Biography

Besides having an effervescent stage personae and a flair for writing tunes,Emerald is U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion (2004), and graduate of Berklee College of Music (2006) where she majored in Film Scoring, and is currently completing a Masters Thesis in Early Scottish Fiddle Sources through the University of Glasgow after spending a year researching in Scotland.

She brings vigor and energy to ancient melodies while forging new pathways for her own clever compositions. Her performances feature an eclectic mix of fiddle styles, pulling influences from Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia and Scandinavia, all delivered with her unique style and grace. Her comfort on stage and with her audiences make it a truly entertaining experience.

In booking Emerald Rae for a show at your venue, you can expect a high quality mix of folk fiddle styles that will inspire, educate and entertain, vocals that will charm, and a stage presence that will capture the audiences hearts, ears and attention.

IN THE PRESS
“If her charismatic debut disc, Contemplaytion, is any proof, Rae may be Boston's next fiddle wunderkind. Her sound is rooted deep in the robust Cape Breton style, but delivered in an enticingly modern and personal way. Her fiddling is technically spot-on, yet elegantly earthy, her bow merrily bouncing along the strings, as though unable to resist joining the dance."
Scott Alarik - Boston Globe (Apr, 2006)

"Emerald has a way of getting everyone in the room toe tapping and hand clapping - her sparkle of fiddling energy just translates into raw excitement for all to enjoy."
Celtic Radio (Nov, 2005)

INSTRUMENTATION
DUO: Fiddle/vocals, guitar
TRIO: Fiddle/vocals, guitar, accordion

SETLIST
Emerald's shows currently include two 45-50 min sets including material from her debut solo album, Contemplaytion, and material that is yet to be released. The music is mostly fiddle tunes with several songs per set and occasional percussive dance.

Sound Requirements
The Client is responsible for providing the following sound requirements:
• Adequate and appropriate lighting and power, as needed for musical or electrical equipment in the stage or performance area.
• A Sound engineer for the sound check and performance.
• The sound system, which will include;
Two vocal mics, with boom stands, and xlr chords
Xlr chord with phantom power (for the fiddle)
Two monitors with separate mixes
Xlr cable (for guitar)
(please email for hospitality reqs)

REQUEST A PRESS KIT
To have a press kit sent to you, please email your venue name and address to:
info@emeraldrae.com

BIOGRAPHY
Emerald grew up in a very musical household. Her parents were both professional musicians, so her knowledge of the life of a musician was firmly instilled at a young age; and she was encouraged to sing, dance and play music. After picking up the fiddle at the age of seven, Emerald's insatiable interest in the music of Scotland and Cape Breton landed her in many popular fiddle camps. She was a regular at the Ceilidh Trail School of Celtic Music in Inverness, Cape Breton; Gaelic Roots at Boston College and Alasdair Fraser's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School.

She studied privately with Barbara McOwen of the popular Scottish Country Dance band Tullochgorum (then the leader of the NH Strathspey and Reel Society) for eight years before beginning her stint at Berklee, where she has studied jazz, classical, blues, klezmer, and of course – film composition, while spending her free time at home feeding her growing interest in American Old-Time and bluegrass.

As well as performing frequently as a solo and guest artist, she starting a contemporary Old-Tyme duo "The New Tyme Sisters" with her sister Eden. Over the past year, she's been delving into the 17th and 18th centuries exploring the birth of Scottish Music as we know it today, as well as exploring the contemporary Scottish Music scene. Emerald was also frequently asked to run well-known sessions in Glasgow, perform with the popular ceilidh band Canterach, and formed a duo with Glasgow-based Irish fiddler Christina Smith called "The Tinky Bairns".

Emerald is also a talented Cape Breton Stepdancer and has danced for such fiddling giants as Alasdair Fraser and Natalie MacMaster. In 2005, she shared her knowledge and steps with the eager dance students at the famous Pinewoods Dance Camp in Plymouth, Ma.