SARAH BURNELL is a high-energy fiddler in the true Cape Breton and Scottish style. The Sarah Burnell Band‘s programmes are a mix of Celtic song, lively jigs and reels, rhythmic marches and strathspeys, bouncy hornpipes, and haunting celtic airs. Her repertoire comes from Cape Breton (Nova Scotia), Scotland, Québec, and Ireland, often with world-influenced percussion accompaniments. Sarah has a beautiful soprano voice, and likes to include Scottish and Irish songs in her show.
Sarah maintains a lively banter with her audiences, in either English or French. Her introductions include humorous stories and historical snippets about the tunes to be performed. Her audiences are immediately engaged!
The band’s ensemble includes Graham Lindsey on percussion, flute and mandolin, and guitarist Peter McKinnon.
Each performance is uniquely formatted to suit the occasion and the venue.
WORKSHOPS AND CLINICS
SARAH BURNELL is an experienced teacher and workshop leader, and will ably host a workshop at your festival or traditional music event. She enjoys teaching adults and children alike! Some workshop themes that Sarah has used successfully are:“Across the Pond”: The migration of fiddle tunes across the Atlantic
- “Fiddle Facts”: Improving personal violin technique through celtic tunes
- “A Foot in Both Camps”: Meshing your classical and your folk personae
- “A World of Celtic Music”: A sampling of celtic music of many nations
- “It’s All Dance Music to Me”: Celtic dance rhythms through the tunes
PRIVATE FUNCTIONS
THE SARAH BURNELL BAND provides wonderful celtic music for weddings, birthday parties, funerals, and other special events. Upon request, these programmes can also include favourites from the classical repertoire. Each programme is unique, built around the wishes and needs of the client, to suit the occasion and the venue. Check out the weddings page on this site for more information about hiring Sarah and her ensemble for your special event!