![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/melody.jpeg?1704503613)
Melody Cameron - Host, Dance Instructor and Speaker
Melody Cameron is an accomplished Cape Breton style step dancer and fiddler with over 40 years of dance experience. From a young age, she performed and taught with her sister Kelly at venues throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Western Newfoundland. Through the 1980's, they appeared four times on ATV television's "Up Home Tonight" and were filmed for a BBC documentary "Down Home". Towards the late 1980's, they were part of the group "Highland Classic". Other members of that group included Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Wendy MacIsaac, Rodney MacDonald, Stephanie Wills and Jackie Dunn. In the spring of 1998, Melody worked as a choreographer for The Rankins, one of Canada's foremost folk groups. In 2005 Melody and Kelly danced on The Rankin Sisters' televised Christmas special, "Home for Christmas" which aired on Canada's Bravo! network.
Melody and her husband Derrick are very active in Cape Breton’s traditional music and dance scene. They perform music together for dances, pubs, concerts and festivals throughout Cape Breton Island, Ontario and the New England States and have taught workshops and performed at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2010 and at the Barga School of Scots Music, Song and Dance in Italy in 2016 and 2017. Melody and Derrick served as board members of Comunn Féis Mhàbu from 2004 to 2016. This Mabou based organization worked to support both children and adults in their pursuits to learn more about Cape Breton's Gaelic culture through various programs and events. Melody and Derrick are currently board members of West Mabou Development Association. This non-profit association hosts one of Cape Breton’s longest running square dances, The West Mabou Family Dance, which features some of Cape Breton’s finest traditional musicians and has been offering weekly square dances for all ages since 1988. Another recent dance event for Melody was a trip to Quebec City to teach workshops with fellow instructors Nic Gareiss, Normand Legault, Michel Bordeleau (foot tapping) and Pierre Chartrand for Danse traditionnelle Québec in the fall of 2018. Melody was invited by Irish sean nos dancer Edwina Guckian to do online performance and step dance instruction in April of 2021 for the Leitrim Dance Project based in Ireland.
One of Melody’s more recent dance related activities has been to help establish Dance Dialects. Since 2017, this unique and informative event is hosted by West Mabou Development Association in association with Celtic Colours International Festival and is held in October at West Mabou Hall. Dance Dialects is an exploration of different percussive dance styles. It features discussion and performances by local and visiting dancers and allows for some audience participation. Some of Dance Dialects past guests include Edwina Guckian, Dominic Desrochers, Mary Frances MacMaster Leahy, Emma O'Sullivan, Pierre Chartrand, John Pellerin, Mac Morin, Nic Gareiss and April Verch.
In the summer of 2017, Melody started the Mabou School of Cape Breton Step Dance featuring some of Cape Breton’s finest instructors and a series of presentations focusing on step dance related topics. This week of step dance and set dance instruction was repeated in 2018 and 2019. It was not possible to offer the school in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, but Melody was pleased to offer a week of dance and music in August of 2022 and July 2023. She will offer the school again in 2024. The goals for the school are not only to offer high quality dance instruction, but also to give a well rounded Mabou, Cape Breton experience.
Melody Cameron is an accomplished Cape Breton style step dancer and fiddler with over 40 years of dance experience. From a young age, she performed and taught with her sister Kelly at venues throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Western Newfoundland. Through the 1980's, they appeared four times on ATV television's "Up Home Tonight" and were filmed for a BBC documentary "Down Home". Towards the late 1980's, they were part of the group "Highland Classic". Other members of that group included Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Wendy MacIsaac, Rodney MacDonald, Stephanie Wills and Jackie Dunn. In the spring of 1998, Melody worked as a choreographer for The Rankins, one of Canada's foremost folk groups. In 2005 Melody and Kelly danced on The Rankin Sisters' televised Christmas special, "Home for Christmas" which aired on Canada's Bravo! network.
