Natalie MacMaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Natalie MacMaster
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MacMaster performing in Centralville, Massachusetts, 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Natalie Ann MacMaster |
| Born | June 13, 1972 Troy, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Genres | Cape Breton fiddle music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Fiddle, piano, vocals |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | Rounder Records |
| Associated acts | Buddy MacMaster Donnell Leahy |
Natalie MacMaster is a famous Canadian fiddler born on June 13, 1972. She comes from Troy, Nova Scotia, and is known for playing lively Cape Breton fiddle music. Natalie has performed with many well-known artists like the Chieftains, Faith Hill, and Carlos Santana. She has even recorded music with Yo-Yo Ma, a famous cellist. Natalie has also played at big music festivals such as Celtic Colours in Cape Breton, Celtic Connections in Scotland, and MerleFest in the United States.
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About Natalie MacMaster
Natalie MacMaster grew up in a musical family. Her parents are Alex and Minnie MacMaster. She has two brothers, Kevin and David. Her uncle, Buddy MacMaster, was also a very famous Cape Breton fiddler. Natalie is also related to other fiddlers like Ashley MacIsaac and Andrea Beaton.
In 2002, Natalie married another talented fiddler, Donnell Leahy. He is part of the well-known Leahy family band. After they married, Natalie moved to Lakefield, Ontario. They have seven children together, and all of their children also play the fiddle! Natalie and Donnell often perform and record music as a duo. Sometimes, their children even join them on stage.
Natalie's Musical Journey
Natalie MacMaster started playing the fiddle when she was just nine years old. She gave her first public performance that same year at a square dance in Glencoe Mills, Nova Scotia.
When she was 16, Natalie released her first album, Four on the Floor. A few years later, in 1991, she released her second album, Road to the Isle. These early albums were first available on cassette tapes. Later, Rounder Records re-released some of her early songs as an album called A Compilation in 1998. In 1999, she performed at the Juno Awards, which are like the Grammy Awards for Canadian music.
Over the years, Natalie has added new styles to her music. While her roots are in Cape Breton music, she also mixes in sounds from Scotland and Ireland. She even includes American bluegrass in her performances.
In 2004, Natalie appeared on a special TV concert for the children's music group Sharon, Lois & Bram. It was called 25 Years of Skinnamarink. She performed two songs with them, "C-H-I-C-K-E-N" and "Grandpa's Farm".
Awards and Recognitions
Natalie MacMaster has won many important Canadian music awards. She has received several "Artist of the Year" awards from the East Coast Music Association. She also has two Juno Awards for best instrumental album. The Canadian Country Music Association even named her "Fiddler of the Year."
In 2006, Natalie received an honorary doctorate degree from Niagara University in New York. That same year, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive. In 2020, she also became a member of the Order of Nova Scotia. Most recently, in 2023, Natalie was added to the Canadian Fiddle Hall of Honour at the Canadian Grand Masters event in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Natalie's Albums
Natalie MacMaster has released many albums throughout her career. Here are some of her notable ones:
- Four on the Floor (1989)
- Road to the Isle (1991)
- Fit as a Fiddle (1993)
- No Boundaries (1997)
- In My Hands (1999)
- My Roots Are Showing (2000)
- Blueprint (2003)
- One (2015) – with her husband, Donnell Leahy
- A Celtic Family Christmas (2016) – also with Donnell Leahy
- Sketches (2019)
- Canvas (2023) – with Donnell Leahy
Other Music Appearances
Natalie MacMaster has also appeared on other music projects and albums:
- Traditional Music From Cape Breton Island (1993)
- Celtic Colours – The Road Home (1997)
- Celtic Colours – The Second Wave (1998)
- Celtic Colours – Forgotten Roots (1999)
- Roots Music: An American Journey (2001)
- Songs for the Savoy (2001)
- Celtic Colours — The Colours of Cape Breton (2002)
- Celtic Colours — Volume VII (2003)
- The Rough Guide to the Music of Canada (2005)
- Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs of Joy and Peace (2008) – she played on "A Christmas Jig/Mouth of the Tobique Reel"
- Thomas Dolby: Amerikana EP (2010) – she played on "Toad Lickers" and "17 Hills"
