Dara Smith-MacDonald (fiddle) and Adam Young (piano) have been entertaining audiences as a duo for the past 25 years. They have developed a style that is strong, lively and quintessentially traditional. They joined forces with Prince Edward Island’s Brent Chaisson (guitar) to release “The Lake Sessions” in 2017. They gelled very quickly as a trio, and have followed up their early success with “Island”, a celebration of tunes written in Cape Breton and PEI.
Individually, they are no strangers to the stage. Adam directed a stage show, Cape Breton Lyrics and Laughter, for 20 years. Dara is a musical director for the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association. Brent has performed with some of the biggest names in Canadian music.
Each has toured internationally; as a trio, they have shared their music with audiences at the Celtic Colours International Festival, KitchenFest and the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival.
Dara Smith-MacDonald
Dara Smith-MacDonald was born and raised in Antigonish, but has strong family roots in Inverness. She now resides in Port Hawkesbury. She has been playing the fiddle for over 25 years with a style that is strong, lively and traditional.
Dara has played for concerts, ceilidhs, and dances throughout Cape Breton, mainland Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and the United States. She has performed for the Antigonish Highland Games, the Acoustic Roots Festival, KitchenFest, the Celtic Colours International Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland.
For the past 20 years, she has been teaching fiddle to students at Colaisde na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic College) in St. Ann’s, as well as to many students in her home and around the world via Skype. Dara is a musical director and a board member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association.
Adam Young
Adam Young is a sought-after pianist from the community of French Road in Cape Breton. His unique style adds depth, solidity, and a joyful forward motion to the music.
He created and directed the Louisbourg Playhouse’s popular music and comedy revue, Cape Breton Lyrics & Laughter, which ran for nearly 400 performances over a twenty-year period. He regularly plays at concerts, ceilidhs, square dances, dinner theatres, and sessions throughout the Maritimes, and has showcased his talents at venues and festivals across Scotland, England, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
His 2021 double album Yearbook was nominated for Canadian Folk Music and Music Nova Scotia awards, and took home the 2022 East Coast Music Award for Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year.
Brent Chaisson
Brent Chaisson is more than just a musician and recording engineer; he is a sonic storyteller, weaving narratives through both melody and sound. Hailing from the serene landscapes of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Chaisson's journey in music began as a young dream nurtured by the island's natural beauty and vibrant cultural tapestry.
With instruments in hand and a keen ear for detail, Chaisson embarked on a dual career path, seamlessly navigating the worlds of performance and production. As a recording engineer, Chaisson's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to sonic integrity have garnered him acclaim both locally and beyond. Whether capturing the raw energy of a live performance or sculpting intricate soundscapes in the studio, he approaches each project with a passion and precision that are unmistakably his own.
Awards and nominations
Pressed 4 Time, Print, Copy & Design Recording Professional of the Year (2026) - pending
Music PEI Awards
Brent Chaisson
PEI Mutual Instrumental Recording of the Year (2023) - nomination
Music PEI Awards
Kevin, Tim & Brent Chaisson – Dad’s Tunes
Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year (2022) - winner
East Coast Music Awards
Adam Young for Yearbook
Solo Instrumental Artist of the Year (2022) - nomination
Canadian Folk Music Awards
Adam Young for Yearbook
Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year (2022) - nomination
Nova Scotia Music Awards
Adam Young for Yearbook
Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year (2019) - nomination
Nova Scotia Music Awards
Dara Smith MacDonald, Adam Young, and Brent Chaisson for Island
Gaelic Artist of the Year* (2018) - nomination
East Coast Music Awards
Dara Smith-MacDonald and Adam Young for The Lake Sessions
Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year (2018) - nomination
Nova Scotia Music Awards
Dara Smith-MacDonald and Adam Young for The Lake Sessions
Audio & video
The Lake Sessions (2017)
Island (2019)
ECMA showcase, Charlottetown, PEI (2019)
This live performance video was recorded at the East Coast Music Awards and Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and was the opening set of Dara, Adam, and Brent’s showcase on the Roots stage.
Booking
For booking enquiries, contact adamcdyoung@gmail.com
or fill out the form to the right.