Melody and her husband Derrick are very active in Cape Breton’s traditional music and dance scene. They perform music together for dances, pubs, concerts and festivals throughout Cape Breton Island, Ontario and the New England States and have taught workshops and performed at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2010 and at the Barga School of Scots Music, Song and Dance in Italy in 2016 and 2017. Melody and Derrick served as board members of Comunn Féis Mhàbu from 2004 to 2016. This Mabou based organization worked to support both children and adults in their pursuits to learn more about Cape Breton's Gaelic culture through various programs and events. Melody and Derrick are currently board members of West Mabou Development Association. This non-profit association hosts one of Cape Breton’s longest running square dances, The West Mabou Family Dance, which features some of Cape Breton’s finest traditional musicians and has been offering weekly square dances for all ages since 1988. Another recent dance event for Melody was a trip to Quebec City to teach workshops with fellow instructors Nic Gareiss, Normand Legault, Michel Bordeleau (foot tapping) and Pierre Chartrand for Danse traditionnelle Québec in the fall of 2018. Melody was invited by Irish sean nos dancer Edwina Guckian to do online performance and step dance instruction in April of 2021 for the Leitrim Dance Project based in Ireland.
One of Melody’s more recent dance related activities has been to help establish Dance Dialects. Since 2017, this unique and informative event is hosted by West Mabou Development Association in association with Celtic Colours International Festival and is held in October at West Mabou Hall. Dance Dialects is an exploration of different percussive dance styles. It features discussion and performances by local and visiting dancers and allows for some audience participation. Some of Dance Dialects past guests include Edwina Guckian, Dominic Desrochers, Mary Frances MacMaster Leahy, Emma O'Sullivan, Pierre Chartrand, John Pellerin, Mac Morin, Nic Gareiss and April Verch.
In the summer of 2017, Melody started the Mabou School of Cape Breton Step Dance featuring some of Cape Breton’s finest instructors and a series of presentations focusing on step dance related topics. This week of step dance and set dance instruction was repeated in 2018 and 2019. It was not possible to offer the school in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic, but Melody was pleased to offer a week of dance and music in August of 2022 and July 2023. She will offer the school again in 2024. The goals for the school are not only to offer high quality dance instruction, but also to give a well rounded Mabou, Cape Breton experience.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/jenny.jpeg?1704507506)
Jenny MacKenzie - Dance Instructor
Jenny has been dancing since as long as she can remember. Having been blessed to grow up in Cape Breton with a very musical extended family and coming from a long line of piping and dance traditions, she gained a thorough appreciation and love for Gaelic culture. She has worked as a professional dancer since 2005, touring and performing in musical theatre throughout Canada, the United States and the UK! Having the opportunity to perform with productions such as DRUM!, The Ships of 1801, Fileanta, Nuallan, Coastal Rhythms, Pogey, Nova Scotia Here and Now, The Beaton Sisters Band, Squid Precision Drummers, and many more, her love of performance has taken her far. Some favourite highlights include performances at The Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Parliament Hill on Canada Day, Massey Hall in Toronto and Dollywood Festival of Nations. As a dancer, choreographer, dance trainer, step dance teacher and yoga teacher she is now running her own business, Dannsair Fitness and Wellness in Inverness County and continues to contribute and surround herself in Gaelic culture. Jenny produced, wrote and directed a Gaelic short film, Slighe Agnais | A Journey For Agnes that premiered in November 2018.
