CARTHAGE — Troy MacGillivray will bring his energetic, roots-centered fiddling and piano playing to Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center and Unity College for the Performing Arts on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 16 and 17, presented by New England Celtic Arts.

MacGillivray’s musical prowess can be attributed to an especially rare combination of commitment and bloodline. By the age of 6, he was already impressing audiences with his step dancing skills. By 13 he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne’s, Cape Breton and he now holds a bachelor of arts degree with a major in music from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.

He’s completed grade  seven of the Toronto Conservatory of Music for classical piano, spent four years in a stringed orchestra and received an applied music technology diploma for recording engineering.

Troy’s roots-centered approach to his fiddling and piano playing has the power to inspire any audience. With six releases to his credit, he has played across Canada, the U.S. and United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Australia. MacGillivray’s CD “Live At The Music Room” was honoured as the 2008 East Coast Music Association’s Instrumental Recording of the Year and the 2008 Music Nova Scotia Traditional /Roots Recording of the Year. His CD “When Here Meets There” is a unique collaboration with Canadian and U.S. National Fiddle Champion Shane Cook that clearly showcases why both fiddlers are at the top of their game by winning the 2009 East Coast Music Award for Roots /Traditional Recording of the Year.

Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his step-dancing capabilities, MacGillivray displays an intense commitment to the Celtic heritage he inherited from his Highland ancestors.

Jake Charron is continuing to build a reputation as one of Canada’s finest accompanists for fiddle music. He has become a much sought-after musician for traditional styles, playing piano and guitar with artists across the country. Charron is currently a part of Stephanie Cadman’s “Celtic Blaze” production and will be joining The Step Crew for a tour of China in December. He is the house pianist at several fiddle competitions including the Canadian Open Fiddle Championships and enjoys teaching at camps across Canada. He recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario with an honors degree in kinesiology.

Sabra MacGillivray is a champion highland dancer, a spectacular step dancer and a talented musician with an impressive list of dance awards. She has choreographed award-winning dances and was invited to perform at the Royal Military Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland as a soloist. Step dancing is one of her passions — her quick and intricate footwork are crowd-pleasers that combine movements that she learned in Cape Breton step, Highland, Irish, and Flamenco dancing.  Sabra’s desire to express her rhythm has led her to becoming an accomplished bodhran player and has also tried her hand in pipe band snare drumming. When not involved in music, Sabra is a registered massage therapist in Port Hawkesbury, N.S.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Curtain at Skye is 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Unity. Pre-show jam sessions at Skye and Unity start one hour  prior to curtain. For reservations call Skye Theatre at 562-4445 or UCCPA at  948-7469. Reservations are strongly suggested at both venues.

Skye Theater is located 3 miles west of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and Route 2 in south Carthage. UCCPA is at 42 Depot St.in Unity.  For reservations call Skye Theatre at 562-4445 or UCCPA at  948-7469. Reservations are strongly suggested at both venues.

More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com