Five Things to Know Before You Go: Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
Natalie MacMaster returns to Worcester for the first time since 2013, this time joined by husband, Donnell Leahy. Reserve your tickets today to see the fierce fiddling duo in Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond, presented by Music Worcester, and read on for to learn more about the couple before their Friday, March 15 performance.
Musical DNA
Natalie and Donnell are both from famous musical families. The Leahy band has won multiple Juno® Awards and were the subject of the Academy® Award-winning documentary, “Leahy: Most Music of All.” Natalie is one of many musicians in her family, including renowned fiddler, Buddy MacMaster, and is a distant cousin of former White Stripe, Jack White.
Family Ties
The pair fiddled their way into each others hearts and married in 2002. They have seven children together, four of whom will be joining them on our stage.
Lifelong Experience
Natalie began playing the fiddle at the age of nine and made her performing debut the same year at a square dance in Glencoe Mills, Nova Scotia. When she was 16, she released her first album, “Four on the Floor.”
Donnell, the oldest of 11 siblings, grew up performing and touring. He started playing the fiddle at age three and says he hasn’t put it down since.
Raising Awareness
Both Natalie and Donnell are from Canada. In 2008, they were awarded honorary doctorate degrees by Trent University for their musical achievements and cultural impact on the Celtic community.