Jenny has been dancing since as long as she can remember. Having been blessed to grow up in Cape Breton with a very musical extended family and coming from a long line of piping and dance traditions, she gained a thorough appreciation and love for Gaelic culture. She has worked as a professional dancer since 2005, touring and performing in musical theatre throughout Canada, the United States and the UK! Having the opportunity to perform with productions such as DRUM!, The Ships of 1801, Fileanta, Nuallan, Coastal Rhythms, Pogey, Nova Scotia Here and Now, The Beaton Sisters Band, Squid Precision Drummers, and many more, her love of performance has taken her far. Some favourite highlights include performances at The Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Parliament Hill on Canada Day, Massey Hall in Toronto and Dollywood Festival of Nations. As a dancer, choreographer, dance trainer, step dance teacher and yoga teacher she is now running her own business, Dannsair Fitness and Wellness in Inverness County and continues to contribute and surround herself in Gaelic culture. Jenny produced, wrote and directed a Gaelic short film, Slighe Agnais | A Journey For Agnes that premiered in November 2018.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/cheryl-macq.jpg?1704504652)
Cheryl MacQuarrie -Dance Instructor
Cheryl grew up in Westmount, Cape Breton, always surrounded by music and traveling around the Island for concerts, ceilidhs, and dances. Coming from a musical household and family, it’s no wonder she took to dancing at a young age. Cheryl has taught and performed both at home and overseas, and led the way for many in special square dance workshops across Cape Breton. Now living in Mabou with her family, she is kept busy teaching regular classes for youth and introduced a new dance/exercise class to Inverness County called ‘Stepp’eroffasize.‘
Cheryl grew up in Westmount, Cape Breton, always surrounded by music and traveling around the Island for concerts, ceilidhs, and dances. Coming from a musical household and family, it’s no wonder she took to dancing at a young age. Cheryl has taught and performed both at home and overseas, and led the way for many in special square dance workshops across Cape Breton. Now living in Mabou with her family, she is kept busy teaching regular classes for youth and introduced a new dance/exercise class to Inverness County called ‘Stepp’eroffasize.‘
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/editor/dawn-beaton.jpeg?1704504645)
Dawn Beaton - Dance Instructor
Dawn hails from Mabou, Cape Breton and has been playing fiddle, and step dancing for over 30 years. Music has been at the forefront of her life, surrounded by it through an infusion from her parents, her relatives, and living in the vibrant community of Mabou. Along with her musical sister, Margie, in 2008 they decided to release their debut album, Taste of Gaelic. It led to opportunities right from the CD release to attend one of the largest Celtic festivals in the world, the Lorient Interceltique Festival in Lorient, France. From there the sisters have traveled and taught in Scotland, England, Brazil, China, Ireland and the United States, not to mention a Nova Scotia Music week nomination and an ECMA win for Roots/Traditional Duo or Group Recording of the Year - 2010. Dawn has worked at the Celtic Colours International Festival since 2009 as Artistic Director and fully programs all 52 shows in the festival. Additionally, Dawn serves on various volunteer boards and makes it a point to volunteer her musical skills to many worthwhile local charities.
Dawn hails from Mabou, Cape Breton and has been playing fiddle, and step dancing for over 30 years. Music has been at the forefront of her life, surrounded by it through an infusion from her parents, her relatives, and living in the vibrant community of Mabou. Along with her musical sister, Margie, in 2008 they decided to release their debut album, Taste of Gaelic. It led to opportunities right from the CD release to attend one of the largest Celtic festivals in the world, the Lorient Interceltique Festival in Lorient, France. From there the sisters have traveled and taught in Scotland, England, Brazil, China, Ireland and the United States, not to mention a Nova Scotia Music week nomination and an ECMA win for Roots/Traditional Duo or Group Recording of the Year - 2010. Dawn has worked at the Celtic Colours International Festival since 2009 as Artistic Director and fully programs all 52 shows in the festival. Additionally, Dawn serves on various volunteer boards and makes it a point to volunteer her musical skills to many worthwhile local charities.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/gerard-beaton.png?1704505349)
Gerard Beaton - Dance Instructor
Gerard Beaton was born and raised in South West Mabou, Cape Breton. He began step dancing at the age of 5, if his memory serves him well. He was fortunate to take lessons from great Cape Breton step dancers such as Mary Janet MacDonald, Rodney MacDonald, and many more. Even though he is a very skilled step dancer, Gerard still considers himself a student; taking any opportunity to share, learn, and practice his steps with anyone and everyone. Presently, Gerard finds himself living in Prince Edward Island working as a high school teacher.
