Derrick and Melody Cameron founded the group "Triskele" in the spring of 2000. Colin Watson, Blair MacDonald, Joel Chiasson, Matthew MacLennan and Calum MacKenzie have all performed as members of this group. Triskele put on live shows and workshops that aimed to entertain and educate the audience in the area of Cape Breton’s Gaelic song, music and step dance traditions.
Triskele performed regularly at the The Creamery in Port Hawkesbury, Louisbourg Playhouse, Christmas Island Ceilidhs and other venues around Cape Breton Island. Triskele performed at several Celtic Colours International Festival concerts from 2002 to 2005, sharing the stage with Sharon Shannon and Beolach in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton on Oct. 12/2002, and hosting two "Close to the Floor" concerts in 2003 and 2004 at Strathspey Place in Mabou, NS. In 2005, Triskele was featured with Nuala Kennedy, Angus MacLeod and Milling Singers for the Celtic Colours International Festival's "Singing of the Tunes" concert.
Triskele disbanded in 2006 but Melody and Derrick still perform regularly with former band members.
Melody has been around Cape Breton music all her life. She has been step dancing from the age of five and has played the fiddle for over 20 years. Melody also has danced and given workshops in the Inverness Co. Square Set and the Scots Four.
Over the years Melody has performed with Natalie MacMaster and Ashley MacIsaac. She has participated in Celtic Colours International Festival events and entertained all over Cape Breton in many festivals, concerts, pubs and dances. In the Spring of ‘98 she helped "The Rankins" with dance choreography for their western tour. In July 2001, she performed alongside other Cape Breton musicians on the main stage at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Melody also took part in an exchange of dance styles with Indiana based dancer/teacher/musician, Malke Rosenfeld, who is a founding member of the Celtic group "Cucanandy" and a past member of the highly acclaimed "Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble". The exchange took place in Mabou, NS from Oct. 13/03 to Oct. 20/03. It involved Malke studying more of the Cape Breton style of step dance from Melody and Melody, in return, learning some of the old-time clogging and flatfooting style from Malke.
In October 2004, Melody Cameron was featured with Dochas, Rita MacNeil, Corrina Hewat, Winnie and Pat Chafe, Rona Lightfoot and Anna Massie in the "Celtic Women" concert for Celtic Colours International Festival. In October 2005, Melody and Derrick Cameron shared the stage with Glenn Graham, Colin Watson, Jeff MacDonald, Nuala Kennedy, Andrea Beaton and Brian OhEadhra for the Celtic Colours International Festival's "The Young Gaels" concert. Melody and her sister, Kelly MacLellan performed a synchronized step dance routine for The Rankin Sisters' televised Christmas special, "Home for Christmas" which aired on Canada's Bravo! network in December of 2005. Melody and Derrick were featured in the Genuine Pictures documentary, "And They Danced", which premiered on Canada's Bravo! network in January of 2006.
DERRICK CAMERON
Derrick lives in West Mabou, Cape Breton with his wife Melody. He has become an active guitar player and storyteller. Derrick and his wife Melody perform together at many gatherings, dances, pubs and concerts. In ‘98 they played at the Washington Irish Folk Festival.
In July 2001 he and his wife, Melody Cameron, performed alongside other Cape Breton musicians on the main stage at Stan Rogers Folk Festival. In the spring of 2003 and 2004, Derrick and Melody Cameron along with folk singer Lisa Cameron, traveled to Massachusetts for performances in Historic Deerfield and in the Boston area.
In early 2004 Derrick and Melody Cameron joined Feis Mhabu. Feis Mhabu puts on community based lectures and workshops to provide learning and social opportunities for those interested in Gaelic Culture. Derrick and Melody Cameron are currently acting as the coordinators for a new Feis Mhabu project named "The Mabou Musical Mentorship Program". The mentorship program's focus is on using house sessions to bring together talented young performers of Cape Breton music and dance with well established tradition bearers. The relaxed, informal atmosphere of the house sessions is well suited for the passing on of music, dance and stories.
Oooh really? How exciting!!! How's the recording going? Can't wait to hear the finished result! I've finally finished recording and am now onto the mixing side, it's been slow progress as i'm trying to fit it around work but am getting there.
More importantly though, when are you coming over here to visit? x
Thanks - I needed a day off. Five weeks til have this baby, and can't believe it is so soon!! Aaaargh! Anyway, all the best - take care in this cold spell x
It was good thanks, short and sweet for me but the guys played well and we seemed to go down great at the festival club which was nice. ;) I saw Joella there briefly, would've been nice to have seen you both too though... [hin hint, nudge nudge]
How are things over there anyway? Covered in snow? Britain has come to a near standstill as we've got lots, well England has but here's fine at the mo.
Anyway am off to upload a couple of new tracks onto my myspace, let me know what you think! x
Melody and Derrick, thanks... Crossing to Ireland is so hauntingly beautiful...makes me thing of my mother... :) you guys are great in more ways than one. thanks again for your support...pete
all the best for the new year Derrick and Melody. It would be nice to be closer so I could listen to derrick..s great stories and the great tunes you play. (which I have totally copied and play on my hammered dulcimer)Love your sets
Wishes for you and your family coming your way!!! Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours.. Maybe next year we will be a bit closer...fingers crossed...
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