Derrick and Melody Cameron
The melodies from Mabou’s musical duo transports you
to the heart of Cape Breton Island!
Derrick and Melody Cameron live in Mabou, Cape Breton on the property of the small dairy farm where Derrick was raised. They have been performing music together throughout Canada's Maritime Provinces and the New England States to very receptive audiences for a number of years.
They have performed alongside other Cape Breton musicians on the main stage at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, played at the Washington Irish Folk Festival, emceed, stage managed and were featured in numerous Celtic Colours International Festival concerts, taught workshops and performed at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, Scotland and play for many dances, pubs and concerts throughout Cape Breton Island. Melody and Derrick were featured in the Genuine Pictures documentary, "And They Danced", which premiered on Canada's Bravo! network in January of 2006. They have released three recordings. Their latest, “Sincerely”, features guest artists Mac Morin, Joy Dunlop, Lisa Cameron, Jamie Foulds and J.P. Cormier.
Melody is also an accomplished Cape Breton style step dancer. She has performed synchronized step dance routines with her sister Kelly at venues throughout Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Western Newfoundland. Through the 1980's, Melody and Kelly appeared four times on CBC television for the program "Up Home Tonight" and also were filmed for a BBC documentary. Towards the late 1980's, Melody and Kelly performed as part of the group Highland Classic. Other members of the group included Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster, Wendy MacIsaac, Rodney MacDonald, Stephanie Wills and Jackie Dunn. In the spring of 1998, Melody worked as a choreographer for The Rankins, one of Canada's foremost folk groups. Years later Melody and Kelly performed a synchronized step dance routine for The Rankin Sisters' televised Christmas special, "Home for Christmas" which aired on Canada's Bravo! network in December of 2005.
In early 2004 Derrick and Melody Cameron joined Comunn Féis Mhàbu. Féis Mhàbu is an organization based in Mabou, Cape Breton that works to support both children and adults in their pursuits to learn more about Cape Breton's Gaelic culture. Although based in Mabou, Féis Mhàbu's programs draw participants from the surrounding area, and in some instances, from all over Cape Breton and beyond.
Derrick and Melody Cameron are currently acting as the coordinators for a Féis Mhàbu project named "The Mabou Musical Mentorship Program". This mentoring program's focus is on using house sessions to bring together talented young performers of Cape Breton music and dance with well established tradition bearers. The relaxed, informal atmosphere of the house sessions is well suited for the passing on of music, dance and stories.
CONTACT
Highlights:
Featured in ‘And They Danced’ Documentary
3 Albums released
DID YOU KNOW?
Melody runs the Mabou School of Cape Breton Step Dance, a week long instruction of CB step dance!