Gerard Beaton was born and raised in South West Mabou, Cape Breton. He began step dancing at the age of 5, if his memory serves him well. He was fortunate to take lessons from great Cape Breton step dancers such as Mary Janet MacDonald, Rodney MacDonald, and many more. Even though he is a very skilled step dancer, Gerard still considers himself a student; taking any opportunity to share, learn, and practice his steps with anyone and everyone. Presently, Gerard finds himself living in Prince Edward Island working as a high school teacher.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/harvey-head-shot-1.jpg?1704505638)
Harvey Beaton - Dance Instructor
Harvey was raised in Port Hastings on the island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He began step-dancing at age 14 and soon found himself dancing in the summer Scottish concert circuit in Cape Breton and various parts of the Maritimes. Besides being an accomplished dancer, Harvey has been in great demand as a step-dance instructor and has performed and taught in many parts of Canada, the US, and Europe. In the states, he led workshops in many places including Alasdair Fraser’s Valley of the Moon School of Scottish Fiddling; Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington; the National Folk Festival; and at the Washington Irish Festival. Overseas, Harvey has danced in Ireland at the University College Cork and for Irish Television in Dublin. He was a step-dance tutor for many years at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Skye and was a featured artist at the 2005 Feis Ross in Ullapool. For three years, Harvey taught step-dancing and performed at Ceòlas, a Gaelic Music Summer School in the Hebrides. Although he is primarily known as a dancer, Harvey Beaton can sometimes be found playing piano accompaniment for Cape Breton fiddlers.
Harvey was raised in Port Hastings on the island of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He began step-dancing at age 14 and soon found himself dancing in the summer Scottish concert circuit in Cape Breton and various parts of the Maritimes. Besides being an accomplished dancer, Harvey has been in great demand as a step-dance instructor and has performed and taught in many parts of Canada, the US, and Europe. In the states, he led workshops in many places including Alasdair Fraser’s Valley of the Moon School of Scottish Fiddling; Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington; the National Folk Festival; and at the Washington Irish Festival. Overseas, Harvey has danced in Ireland at the University College Cork and for Irish Television in Dublin. He was a step-dance tutor for many years at Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College in Skye and was a featured artist at the 2005 Feis Ross in Ullapool. For three years, Harvey taught step-dancing and performed at Ceòlas, a Gaelic Music Summer School in the Hebrides. Although he is primarily known as a dancer, Harvey Beaton can sometimes be found playing piano accompaniment for Cape Breton fiddlers.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/john-pellerin-photo.jpeg?1704505698)
John Pellerin - Dance Instructor
Originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, John started dancing at age 4 and began fiddle lessons at the age of ten under the direction of Stan Chapman. John’s father Kenneth is a fiddle player who has played for dances for years in the Antigonish area as well his grandmother on his mother's side is a Beaton from the Mabou Coal Mines. Dancing and fiddling has brought John throughout Canada, USA and Ireland. John has played the fiddle and dance alongside Buddy MacMaster, Winnie Chafe, the late John Morris, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, among others.
Originally from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, John started dancing at age 4 and began fiddle lessons at the age of ten under the direction of Stan Chapman. John’s father Kenneth is a fiddle player who has played for dances for years in the Antigonish area as well his grandmother on his mother's side is a Beaton from the Mabou Coal Mines. Dancing and fiddling has brought John throughout Canada, USA and Ireland. John has played the fiddle and dance alongside Buddy MacMaster, Winnie Chafe, the late John Morris, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, among others.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/shelly-c.png?1704505983)
Shelly Campbell - Discussion Guest and Fiddler for Square Set Workshop
Born and raised on West Bay Road, Inverness County, Shelly Campbell has been playing traditional Cape Breton music for more than 30 years. Her playing is powerful, lively and graceful, deeply-rooted in the traditions she grew up listening to. She was influenced by local fiddlers Stephanie Wills, Theresa MacLellan, Gertie Coffin, and Alex Francis MacKay among others. Shelly plays at many local concerts, pubs, and festivals and is a popular player for dances. Although she usually stays close to home, Shelly has taught and played throughout the Maritimes as well as in Ontario, Ireland, Scotland, and Denmark. She also has an avid interest in the Gaelic language and its preservation on Cape Breton and continues to work on her own fluency. She sits on the board of the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre and has helped to develop the Féis Cape Breton program through the Centre. Shelly is currently teaching Junior High School math and science as well as Gaelic language grades 4-9.
