IMC Festival of the Arts Performance — Ryan D’Aoust

Ryan D’Aoust is an award-winning fiddler from the Norway House Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. Ryan learned to play fiddle through the Frontier School Division’s Fiddling program offered in his school when he was in grade 6. His exceptional passion, talent, and commitment to his community soon led to his becoming a much sought-after fiddler at a very young age. Ryan has played at countless square-dancing and jigging contests throughout Manitoba.

His first album “South Side of the Strings,” recorded in 2006 when he was still a teenager, won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for best fiddling album of the year. His second album, “York Boats and Legends,” included four original compositions drawn from his home community and supportive family.

Ryan’s style of fiddling is rooted in the tradition of Métis fiddling — going back over 350 years in Northern Manitoba — and is also influenced by the classic Canadian fiddle style of Don Messer, Graham Townsend, and Calvin Vollrath. He is a magician with his bow and is known for his musical articulation, tone, and danceable style.

Ryan performs both as a solo artist and as co-leader of the band Highway 373 with his brother Clayton, and has been a fiddle instructor for the Frontier School Division since 2011. He currently teaches in his home community of Norway House.

The concert is $10 USD — or free to Old Time Fiddle Workshop participants. All times are Central Time and are subject to change.