showcases both traditional Scottish dances and works inspired by Nova Scotian people and places. With members from across the province, The Thistles share the joy, community, and lifelong physical and mental benefits of this beloved social dance tradition.
The Worthen School of Highland Dance
The Worthen School of Highland Dance, founded and directed by Jennifer Worthen, is a respected Dartmouth-based dance school dedicated to excellence in Highland dance instruction. With over 40 years of teaching experience, the school has produced successful competitive dancers at the provincial and national levels while fostering confidence, discipline, sportsmanship, and a strong appreciation for Scottish culture and tradition.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.