Sunday, 14 October 2012

Braemar Arts Festival welcomes Shona Donaldson


Singer and musician Shona Donaldson is one of Scotland's leading young tradition bearers. The twenty seven year old from Huntly grew up surrounded by music and dancing in the heart of North-east Scotland's bothy ballad country. Shona has been a regular supporter of the various TMSA Festivals throughout Scotland, being their Young Singer of Merit in 2004.

Shona’s career highlight came in December 2009 when she was voted The Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year at The MG ALBA Traditional Music Awards.  In February 2010 Shona was a finalist in The Bothy Ballad Championships in Elgin, only the 2nd women in the competition. 

From November 2009- April 2011 Shona was Singer in residence for Deveron Arts in her home town of Huntly.  This residency enabled Shona to teach local songs and traditions at the Primary and Secondary schools. Shona has also produced her CD “Short Nichts and Lang Kisses” ; original songs in a traditional style as well as new tunes for texts from The Grieg-Duncan Collection.  It was released in April 2011 to great critical acclaim.

 As well as giving live performances Shona has also taken bothy ballad and ballad workshops for the National Trust of Scotland, Fife Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Blas and Scottish Culture and Traditions teaching traditional singing to all ages and abilities and underlining the importance of keeping our traditions alive.

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