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Playing on the heartstrings

Young Celtic fiddler Kierah Raymond releases new album
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Celtic fiddler Kierah Raymond is celebrating the release of her new album

Celtic fiddler Kierah’s new album, Stonemason’s Daughter, will be released at a special concert with featured guitarist Adam Dobres next week in Vancouver.

It’s a concert – May 10 at 8 p.m. at Rogue Folk Club (3214 W. 10 Ave.) – sure to bring her well-deserved attention on the Vancouver music scene and a host of new fans.

But it was already apparent six years ago that Kierah (known locally as Kierah Raymond) would be a talent to watch for in future; an outlook and focus beyond her years, in addition to her precocious musical skills, guaranteed that.

Only 12 when she started attracting attention for her Celtic music (her first two CDs, Irish Madness and A Fiddle Affair, were nominated for Canadian Folk Music Awards), she also spent 13 years in classical violin training, most notably with Carla Birston and the Semiahmoo Strings youth ensemble.

That experience not only culminated in receiving one of the highest ARCT marks in the country for her Royal Conservatory of Music performance exam, but also introduced her to music ranging from classical repertoire and movie scores to playing jazz with the Miles Black Trio.

In addition, she’s a gifted composer of fiddle music in the Celtic tradition (her book of original pieces is now available in a revised and expanded edition: Kierah’s Collection, from Tom Lee Music, Tapestry and her website, irishmadness.com).

It was this side of her talent that won her a scholarship from the Peninsula Arts Foundation to attend last year’s Traditional Summer Music Program at the University of Limerick, Ireland.

Only now turning 18, Kierah is far from resting on her laurels, however.

Proof of that is the latest album, into which she has poured not only her own flowering creativity but also many of the diverse influences that have crossed her path thus far.

The result, sharply and crisply produced by Adrian Dolan (known for his work with The Bills and Ruth Moody, he also plays piano, mandolin, mandola and accordion on the album), is a brilliant showcase for the increasing maturity of Kierah’s music-making.

While there are plenty of examples of the bravura reel and jig-fiddling that has impressed listeners from here to Nova Scotia, and the plaintive, lilting Celtic ballads that, in her hands, could touch the hardest heart, Stonemason’s Daughter also shows her well capable of fusing her style with other forms.

It’s also impressive for the sheer amount of music – the 12 tracks are all medleys, shifting tempos and mixing traditional pieces with 15 of Kierah’s original tunes.

“People think of Celtic music one way,” Kierah said. “But there’s more to it than just St. Patrick’s Day. I want to make it universal and inspire other young people.”

The CD, recorded over five days last year at Victoria’s Baker Studios, also features Martin Nolan on whistles, Daniel Lapp on banjo and Paul O’Brien on Bodhran.

While prizing all the contributions, Kierah pays particularly awed tribute to the musical and producing skills of Dolan and the versatility of the perpetually hat-wearing Dobres.

“He plays every kind of music under the sun,” she enthuses.

Kierah is – literally – a stonemason’s daughter (her dad, Greg, in addition to being a very keen wildlife photographer, founded Bedrock Granite Sales, now run by Kierah’s four brothers).

Her heritage is Irish, Scottish and Polish, she acknowledges.

“On my mom, Jennie’s, side, it’s almost completely Irish,” she said, adding that during the trip to Ireland last July the two were able to track down the country home, Belfield House, where Kierah’s great-grandparents lived and worked before emigrating to Canada in the 1890s.

“I loved Ireland – I loved the people. They were so friendly – like out of a storybook. They’d go out of their way to help you, and any time you’d thank them, they’d say ’tis nothin’ at all’ – which became the title of one of my tunes on the album.”

The program provided an opportunity to work with such giants of the Celtic music scene as fiddler Martin Hayes and banjoist John Carty.

“The thing I took away was that music comes from the heart – you can have all the university training in the world, but it’s not a substitute for true feeling and musicality.”

There’s no doubt that music and performing is very much a priority for her now.

“It’s always been the plan, but it’s more in action now,” Kierah said.

“I love to perform. Eventually, I’ll teach, but that requires such a commitment. I’m not ready to settle down.”

She’s also hopeful that the CD will connect with audiences.

“I hope it takes off – there’s so much work put into it and so much love. I’m really quite proud of it – but I owe a lot of thanks to Adam for his producing and a huge thank you to my mom, for the unaccounted-for hours she has devoted to my music.”