Leahy Music Camp

I hope everyone is having a nice summer so far. I have so much to report from this last month but I'll try to send it out sporadically over the course of the summer.

You all need to purchase this CD.
Find it on Amazon.ca here!

Leahy Camp in Lakefield Ontario
This camp ran from Sunday June 29th to Friday July 4th at the beautiful Lakefield College School in Lakefield Ontario. If you haven't heard of the family fiddle group Leahy (the lead fiddler Donnell Leahy is married to Natalie MacMaster) they are an incredible Canadian Fiddle group that I have been following since I was about 12. It was so exciting to finally get to go to this camp. Although, Donnell and Natalie couldn't make it this year, the week was filled with so much music and dance and many incredible musicians and instructors.

I spent my mornings learning new fiddle tunes and techniques from some incredible performers (see below) and my afternoons brushing up on my step dancing skills. The evenings consisted of incredible concerts put on by the instructors. My mom attended with me and she studied piano accompaniment technique to fiddle music and even some tin whistle and vocal lessons! We made a recording, had numerous jam sessions, performed on stage, learned a clog step, shopped, ate, practiced. Although we were only gone for 5 days, it felt like 2 weeks. There was just so much to do.

Next year is the 10 year anniversary of the camp. I expect it is going to be huge, and even more of the big names will be attending. I cannot wait!

Here's a list of some of the great instructors we got to work with this week. Try clicking on their names to check out their websites:

Maria, Erin, Julie, Chrissy, Denise, Siobhean Leahy (Sisters) - piano and vocals

Frank Leahy - drums

Tom Fitzgerald - fiddle

Kerry Fitzgerald - step dance

Tim Chaisson - fiddle

Louis Schryer - fiddle

Daniel Gervais - fiddle

Winifred Horan - fiddle

Seamus Egan - banjo, whistle

Tony McManus - guitar

Stephanie Cadman - step dance

I highly recommend this camp. It is suitable for any age and any skill level. Everything is broken down if needed or challenged if needed. All musical styles are present from fiddle, classical, blues, swing, jazz, gypsy jazz (this was new!), french Canadian, Irish, country, etc. Find more info on the camp here.

The Home County Folk Festival in Victoria Park!

Ashley has a tone of CD`s to purchase
featuring his popular rock infused fiddling
to more traditional Cape Breton styles.

You'll find me there on Saturday July 19th at 1:30 at the center stage listening to Ashley MacIsaac (Cape Breton Rock Fiddler), Rant Maggie Rant (Ontario based Irish folk group featuring Lindsay Shindler!), and Stephanie Cadman (Fiddler and step dancer). All performances at this festival are free!

If you can stay up for it, Ashley MacIsaac will be the last show of the evening at 10:00 pm on the main stage.


The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival!

Those of you who have taken my
fiddle classes might remember what a
Cut technique is.

The festival runs from Friday August 8th to Sunday August 10th. I'll be there on Saturday for the afternoon listening to even more great performers:

On the Main Stage II

Noon: Rant Maggie Rant (Ontario Irish Folk)

2:15 Liz Carroll (Irish American Fiddler)

3:45 Andrea Beaton (Cape Breton NS Fiddler)

5:15 Joy Dunlop (Scottish Gaelic Singer) - incredible! Gaelic singers are rare. Check her out!

There is a fee for this festival, but for the performers they have this year, I'd say its worth it. Shane Cook (Ontario Fiddler) is performing the Sunday afternoon as well. Check out the website for more details.

Fill your summer with music! Get inspired, look for these artists on youtube, purchase cds that you find. You won't be disappointed!