Why Natalie MacMaster is my role model
Since I was the tender age of twelve, I’ve been inspired by Natalie’s epic playing. Her strong and willful attitude inspired me all the way through my teen and early adult years. I wanted to be just like her, to emulate that love for music through the instrument that became my soundboard: the fiddle. The moment I saw her, back at the Grand Theater at the performing arts centre of my hometown, I waited all jittery in line in anticipation for her to sign my newly beloved album CD that I had just bought. Her fingers flew like fireworks across her soundboard and I wanted to know how she did it.
I started by dusting off my great grandfathers Irish fiddle that was kept underneath an old French-themed amoire. I knew it was there as a little girl, but it just sat there as a decoration. And sometimes we would dust it off for St. Patrick’s Day and dance around to Irish whiskey songs as a kid, pretending to play. But something was calling me. The music itself was calling me. And I answered its call.
Ten plus something years later I’m still fiddling with the bow. It all started through the magic of a beautiful performance, and to Natalie and her family I am truly grateful. I was able to attend their family’s music camp, The Leahy Music Camp up in Ontario, Canada which I totally recommend if you’re a music lover. I watched her family grow throughout the years and hoped that I’d have a musical family of my own someday.
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