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Catriona Macdonald is a proud bearer of one of the world's great fiddle traditions, that of the Shetland Isles. A star pupil of the late Dr Tom Anderson MBE, Catriona at once embodies the strength and spirit of her heritage with the freshness and diversity of a thoroughly modern performer. Her superb playing and great charisma have established her a worldwide reputation.
Catriona began playing as a child back in 1981 under Tammy's masterful musical tutelage. Less than two years later, she took both the title of Young Fiddler of the Year in the annual Shetland Folk Society competition and the deputy leadership of a new fiddle group, Shetland's Young Heritage, set up to help preserve Shetland traditional music and to help Tammy teaching Shetland traditional fiddle to local school children.
In 1991 her dexterity and presence became acknowledged on a wider stage, when she won the prestigious BBC Radio Two Young Tradition Award, a high profile competition featuring the cream of Britain's young traditional players. However, fiddle playing was not her only talent and at the age of eighteen, Catriona found herself studying voice at the Royal College of Music in London (where she met former playing partner accordionist Ian Lowthian). After graduating from four years study it was time to focus on Catriona's first love the Shetland fiddle so she returned to Scotland and started her professional career
Catriona has worked closely with accordionist Ian Lowthian and was behind a fantastic project the String Sisters premiered at Celtic Connections in January 2000, bringing together six of the most exciting female fiddle players in the world. String Sisters features a stellar international line up comprising Liz Carroll (USA), Liz Knowles (USA), Annbjorg Lien (Norway), Natalie MacMaster (Canada) and Altan's Mairead ni Mhaonaigh (Ireland). Catriona is also becoming increasingly well-known as the only girl in the fabulous Scotts band Blazin' Fiddles. |
