July 7th to 11th, 2025
Introducing our 2025 instructors!
Fiddle
Paul Lemelin - Sudbury Ontario - Advanced Fiddle
Two-time Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion Paul Lemelin has been playing the fiddle since the age of 4 and has been competing since the age of 8. He enjoys teaching the fiddle, guitar, mandolin and piano as well as being a father of 3 boys and a daughter. Paul has won many fiddle contests across Canada including the Grand North American Fiddle Championship and three wins in the open class in Pembroke, Ontario. Paul was first invited to compete at the CGM in 2006 and has since been invited to compete every year since 2010. The highlight of Paul's career came in 2014 when he won the CGM, followed immediately by a win in Pembroke, a feat only achieved 3 times prior. More recently, Paul has repeated a second win of the Canadian Grand Masters in 2021.
See Paul at the Canadian Grand Masters, below
See Paul at the Canadian Grand Masters, below
Gordon Stobbe - Seaforth Nova Scotia - Fiddle
.A member of the Order of Canada, Gord's career accomplishments are many (check out his website) and it is an honour to have him join the FIddlyNess lineup this year.
"Gordon Stobbe's passion for fiddle music has enriched our cultural heritage. A performer, composer, teacher and publisher, he has toured with several band,s including his own trio, for more than 40 years. In the 1980's, he hosted a popular variety show, Up Home Tonight, that featured local talent and helped launch the careers of many successful artists. Devoted to the preservation of fiddle music, he has tirelessly built a nationwide network of workshops and camps to introduce the joys of this rich tradition to others."
This past year, Gord's hit east-coast music show "Up Home Tonight" was celebrated at Celtic Colours, joined by many of the show's guests from years gone by.
Visit Gord's website
Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
"Gordon Stobbe's passion for fiddle music has enriched our cultural heritage. A performer, composer, teacher and publisher, he has toured with several band,s including his own trio, for more than 40 years. In the 1980's, he hosted a popular variety show, Up Home Tonight, that featured local talent and helped launch the careers of many successful artists. Devoted to the preservation of fiddle music, he has tirelessly built a nationwide network of workshops and camps to introduce the joys of this rich tradition to others."
This past year, Gord's hit east-coast music show "Up Home Tonight" was celebrated at Celtic Colours, joined by many of the show's guests from years gone by.
Visit Gord's website
Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
J.J. Guy - Saskatoon - Fiddle
An inductee to The North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame, JJ Guy makes waves all across fiddle community! His performances while steeped in tradition, have taken fiddle music to a new and exciting level! Growing up in rural Saskatchewan surrounded by fiddle music, this tradition is now reflected in his own playing and his passion for the music. It is often said that "to hear JJ play is to witness a tune come alive." JJ started out by performing at a young age in many shows and dances across the prairies and winning many fiddling competitions including the Saskatchewan Junior & Novice Fiddling Championship. Early on in his career he played and free- lanced with many bands in the bluegrass and country style.Much of the winter months JJ gives workshops and performing across Canada, teaching fiddle to youth in Manitoba through the Frontier School Division, and for The Kole Crook Fiddle Association in the NWT. Summertime finds him featured at festivals, concerts and fiddle camps all across Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all stops in between. This extensive work schedule allows him to meet many fans, consequently, this has made him an attraction on the Canadian fiddle circuit! His five fiddle albums, are full of lively traditional and original fiddle music and his musical collaboration with Gordon Stobbe called “Twin Fiddles” have released five albums and garnered a WCMA nomination. During 2020 JJ has started a popular weekly online streaming series called “Jamming with JJ”, along with fellow musician Cathy Sproule which has streamed 135 weeks! Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2013 Canadian Grand Masters, nominated by the SCMA as "fiddler of the year”, featured in publications such as The Prairies North Magazine, The Western Producer, Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Sasktel's "Max Magazine"and host of Access7 TV show, ” Fiddling Around”, there is always excitement around this musician!
Visit JJ's website
Visit JJ on Facebook
Jammin' with JJ
Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
Visit JJ's website
Visit JJ on Facebook
Jammin' with JJ
Visit Twin Fiddles on FaceBook
Emily Dubois - Regina, Sask - Fiddle
Emily Dubois is a musically ambitious fiddler from little Langbank, Saskatchewan.
Emily’s affection and affinity for the fiddle started early; regularly attending youth fiddle camps like the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, Emily was exposed to multiple fiddling styles from a variety of notable Canadian players such as JJ Guy, Gordon Stobbe, Ivonne Hernandez, Shane Cook, John Arcand, Calvin Vollrath, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Stephanie Labbé, Troy MacGillivray, Tim Chaisson, Mairi Rankin, and Liz Carroll.
