Norman MacKay

Norman Mackay's

As well as the standard trio we also offer a variety of line ups and instruments, including guitar, piano, twin fiddles or second accordion in trio, 4 piece or duo lineups all available with disco combination.

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for a list of venues played.

Norman Mackay: (Accordion/Caller)

Originally from Nairn in the Highlands of Scotland, Norman has been playing button accordion since early childhood.

Shortly after moving to Edinburgh in 2002 he turned fully professional.

Norman was the all Scotland button accordion champion 2004. His compositions have received air play on both local and national radio stations and are becoming increasingly popular in folk music circles with well known musicians such as Kevin McLeod, Mike and Ali Vass having covered some of the tunes.

In 2005 he was approached by Friday Harbour radio in Argentina and asked to present a Scottish folk music special, The fifty minute show came live from Edinburgh fringe festival and featured some of Scotland's top musicians and bands. The show proved to be so popular that it was recently re-aired.

He has recently released his debut album "The perfect squeeze"

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to see a typical dance list.

Emma Pethybridge: (Fiddle/Caller)

Emma joined the Ceilidh Experience in September 2004 after meeting Norman on the folk scene in Edinburgh and they also play together in the five-piece folk band, Cunntas. Trained classically primarily (BA Joint Honours Music/Hispanic Studies) Emma began playing traditional and folk music through the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop learning from great players such as Chris Stout and Aiden O’Rourke. She has travelled the world with her fiddle, studying tango in Argentina and playing with Quinteto Nostalgico. Back in Edinburgh she is a regular player with the Meadows Chamber Orchestra and has a keen interest in improvisation playing in 03/04 with the Tolbooth Improvisers Orchestra. Emma also works as a music therapist having completed a postgraduate diploma in music therapy (Nordoff-Robbins) in 2004.

Carrie Thomas: (Fiddle/Caller)

Carrie's first introduction to the folk music scene was through the youth gaitherin out of which she formed the ceilidh band Cuchulain's raven which became notorious in Edinburgh for its unpronounceable name and half hour long strip the willow sets!

She originally trained in classical music before taking up folk and receiving tuition from some of Scotland's finest fiddlers including Alasdair Fraser and Gavin Marwick.

She also performs with "Busk Till Dawn" as part of a duo with well known harpist and singer Rosie Morton.

Richard Corral: (Drums)

Richard has drummed with The Ceilidh Experience since returning to Scotland from Canada in 2004. While in Canada, Richard played a lot of ice hockey but also took time out to win the coveted Notre Dame Music Award for being an awesome drummer.

This accolade was a welcome addition to the many awards Richard has won at Scottish Music Festivals since he begun drumming 12 years ago.

His rhythm, energy and stylish grooves together with his extrovert personality have made him a popular addition to the band.