Maria Cherwick’s career spans from symphony orchestras, to touring internationally with her Ukrainian speed-folk band, The Kubasonics. Originally from the Canadian Prairies, Maria’s studies and career eventually brought her to St. John’s Newfoundland, where she is currently based. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Brandon University and a Masters of Music from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and has performed, toured and held leadership positions with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and National Academy Orchestra.
Twice named MusicNL “Side Musician of the Year” as well as “Celtic/Traditional Artist of the Year” and “Instrumental Artist of the Year”, Maria maintains a busy performing schedule, dividing her time between several country, folk and bluegrass bands, and is highly sought after as a session musician.
In 2020, Maria published Home From Away, an illustrated book of original fiddle tunes as well as an accompanying CD, and was thrilled to release her first full album in 2024 with her band Jockey Special. With Jockey Special, Maria blends original compositions, traditional fiddle tunes, classical repertoire, and more, creating a unique and modern voice in traditional music.
Born and raised on the East Coast of Canada, fiddler Madeline Carter has always loved being around the music. Having a love for fiddle music, she started lessons at the age of 6 and has
never put the fiddle down since. Originating from the center of the Maritimes in a small town called Aulac, New Brunswick, she has been exposed to multiple genres of music, her favorites being Celtic, Scottish and Irish music.
She is the oldest of 4 children, all girls who followed in her footsteps and play Celtic music as well. Together, they make up The Carter Girls and after performing at festivals, fundraisers, and local events for 5 years, they released their debut album Crossing Borders in August 2020 with the help from studio engineer and friend Tyler Vollrath. Madeline and her love for fiddle music has gotten her the chance to perform at multiple fiddle contests and shows around the country. She was a junior showcase performer at the 2017 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships and in 2019, she was asked to compete as a contestant in the contest in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She has won multiple contests close to home in the Maritimes of Canada and she has had the chance to open up for performers like The Paul McKenna Band, Cassie and Maggie and Fortunate Ones.
Now living and studying music in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Madeline is pursuing a career in the Celtic and Trad music scene. She is a regular session player downtown St. John’s and is often at open mics with fellow musician friends. With multiple musical goals in mind, she is driven to become a successful musician and become a well known name in the industry.
Madison Mouland is a folk musician from Musgrave Harbour, Notre Dame Bay. In 2022 she graduated from Memorial University School of Music. Although trained in classical music, Madison is a folk musician at heart and typically performs traditional music from the ages. Madison has been singing and playing guitar for many years, and has been involved with Soundbone’s Cultural Ambassador Program, performing for seniors, doing workshops with children, and performing at various venues. She is currently the assistant director of The Soundbone Folksong Choir.
A French Canadian singer/songwriter, Louise has just released her debut album. She moved to Newfoundland 14 years ago with the goal to explore the music scene. She has been writing songs and working as an actor for 35 years across the country. She embraced the music scene of Corner Brook, connecting to local musicians and bringing her francophone flavour and style to the stage in cabarets and tributes which have led to a project that has been co-produced by artists from two provinces, Newfoundland and Quebec the Ginger Beard Studio. After being awarded the 2018 & 2020 Arts and Letters award for Senior Original Composition for her original composition Petit Coeur & Il S’en Va, supported by pianist Louis McDonald, she connected with musician and composer Lucie Cauchon of Montreal. They have been collaborating creatively ever since! Lucie and Phil Churchill have co-produced Louise’s debut album “Petit Coeur”. Her album reflects the romantic and story telling musical styling of “la Chanson Francaise”.
Les chansons de Louise evoquent !’atmosphère romantique et sensuelle de la “Chanson Française”, avec les influences éphémères et mélancoliques d’Edith Piaf et de Serge Reggiani. Les arrangements musicaux superposés donnent aux chansons une touche plus contemporaine, avec des sons de guitare ambiante comme toile de fond à des progressions de piano intimes. Avec une formation en théâtre et en art clownesque, elle joue avec intention et écrit avec le coeur, partageant des histoires personnelles avec une voix poétique qui tire sur les rêves, révélant un sens profond de l’empathie pour un monde qui a besoin de plus d’amour et d’attention.
Mackenzie Critch is an 18 year old award winning singer songwriter, from Paradise Newfoundland Canada. Her music has been described as a mix of Adele and Dolly Parton. Mackenzie has been classically trained vocally since she was 6 years old. With a background in classical and contemporary music Mackenzie is a seasoned musician with an extensive amount of awards and accomplishments, some of which include; 2019 Canadian Model and Talent Convention National Singing Competition in Toronto, Ontario where she placed 1st place out of thousands of contestants. 2019 Mount Pearl Frosty Festival Rising Star Award. 2022 Music NL Newfound Talent first place award. Mackenzie has also completed up to grade 8 Royal Conservatory exams. Mackenzie opened up for the world renowned Boney M featuring Liz Mitchel at two sold out shows, in Corner Brook at the Civic Centre and in St. John’s at the Mary Browns Centre. This was an amazing opportunity, where she got to share her talent with thousands of people. Mackenzie is currently working writing her own music and plans to release her first single early 2023.
Liz Fagan is a multilingual singer/songwriter from St John’s. Their find song ideas in bits of conversations, from the experiences of love and pain, and the complex world of communication. Liz Fagan Band’s debut bilingual EP “Leaning In/Se pencher vers” was released March 22nd.
Linda was born in Kingwell, Placentia Bay and resettled to Arnold’s Cove in the mid 60’s.
As a teenager she had a keen interest in learning songs, particularly traditional ballads, and she recorded many of the older folks from a number of Placentia Bay communities singing in the traditional unaccompanied style. Linda also has a keen interest in the country and western songs which she learned from the radio stations being broadcast during her youth. Currently living in St. John’s she continues to sing these songs at Folk festivals and Song Circles as well as at informal gatherings.
Lindsay Ferguson, a Canadian now living in Switzerland, lived in St. John’s for a few years, many moons ago! She bought her first guitar while traipsing up and down those hilly and colourful streets and has been traveling with her music for over fifteen years, across Canada and Europe. Self taught on guitar, she uses it as rhythmic accompaniment to the profound melodies she hears while in song-writing mode. Lindsay has been singing and honing her voice from a very young age, so her musical style is a varied mix of folk, roots and pop. Gaining strength and wisdom from her audiences across the world has led Lindsay to have quite a diverse and soulful sound. She writes about love and joy, loss and sorrow with a touch of “tongue in cheek.” Lindsay has been compared to many great artists over the years, including Joni Mitchell, Cheryl Crow, Brandi Carlisle, Adele, Tracy Chapman and more. The best part of being a musician is in the song-writing which brings a significant connection between the audience and herself. Lindsay may have the crowd laughing and crying in the same five minutes. Her musicianship is a force to be reckoned with, her songwriting is an elegant mix of passion and sincerity and her dynamic voice will touch the depths of your soul sending shivers down your spine. Lindsay will be joined on stage by local musical legends, Don Ellis, Phil Winters and Xander Pierson. This will be a set not to be missed.
Les Carriers se rassemblent à nouveau pour la 1e fois depuis le NL Folk Festival 2019. Ils présenteront un mélange d’interprétations de chansons en français.
The Carriers are reuniting for the first time since the 2019 NL folk festival, and they will be performing a mix of French song covers.
