About Cynthia
Cynthia MacLeod is one of Prince Edward Island’s finest ambassadors of traditional music, with a distinct style of fiddling that embraces both her local roots and her ancestral connection to the Scottish highlands. Since the beginning of her career as a young teenager, Cynthia has spent more than two decades on stages on PEI, across Canada, and around the world.
Since Cynthia’s accomplished recording career began in 2002, she has released a total of four critically acclaimed studio albums and one live CD/DVD package, garnering regional awards and nominations along the way.
But live performances are where Cynthia truly shines. Her joyful, charismatic personality is exuded in her playing, and her natural way with audiences of any size turns strangers into instant fans. Between ten consecutive summers of hosting and performing at close to 200 Brackley Beach Ceilidhs, Cynthia has also been on the road and sailing the high seas, delivering traditional Prince Edward Island music to worldwide audiences. Audiences from northern Manitoba to coastal New England, from exotic Havana and Japan, to excursions onboard Norwegian Cruise Line have delighted in her high-energy performances.
While much of her career is spent fronting her own duo and trio performances, Cynthia is talented enough to slip into the background in support of other performers. She was a founding band member for award-winning songwriter Tara MacLean's acclaimed stage show “Atlantic Blue”, which celebrated the pantheon of internationally revered songwriters who began their careers in Atlantic Canada. During that show's run in the Charlottetown Festival, she was also tapped as a band member for Stephen Guy-McGrath's delightful show “Spinning Yarns”.
Whether in the recording studio or in any of hundreds of high voltage performances at home or around the world, Cynthia has left an indelible mark on East Coast music. With her unique style and boundless energy, Cynthia MacLeod has carved out her place in the Canadian folk music scene and in the hearts of every audience she has thrilled.