Born and raised on West Bay Road, Inverness County, Shelly Campbell has been playing traditional Cape Breton music for more than 30 years. Her playing is powerful, lively and graceful, deeply-rooted in the traditions she grew up listening to. She was influenced by local fiddlers Stephanie Wills, Theresa MacLellan, Gertie Coffin, and Alex Francis MacKay among others. Shelly plays at many local concerts, pubs, and festivals and is a popular player for dances. Although she usually stays close to home, Shelly has taught and played throughout the Maritimes as well as in Ontario, Ireland, Scotland, and Denmark. She also has an avid interest in the Gaelic language and its preservation on Cape Breton and continues to work on her own fluency. She sits on the board of the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre and has helped to develop the Féis Cape Breton program through the Centre. Shelly is currently teaching Junior High School math and science as well as Gaelic language grades 4-9.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/allan-dewar.png?1704506011)
Allan Dewar - Discussion Guest and Piano Accompanist for Square Set Workshop
Growing up in Halifax and Antigonish, Allan picked up the music at home. There was no formal training of any sort, but many folks would drop by the house for tunes. Allan learned by ear and he attended every concert, dance and house party he could. For many years he toured with well-known Cape Breton artists such as Jerry Holland and Natalie MacMaster, but these days, Allan mostly accompanies local fiddlers at dances, concerts and ceilidhs.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/img-0184.jpg?1578008662)
Hilary Romard - Square Dance Instructor (Sydney Set)
Hilary Romard was born and raised in New Waterford, NS. At 42, he made the decision to stop playing intermediate hockey. Looking for a way to keep active, Hilary decided to take his first lesson in step dancing and has never looked back! In 2000, at the insistence of Elmer Fraser, Hilary finally attended a square set in Baddeck for Celtic Colors. He soon became a regular at square sets held throughout the Sydney area. In 2004, Hilary was approached by a group of ladies from the New Waterford area to teach them how to do a square set. This was the start of his weekly square set lessons which continue today. Learning a variety of sets from Hilary, the class visits and dances for various nursing homes and the international students at CBU. Hilary continues to take step dancing lessons and attends square sets and fiddle sessions whenever the opportunity arises...which is quite often!
Hilary Romard was born and raised in New Waterford, NS. At 42, he made the decision to stop playing intermediate hockey. Looking for a way to keep active, Hilary decided to take his first lesson in step dancing and has never looked back! In 2000, at the insistence of Elmer Fraser, Hilary finally attended a square set in Baddeck for Celtic Colors. He soon became a regular at square sets held throughout the Sydney area. In 2004, Hilary was approached by a group of ladies from the New Waterford area to teach them how to do a square set. This was the start of his weekly square set lessons which continue today. Learning a variety of sets from Hilary, the class visits and dances for various nursing homes and the international students at CBU. Hilary continues to take step dancing lessons and attends square sets and fiddle sessions whenever the opportunity arises...which is quite often!
