INTERVIEW - The Iconic Mary Frances Leahy.
I have the pleasure as much as the honor to send a few questions in the direction of Peterborough areas one and only, teen Fiddler, Mary Frances Leahy as she bows her own way on "Cheerio."
The entertainment world is filled with extraordinary stories. But few match the amazing true-life tale of multi-award-winning internationally renowned musicians, Natalie Macmaster and Donnell Leahy, Canada’s reigning Celtic duo. Their dazzling career achievements with an incredible off-stage life as farmers, educators, and parents to 7 super musically talented children ranging from ages 5-18, truly moves me and blows my mind. One of these extraordinary children, the eldest of 7, happens to be the incomparable 18 year old fiddler, pianist, dancer, and composer prodigy, Mary Francis Leahy of Douro Ontario. It helps that music is literally in her DNA as you will see as her career has gone viral with 2M views on TikTok!
Mary Francis, you learned the fiddle at age of 3, took to the stage playing and dancing since the age 5 alongside your parents and siblings playing an estimated 600 shows throughout Canada, the U.S. and beyond together. One of my favorite views of you as an Ottawa Valley/Cape Breton style dancer was the video where you danced atop a white grand piano, then jumped down to play said piano, flipping on over to fiddle with dad for a 2021 Canada Day special seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6JEbI2DJU4&t=5s
And, one of my favorite videos of you on fiddle has to be at The Grey Fox where you sported a broken wrist the night before, all the while not only playing piano, but performing on fiddle, showing your determination and that your love of music clearly heals. https://www.instagram.com/p/C6vk5oUODGz/ The show must go on, and with the support of your dad, Donnelly Leahy, he bowed his way on your fiddle through your solos all the while you perfected chording techniques at the same time, allowing your violin to create stupendous harmonic flares. This is truly a prime example that nothing will slow you down, not even the absence of a limb. Keep that passion and dyer devotion for making magical music, you surely encourage others.
Q. 1. You come from an iconic musical background. This family gift goes further back than just your parents, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Share with your fans just how far back this musical talent flows.
For such a young lady, you have many accomplishments in such a short span of time, including a piano performance with Yo-Yo Ma for “So You Love” featured on her parents new release, CANVAS, with two of your own compositions, Choo Choo and Colour Theory featured on that CD as well, a performance on Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey, the Carmen Nebel TV Show Germany, A Celtic Family Christmas special and many unique cultural performances in your mother’s homeland of Cape Breton Island. Your upbringing has nurtured a love for this traditional music as evident by your recent win in a Cape Breton Tourism music contest from your submission, First Light. Plus, you have even taught multiple workshops, and recently, you had the opportunity to perform with Bela Fleck & Jerry Douglas, as well as arrange and record fiddle for the BBC’s musician of the Year, Tim Edey. WOW! This is just a wee sneak peek into your major accomplishments thus far within your in-depth career.
Q. 2. With all that you have on the go, and all that you continue to accomplish, when do you find time to just be your teenage self, Mary Frances Leahy?
Q. 3. Who would you say is your strongest musical influence and why? Also, with the plethora of artists you have honorably recorded, performed and shared the stage with, who would you love to record or tour with that you haven’t already collaborated with?
Q. 4. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your musical career?
Mary Frances’ debut album, First Light releases May 31, 2024
To bring her brainchild to life, she enlisted Elmer Ferrer as co-producer and co-arranger. He also played guitar and tres and did digital programming, joining a core ensemble that was rounded out by León on percussion and Mark Kelso on drums. Remi Arsenault plays bass on Cheerio and four other tracks and guitar on yet another. No slouch herself, Leahy says she relished the opportunity to work with top-shelf talents, who “always push you to be better than you thought you could be. Great musicians inspire the ear and direct your musicality in new ways.”
First Light is Mary Frances Leahy’s' debut 9 track instrumental album with all songs composed by herself, co-produced by Mary Frances and Elmer Ferrer, and features musicians Elmer Ferrer, Mark Kelso, Remi Arsenault, Rosendo Chendy Leon, Roberto Riveron, Juan De Sedas, Liza McLellan and sibling Michael Leahy. Just one listen to First Light, from 18-year-old Ontario wunderkid Mary Frances Leahy, that will convince you that she’s next in line. Its ironclad proof that composer/multi-instrumentalist Mary Francis Leahy has carved out a wholly unique and captivating musical identity that rings natural to the ear.
Q. 5. Can you walk us through your debut album, First Light, give us a sense of its flavor, and share with the fans, what your songwriting process is like, and how the album title came to be?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: " First Light is very much a marriage between my celtic heritage and latin/jazz music. I hardly ever sit down with the intention of writing and come out with anything good- it seems that my compositions come to me when I am sweeping the floor, working on the farm, or even in my sleep! The album is an all-original instrumental project and is very much my “First Light” as an emerging, young musician, hence the title. "
Q. 6. Off the album, what is your favorite song to perform and why?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: " Cheerio is my favourite song to perform. It is very energetic and I really love the way it came together. I have a super cool dance feature in the middle when we do it live which allows me to release some of that energy in a different way."
You have been developing your own style which is rooted in your Celtic heritage but also heavily influenced by jazz and Latin genres. This new fusion will be displayed throughout your new debut recording featuring all original material at the end of this month. You continue to put your development as a musician as well, performing artist as top priority by taking private jazz piano lessons from University of Toronto’s Adrean Farrugia, and you’re even enrolled in a Latin style piano course from Berkeley College of Music in MA. With access to her parents at all times, you are constantly being guided and molded into a fine young fiddler/violinist, your number one passion. You are currently developing a new skill set, orchestration, and receiving private lessons from Humber Colleges’, Becca Pellet. Now you are directing yourself to the concert stage as a solo act. Having already undertaken a couple dozen full shows of your own, as you have truly discovered the high of writing, playing and performing your own music. So of course you have an extensive touring schedule already mapped out for 2024 into 2025, and you are playing Peterborough at the Memorial Centre this December 20th, so exciting. With your eyes set squarely on the future, you are determined to further your development as a musician and performing artist, although incredibly modest, you enjoy the affirmation of your abilities from the reactions of the crowd and have decided to dedicate your life to music spending on average 7 hours a day practicing your instruments.
