Youth Fèis (April)

John Somerville, from Abriachan, is one of the most exciting instrumentalists on the Scottish music scene. His unique style of accordion playing along with a sense of innovation has seen him gain a reputation for retaining his traditional roots whilst pushing musical boundaries. John is a notable composer, arranger and teacher working with individuals and groups of all ages. He has worked with a host of bands and acts including Treacherous Orchestra, Croft No Five, Babelfish, Cask Strength Ceilidh Band and Lori Watson.  

Gillian started playing fiddle when she was 10 years old. She played in various school groups and orchestras and became a founder member of a school Scottish dance band under the brilliant guidance of Ali McGregor, who was the lead accordion player with the Tain Scottish Dance Band. Gillian attended the very first Feis Rois residential week in Ullapool in 1986 as a pupil and later went on to become a supervisor and tutor. She has been a member of various Scottish Dance Bands over the years including The Tain Scottish Dance Band, and has played with several bands including the Jock Fraser Dance Band, the Susie Simpson Dance Band, the Raymond Chuchuk Dance Band, and Rhythm n Reel.

Siannie grew up in the Black Isle and it was there she started to learn the clàrsach with Bill Taylor and Alison Kinnaird through Fèis Rois. She studied music, art history, and geography at St. Andrews University where she spent much of her term time playing in the Kilrymont Ceilidh Band. Following University she toured with the Highland Shakespeare Company as their musician and composer for plays including The Tempest and Midsummer Night’s Dream and plays at a variety of events through Live Music Now Scotland and Music in Hospitals and Care.

Visual artist Charlotte Mackenzie combines creativity with a connection to nature through her leadership of the Arts in Nature project, delivering creative activities outdoors in nature.
After studying Art & Design, Charlotte has held various roles in creative communications, including graphic designer, communications manager, and self-employed visual artist/designer, working with schools and community groups across the Highlands.

www.instagram.com/artsinnature

Laura Wilkie is a fiddle player from Tain. She has a unique style which has roots in the Highland fiddle traditions but is influenced by an eclectic range of music from all genres. Laura has toured across the world in various different groups including Kinnaris Quintet, guitar-virtuoso Ian Carr, Ross Ainslie, Salsa Celtica, NITEWORKS and with Scots Singers: Claire Hastings and Siobhan Miller. She released her debut solo album, VENT, in 2024.

Ruairidh studied Applied Music with the University of the Highlands. Playing the fiddle and accordion, Ruairidh grew up with Fèis Rois taking part in the Ceilidh Trail and other projects including KIN & the Community and The Boy & the Bunnet.

Specialising in Gaelic, folk song and guitar, Kaitlin Ross has a unique, sweet sounding voice that highly compliments the folk songs she performs. Kaitlin is a member of Eabhal, a contemporary Scottish band who have toured Nationally and Internationally and have released two albums. Eabhal won Battle of the Folk Bands and was nominated as Up and Coming Artist and Folk Band of The Year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Awards. Kaitlin also performs with pianist Catriona Hawksworth from Heisk and is part of Cosys Ex, a celtic fusion band.

Sophie Stephenson is a traditional musician and step dancer from Fort Augustus. Introduced to step dance by Harvey Beaton at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, Sophie continued to build on her repertoire of steps, learning from dancers including Donal Brown, Frank McConnell, Deirdre Graham, Jane MacNeil and Margie Beaton. She is also the Fèis Rois Gaelic Officer.

Renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, as well as her dextrous piping, Mairearad is in great demand not only as a performer, but also as a composer.
Often seen on stage alongside multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie, composer, Mike Vass, piping supergroup, Tryst and singer-songwriter, King Creosote. 

www.mairearadgreen.co.uk/

Kim is an artist, freelance designer/illustrator, musician and art teacher from Ullapool. She released her album, Leaves that Fly, in 2018. She runs weekly music sessions with Mairearad Green, and regularly plays gigs and Ceilidhs with a variety of other musicians, including The Highland Ceilidh Band. She is also a regular Fèis Rois YMI tutor.

Angus Binnie is a piper and whistle player, originally from Cromarty. Now playing with Fras, he participated in the Ceilidh Trail as a young musician.

Anne studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London and the International Menuhin Violin Academy, Gstaad, Switzerland. She studied North Indian violin when she lived in Pakistan and then at SOAS (London). She has toured worldwide, playing many musical genres, performing and recording with the likes of Mairi Campbell, Savourna Stevenson, Massive Attack, Elvis Costello, Deacon Blue, Michael Marra, Kathryn Tickell and Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. She recently toured her production, When Mountains Meet, which featured a live score of Scottish and South Asian music.