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/img-0182-1.jpg?1578008721)
Neil Poirier - Square Dance Instructor (Cheticamp Set)
Neil Poirier hails from Cheticamp and was exposed to dance at a very young age by his parents. They taught ballroom dancing locally and his mother took up step dancing a bit later on. His exposure to square dancing was through Medric LeFort, the school music teacher, who showed students the dance formations of the Cheticamp style square sets. He later taught Neil to prompt and teach square sets. In 1990, Neil and 3 other dance teachers from around CB were commissioned by the N.S. Dept of Education to create a teacher's manual of the different forms of square dancing from all around CB, to be taught and preserved in schools. The last number of years, Neil has been teaching and prompting Cheticamp square sets locally, and throughout CB with the Roots to Boots Festival. Neil can also be seen occasionally, dancing up a storm at a dance in Inverness County.
Neil Poirier hails from Cheticamp and was exposed to dance at a very young age by his parents. They taught ballroom dancing locally and his mother took up step dancing a bit later on. His exposure to square dancing was through Medric LeFort, the school music teacher, who showed students the dance formations of the Cheticamp style square sets. He later taught Neil to prompt and teach square sets. In 1990, Neil and 3 other dance teachers from around CB were commissioned by the N.S. Dept of Education to create a teacher's manual of the different forms of square dancing from all around CB, to be taught and preserved in schools. The last number of years, Neil has been teaching and prompting Cheticamp square sets locally, and throughout CB with the Roots to Boots Festival. Neil can also be seen occasionally, dancing up a storm at a dance in Inverness County.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/editor/hannah.jpg?1704506586)
Hannah Krebs - Discussion Guest
Born and raised in rural Ontario, Hannah Krebs began learning Gaelic when she moved to Nova Scotia for university. She has since gained a deep appreciation for the language and culture and enjoys sharing it with others. She holds a degree in Celtic Studies, and has spent the last number of years working at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum, and teaching Gaelic language classes in the community. In her spare time, she enjoys music, dancing, visiting, and getting to know this beautiful part of the world and the people in it better.
Born and raised in rural Ontario, Hannah Krebs began learning Gaelic when she moved to Nova Scotia for university. She has since gained a deep appreciation for the language and culture and enjoys sharing it with others. She holds a degree in Celtic Studies, and has spent the last number of years working at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum, and teaching Gaelic language classes in the community. In her spare time, she enjoys music, dancing, visiting, and getting to know this beautiful part of the world and the people in it better.
Kenneth MacKenzie - Fiddler for Square Set Workshop
Kenneth MacKenzie is a piper and fiddler, raised in a Gaelic-speaking and musical family in Mabou, Cape Breton. Kenneth’s music makes him an in-demand performer at dances, concerts, and festivals at home and further afield. He is an accomplished recording artist and, along with his brother Angus (Dàimh, Seudan), recorded and released the album Pìob is Fìdheall, nominated for both Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Awards. Kenneth is the Director of Education and VP of Beinn Mhàbu, Colaisde na Gàidhlig and a founding Director of the first Gaelic immersion school outwith Scotland, Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide. Kenneth currently lives in Mabou with his wife Jenny and their three young children.
‘S ann à Màbu, Ceap Breatuinn a tha Coinneach MacCoinnich agus chaidh a thogail am measg cànain ‘s ceòl nan Gàidheal. Tha e air cliù a thogail mar fidhlear ‘s piobaire beòthail, ‘s an t-seann nòs, ‘s e trang a’ teagasg agus ag éirigh air puirt gu h-ionadail agus air feadh an t-saoghail. Chuir e fhéin ‘s a bhràthair Aonghas (Dàimh, Seudan) mach clàr – Pìob is Fidheall – a chaidh ainmeachadh anns na duaisean Music Nova Scotia agus East Coast Music.
Tha e nise na Stiùiriche Foghlaim aig Colaisde na Gàidhlig ann an Ceap Breatuinn, agus a’ cuideachadh leis a’ chiad sgoil Ghàidhlig air taobh a-muigh na h-Albainn – Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide. Tha e fhéin ‘s a bhean, Jenny, a’ fuireach ann am Màbu leis an cuid cloinneadh.
