MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016: Ellen MacDonald

Congratulations to Ellen MacDonald who have been nominated in Gaelic singer of the Year sponsored by Macmeanmna in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. Vote now!

We asked Ellen MacDonald of Ellen MacDonald the following questions.

Tell us about yourself
I am 23, was born and brought up in Inverness and have a strong connection to the Western Isles. I went through Gaelic medium education and then studied on the BA Gaelic and Traditional Music course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye. When I graduated I got the chance to join Dàimh as their singer and have spent most of the last year and a half touring with the band here in Scotland and abroad including the USA and Iceland! As well as performing with Dàimh, I regularly sing with Niteworks, sing solo at various events, appear in the BBC ALBA drama Bannan, do voiceovers for Gaelic cartoons and am involved in several other projects. The most recent being ‘Fuaran’ – a Fèisean nan Gàidheal project where singers were encouraged to source and record less well known songs from their own local community.

Why are you involved in Scottish music?
Gaelic singing has always been a big part of my life at home and school. I was very lucky to have great music and drama teachers in primary school who encouraged my interest in singing and drama and gave us many opportunities to perform. That music teacher formed Canntaireachd, a teenage vocal harmony group, when we started secondary school and I loved the many singing projects we were involved in. This really sparked my interest in researching and performing songs.

Any particular career highlights?
Some highlights include getting to sing a Gaelic translation of their hit “Charlie Darwin” with the Americana band The Low Anthem at Bogbain Farm, performing with Carlos Nunez in California and being able to visit people who are so willing to pass on the songs they know is always a privilege. A constant highlight is getting to travel, perform and meet with so many fantastic people in so many different places around the world.

What are your plans for the future?
To carry on enjoying singing and making the most of every opportunity! Dàimh are heading back to North America next year and this time we'll be visiting Texas, California and Arizona which will be pretty cool! I'm also really looking forward to a couple of projects which involve working on and performing vocal harmony arrangements with other singers. It’s a complete contrast to singing with Dàimh and Niteworks but I enjoy working on different things!

If you would like to come along to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall call the Caird Hall box office on (01382) 434940 or buy online.