Rodney Krip

Rodney is from Saskatoon, SK. He started with classical violin lessons at the age of 8 and has been competing and performing in old time fiddling since the age of 11.

He is a five time Grand Saskatchewan Fiddle Champion and has entertained at various events across Canada, Australia, the Canary Islands, Spain and the U.S.A. At the present time Rodney is a troupe fiddler with the French Canadian dance troupe “La Ribambelle” and is part of the musical trio “The Cleavers”.

Denis Encontre has been playing the fiddle since he was 13. He is a dynamic musician who has had the honour of playing for her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in October 1984 on her royal visit to Canada. He has two solo albums, Funtyme Fiddling and Denis Encontre Fiddling.

In 1982 Denis Encontre went on tour in France with Les Danceurs de la Riviere Rouge and the French family group, Folle Avoine. He has performed at all the major Folk Festivals, including The Winnipeg Folk Festival, and has been playing for Travel Manitoba in places throughout the United States promoting Manitoba’s tourism and multicultural mosaic.

He can be seen annually in Winnipeg at the popular pavilion Canadien-Français during Folklorama and at The Festival du Voyageur.

Troy MacGillivray

Troy MacGillivray’s musical prowess can be attributed to an especially rare combination of commitment and bloodline. By the age of six, Troy was already impressing audiences with his step dancing skills. By 13 he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne’s, Cape Breton. He has completed grade seven of the Toronto Conservatory of Music for classical piano, has spent four years in a string orchestra and has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music from St. Francis Xavier University.

Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his stepdancing capabilities, Troy MacGillivray certainly displays intense commitment to the Celtic heritage he inherited from his Highland ancestors.