Catriona was brought up in Dundee where she was involved in traditional music firstly through her father who was a member of Scottish folk bands“The Livingstones” and the “Taysiders”. She was introduced to classical and contemporary music by her mother, a ballet and dance teacher.
Catriona became harp champion at the O'Carolan International Harp Festival (Keadue, Co. Roscommon) when leaving school. A desire to master harp techniques to an advanced level took her on to study pedal harp, Celtic harp and electro acoustic composition at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she gained a first class honours BA and several solo and chamber music prizes. She was also the winner of the Jakez Francois International Celtic Harp Competition 2004.
Catriona plays harp and piano in the Shetland-based band “Fiddlers' Bid” with whom she tours worldwide. They received nominations for “Best Contemporary Live Music Presentation” Australian Entertainment Industry Association's Helpmann Awards (2002) and “Best Live Act” at the Scottish Folk Awards(2003). She is also a member of the Chris Stout Quintet who released their first album ‘The First O the Darkenin' in April 2004.
Catriona was voted "Instrumentalist of the Year" in the 2007 Scots Trad Music Awards.
Catriona Mckay picture by Louis De Carlo
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