| Fiona Mackenzie | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | Morayshire, Scotland |
| Genres | Gaelic Celtic Folk |
| Occupations | Singer Song Tutor |
| Labels | Greentrax |
| Website | http://www.fionamackenzie.org |
Fiona J Mackenzie is a Gaelic singer from Dingwall in Scotland, and has toured and performed throughout Europe and North America. In 2005 she won the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Stornoway.
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In 2004 Mackenzie was voted the BBC Scotland Traditional Music Personality of the Year at the Scottish Trad Music Awards.[1] She was also nominated as Gaelic Singer of the Year in both 2005[2] and 2006.[3]
Mackenzie is a self-employed Gaelic Arts consultant and works throughout Scotland. Between 2002 and May 2009 she worked for the Highland Council as the "Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellow",[4] promoting Gaelic song and language throughout the communities of the north of Scotland. As part of her role she organised and managed the young, all girl Gaelic harmony group "Fionnar" who have competed successfully at the Pan Celtic Festival[5] and the Welsh International Eisteddfod.[6]
Mackenzie and her husband, Donald, are also members of the Inverness Gaelic Choir. She also hosts the "Kitchen Ceilidh" on Scottish Internet Radio.[7] In 2008 Mackenzie was selected as one of the Scottish representatives in the Nòs Ùr[8] song competition.[9] In the same year Mackenzie established a new music publishing company along with her husband, Donald.
In April 2009 Mackenzie ran a Gaelic singing course with gold medallist Gillebride Macmillan in Andalusia, Spain. In July 2009 she adjudicated at the Welsh International Eisteddfod, including the "Choir of the World competition".[10]
In October 2009 Mackenzie was announced as one of the winners of the "Burnsong International Songwriting Competition".[11]
In 2011 as a result of the Burnsong competition, Fiona and her fellow Burnsong winners have formed a new band named, "The Kilmarnock Edition".
In early 2012 Fiona is heading back to the studio to record her third Greetrax album.
[Image:Duan Nollaig.JPG|thumb|right|Cover of "Duan Nollaig"]
The recording of Duan Nollaig received several reviews including in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper. It is a collection of 35 Gaelic Christmas songs and carols and was produced by Irvin Duguid. In late 2008, Mackenzie released a book containing sixteen of the songs and carols.
In 2009, Mackenzie released her latest album Deagh Dheis Aodaich ("A Good Suit of Clothes"). This collection of Emigrant Songs has been released on the Greentrax label (July 2009).