Bonnie Jean MacDonald
Bonnie Jean breathes new life into the age-old jigs, reels and airs that have been passed down through generations.
Nestled amongst the rolling green hills and rugged coastlines of Cape Breton Island sits the small village of Mabou, Nova Scotia. Known as the "heart of Celtic music" in Canada, Mabou has produced some of the nation's finest traditional fiddlers. Carrying on this proud lineage is Bonnie Jean MacDonald, a fiddler whose soulful playing evokes the rich Scottish Gaelic heritage of this special region.
When Bonnie Jean picks up her fiddle and bow, she breathes new life into the age-old jigs, reels and airs that have been passed down through generations. Though her tunes originated overseas centuries ago, Bonnie Jean's masterful performances are quintessentially Nova Scotian - echoing the salt air of the nearby Atlantic Ocean and the hardy resilience of Mabou's early pioneers. Whether live on stage at the beloved Celtic Colours Festival or an intimate ceilidh at the local town hall, Bonnie Jean transports listeners straight to the kitchen parties of yesteryear. Her music is the very heartbeat of the community, linking past and present through song.
Visitors seeking an authentic taste of Nova Scotian culture need look no further than Bonnie Jean MacDonald. She is both a gifted storyteller in tune with the voices of the past, and a passionate fiddler keeping traditions alive. Every note she plays celebrates the unique spirit of her cherished hometown.
Watch Bonnie on
Highlights:
Former Member of the Band Kilt
Registered Massage Therapist
Devoted Mother of two