Q.7. If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: "If I could change something about the music industry, I would have it that success be attributed to excellence rather than chance or a passing fad."
Q. 8. What is the best advice you’ve been given about the ins and outs of the music industry? And what advice would you offer a young artist just starting out in this entertainment industry?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: "The best advice I have been given is to go with your gut and do what you love. I have always been skeptical about the reality of “making it” In the music industry as it is such a tough business to be in. Things changed though when I realized that I’d rather be less successful doing something I love than thriving in an industry that doesn’t fulfill me. To any young artist in this industry, I’d ask them what motivates them. If it’s passion, then they’re probably following the right path."
Q. 9. There is satisfaction and there is success. What do both terms mean to you?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: "I believe that satisfaction is pleasing oneself and success is pleasing everyone else. Which is more important? To me, the first one."
Q.10. What is it like to perform in Peterborough, so close to home, with a sea of familiar faces in the audience cheering you on? Also, what can fans expect at your Memorial Centre show on Friday December 20th?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: "Performing in your hometown is very exciting but at the same time, nerve wracking. You care so much, you want to make people proud… We are bringing our Celtic Family Christmas show to Peterborough on December 20th and we’re so thrilled. People can expect nothing less than the best! We always put our hometown shows at the end of the tour so we get the most practice time possible ;) "
Q. 11. With your main focus on the labor of love, that is your new album, representing you as the next big thing among listeners who might be hearing a fiddle for the very first time, after the release of your debut album and tour, what is new upon the horizon for Mary Frances Leahy?
A. Mary Francis Leahy: " I am currently developing my voice! Lots of fun vocal projects coming up while keeping my roots a part of everything I do. I’m discovering a whole new instrument and another colour to add to my canvas. I can’t wait to share with everyone! "
NEW single for Mary Francis Leahy entitled Cheerio!
On social platforms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsAxLU-gBps
and
https://open.spotify.com/track/6hnwOgDoVhb6tVG1wrNLiH?si=9c4a3a23468d4651&nd=1&dlsi=fc90165524504cd8
Stay in tuned by visiting
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095648588820
https://www.instagram.com/fiddlemaryfrances/
https://www.tiktok.com/@maryfrances903
Mary Frances Appearances 2024-2025
Friday June 21 PEI
Festival of Small Halls
Saturday June 22 PEI
Festival of Small Halls
Sunday June 23 PEI
Festival of Small Halls
Saturday June 29 Portsmouth NH
Saturday July 6 Mahone Bay, NS
TBC
Sunday July 14 Summerside, PEI
Harbourfront Theatre
Thursday July 18 Howe Island, ON
Friday July 19 Huntsville, ON
Algonquin Theater
Friday July 26 Souris, PEI
Saturday July 27 Summerside, PEI
Sunday July 28 Broadcove, NS
Broadcove Scottish Concert
Friday August 9 York, PS
Susquehanna Folk Festival
Thursday August 15 Bayfield, WI
Big Top Chautauqua
Friday August 16 Milwaukee, WI
Henry Maier
Thursday September 26 Truro, NS
Nova Scotia Stampede
Friday October 18 Ithaca, NY
IMG Show Day - Venue TBC
Thursday October 24-31 AMA Waterways
European Cruise
Sunday Novenber 24 Calgary, AB
Jubilee Auditorium
Monday November 25 Regina, SK
Wednesday November 27 Saskatoon, SK
TCU Place
Friday November 29 Edmonton, AB
Jubilee Auditorium
Wednesday December 4 Pictour, NS
DeCoste Centre for Arts & Creativity
Thursday December 5 Moncton, NB
Casino New Brunswick
Fri-Sat. December 6-7 Halifax, NS
Light House Arts Centre
Sunday December 15 Burlington, ON
Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Monday December 16 St. Catharines, ON
Partridge Concert Hall
Tuesday December 17 St. Catharines, ON
Partridge Concert Hall
Wednesday December 18 Markham, ON
Flato Markham Theatre
Thursday December 19 Kitchener, ON
Centre in the Square
Friday December 20 Peterborough, ON
Peterborough Memorial Centre
Sunday December 22 Ottawa, ON
Southam Hall
Saturday March 1, 2025 Waterville, Maine
Waterville Opera House
Thursday March 13, 2025 Brownfield, Maine
The Stone Mountain Arts Center
Friday March 14, 2025 Keene, NH
The Colonial Performing Arts Center
Saturday March 15, 2025 New London, CT
Garde Arts Center
Sunday March 16, 2025 Beverly, MA
The Cabot
Tuesday March 25, 2025 Nanaimo, BC
The Port Theatre
Wednesday March 26, 2025 Victoria, BC
Royal Theatre
Friday March 28, 2025 Campbell River, BC
The Tidemark Theatre
Sunday March 30, 2025 Duncan, BC
Cowichan Performing Arts Centre
Monday March 31, 2025 Courtenay, BC
Sid Williams Civic Theatre
Friday April 4, 2025 Vernon, BC
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
Saturday, April 5, 2025 Vernon, BC
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
Monday April 7, 2025 Trail, BC
Charles Bailey Theatre
Tuesday. April 8, 2025 Cranbrook, BC
Key City Theatre
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