Featuring performers by Dr. Ellen MacPhee (Smallpipes), Mr. Ward MacDonald (Guitar/Fiddle/Piano) and fresh from their Temple Bar TradFest performance in Dublin, Ireland, the Dartmouth & District Pipe Band. Open ceilidh to follow.
The doors open at 7:00, music starts at 8:00.
Dr. Ellen MacPhee
Scottish Smallpipes, Border pipes
A native of Summerside, PEI, Ellen MacPhee began her piping journey with the Caledonia Pipe Band, the group that eventually evolved into the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada. As one of its original students, Ellen dedicated her early teenage years to studying at the College and competing with its pipe band. Also as a student, Ellen attended many summer sessions at the Gaelic College in St. Anne’s, Cape Breton studying step and highland dancing, highland piping, and eventually Scottish smallpipes.
Ellen was introduced to the smallpipes in the summer of 1993 by Hamish Moore of Scotland. The influence of this meeting continues to guide her musical path. In the last few years, Ellen has focused her time on the smallpipes and more recently border pipes, playing in dance halls and on stages around the Maritime Provinces, Ontario, and the Eastern United States. She has instructed smallpiping for several summers at the Gaelic College and was pleased to teach at their first International camp in Vermont in 2004.
In August 2005, Ellen was invited to Vermont where she had the great honour of teaching at Hamish Moore’s piping school in Richmond. She was also a guest at the Killington Piper’s Gathering in 2005 and 2009 where she taught, performed, and delivered seminars on The Prevention of Overuse Injuries in Musicians.
Ellen performed in the Piper’s Ceilidh at the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton in both 2005 and 2006 where she shared the stage with many international artists.
Ward MacDonald
PEI Scottish Fiddle/Piano Accompaniment
Ward MacDonald grew up in the Scottish fiddling traditions of Prince Edward Island. His playing style reflects four generations of family fiddling and is spiced with a unique combination of Cape Breton, Acadian, and Irish influences. Ward has been a performer, composer, and teacher for the past 14 years.
Ward has been featured at concerts, festivals, and square dances across Atlantic Canada as well as Ontario, Quebec, and the Yukon. He has also taught and performed at fiddle camps in Yukon, Vermont, Maine, and the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp.
As a teacher Ward possesses a thorough technical understanding of the music with a knack for explaining it in simple terms. His method includes intense ear training aided by written sheet music. Ward’s most recent project is founding the first-ever PEI Fiddle Camp.