Kenneth MacKenzie is a piper and fiddler, raised in a Gaelic-speaking and musical family in Mabou, Cape Breton. Kenneth’s music makes him an in-demand performer at dances, concerts, and festivals at home and further afield. He is an accomplished recording artist and, along with his brother Angus (Dàimh, Seudan), recorded and released the album Pìob is Fìdheall, nominated for both Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Awards. Kenneth is the Director of Education and VP of Beinn Mhàbu, Colaisde na Gàidhlig and a founding Director of the first Gaelic immersion school outwith Scotland, Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide. Kenneth currently lives in Mabou with his wife Jenny and their three young children.
‘S ann à Màbu, Ceap Breatuinn a tha Coinneach MacCoinnich agus chaidh a thogail am measg cànain ‘s ceòl nan Gàidheal. Tha e air cliù a thogail mar fidhlear ‘s piobaire beòthail, ‘s an t-seann nòs, ‘s e trang a’ teagasg agus ag éirigh air puirt gu h-ionadail agus air feadh an t-saoghail. Chuir e fhéin ‘s a bhràthair Aonghas (Dàimh, Seudan) mach clàr – Pìob is Fidheall – a chaidh ainmeachadh anns na duaisean Music Nova Scotia agus East Coast Music.
Tha e nise na Stiùiriche Foghlaim aig Colaisde na Gàidhlig ann an Ceap Breatuinn, agus a’ cuideachadh leis a’ chiad sgoil Ghàidhlig air taobh a-muigh na h-Albainn – Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide. Tha e fhéin ‘s a bhean, Jenny, a’ fuireach ann am Màbu leis an cuid cloinneadh.
![Picture](/uploads/3/4/7/8/34780434/published/img-0525.jpg?1704507175)
Kevin Dugas - Discussion Guest
Born in Inverness, Cape Breton, Kevin Dugas has been playing the great highland bagpipe for more than 25 years. Growing up he was surrounded by family and local tradition bearers who played the fiddle, piano, pipes, and step danced. Kevin was inspired musically by his Scottish and Acadian roots, and the many great traditional musicians from Inverness County. With a family history of piping and music tradition, notably among his great-grandfather’s family, Hughie Dan MacDonnell of Deepdale Road, Kevin took to the pipes early, beginning at 10 years of age. As a professional class competitive bagpiper and composer, Kevin traveled the world as a member of the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Grade 1 Pipe Band for 17 years. Kevin currently competes with the Peel Regional Police grade 2 pipe band based out of Brampton, Ontario. Some of Kevin’s influential piping mentors over the years include John MacLean, Bruce Gandy, Matt MacIsaac, and Alasdair Gillies. Kevin has also performed with the traditional piping group Nuallan at festivals locally and internationally including the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Currently, Kevin works full time as a Healthcare Social Worker at the Halifax Infirmary within the division of cardiology and cardiac surgery.
Born in Inverness, Cape Breton, Kevin Dugas has been playing the great highland bagpipe for more than 25 years. Growing up he was surrounded by family and local tradition bearers who played the fiddle, piano, pipes, and step danced. Kevin was inspired musically by his Scottish and Acadian roots, and the many great traditional musicians from Inverness County. With a family history of piping and music tradition, notably among his great-grandfather’s family, Hughie Dan MacDonnell of Deepdale Road, Kevin took to the pipes early, beginning at 10 years of age. As a professional class competitive bagpiper and composer, Kevin traveled the world as a member of the 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Grade 1 Pipe Band for 17 years. Kevin currently competes with the Peel Regional Police grade 2 pipe band based out of Brampton, Ontario. Some of Kevin’s influential piping mentors over the years include John MacLean, Bruce Gandy, Matt MacIsaac, and Alasdair Gillies. Kevin has also performed with the traditional piping group Nuallan at festivals locally and internationally including the William Kennedy Piping Festival in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Currently, Kevin works full time as a Healthcare Social Worker at the Halifax Infirmary within the division of cardiology and cardiac surgery.