Fiddle-camps and the connections they create have nurtured Emily’s passion for collaboration, performance, and her own evolution to mentoring and teaching young fiddlers. A significant connection was made early with Vancouver Island’s own Ivonne Hernandez, and followed her to Victoria to further her own growth as a player, performer, and instructor, working alongside Hernandez in a variety of projects.
Dubois has completed the a diploma in Contemporary Music Performance under Daniel Lapp, competed in the 2019 and 2024 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships, and post-pandemic graduated from Capilano University with a certificate in Arts and Entertainment management.
She is committed to her own role in the rich tradition of Canadian fiddling. Since September 2023, Emily has moved back to Saskatchewan, and are located out of Regina. It is here where the Flatland Fiddling Studio was finally able to come to fruition, and has successfully finished its first year. She is beyond excited be back SK fiddling scene and do her part to sustain it! Learn more at Emily's website, and book a lesson with Flatland Studio!
Emily’s affection and affinity for the fiddle started early; regularly attending youth fiddle camps like the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party, Emily was exposed to multiple fiddling styles from a variety of notable Canadian players such as JJ Guy, Gordon Stobbe, Ivonne Hernandez, Shane Cook, John Arcand, Calvin Vollrath, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Stephanie Labbé, Troy MacGillivray, Tim Chaisson, Mairi Rankin, and Liz Carroll.
Fiddle-camps and the connections they create have nurtured Emily’s passion for collaboration, performance, and her own evolution to mentoring and teaching young fiddlers. A significant connection was made early with Vancouver Island’s own Ivonne Hernandez, and followed her to Victoria to further her own growth as a player, performer, and instructor, working alongside Hernandez in a variety of projects.
Dubois has completed the a diploma in Contemporary Music Performance under Daniel Lapp, competed in the 2019 and 2024 Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships, and post-pandemic graduated from Capilano University with a certificate in Arts and Entertainment management.
She is committed to her own role in the rich tradition of Canadian fiddling. Since September 2023, Emily has moved back to Saskatchewan, and are located out of Regina. It is here where the Flatland Fiddling Studio was finally able to come to fruition, and has successfully finished its first year. She is beyond excited be back SK fiddling scene and do her part to sustain it! Learn more at Emily's website, and book a lesson with Flatland Studio!
Deanna Dolstra - Cold Lake Alberta - Beginner Fiddle
Born in Oshawa, Ontario, Deanna has been playing fiddle for over 30 years and is trained in Ottawa Valley Step Dance. She competed in fiddle and step dance in the Ontario Contest Circuit for many years, retiring in 2000. She has trained with various instructors across Ontario and also attended the Ceilidh Trail School of Celtic music in Cape Breton.
Deanna released her own independent album in 2002. She played for over a decade with the band "Celtic Powerhouse" with fiddle, step dance, keys, and backup vocals. She has been a guest performer and has appeared on recordings with various other artists and groups. She performs all over Canada during the year, often seen with the Metis Ensemble Nicely Put Together Band since 2017.
Deanna currently teaches predominantly group lessons of all ages, and has over 100 students across East-Central Alberta.
Deanna released her own independent album in 2002. She played for over a decade with the band "Celtic Powerhouse" with fiddle, step dance, keys, and backup vocals. She has been a guest performer and has appeared on recordings with various other artists and groups. She performs all over Canada during the year, often seen with the Metis Ensemble Nicely Put Together Band since 2017.
Deanna currently teaches predominantly group lessons of all ages, and has over 100 students across East-Central Alberta.
Other Instruments
Charlie Gannon - Victoria BC - Guitar
Charlie Gannon is recognized as one of the best young guitarists in Victoria, playing a wide range of styles from Celtic to Rock. His playing is highly technical yet sensitive, with inventive harmonies and chord voicings he has learned from many years of playing jazz. He brings new life to the simplest of songs and performs even the most difficult with ease.
Charlie was born in Victoria, BC, and grew up listening to his large extended family play music together. He began his musical journey by taking classical piano lessons at age five, but then switched over to the guitar at age ten. Soon after, he and his friends formed a garage band, Electric Winter, which played many gigs around town. Charlie’s high school, St. Michaels, gave him plenty of opportunity to play music in the Jazz Band, Swing Band, Vocal Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Pit Orchestra. In 2013, he received a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music five-week program, where his Juno award winning uncle, Oliver Gannon, graduated from in 1969. Charlie has also attended the Tommy Emmanuel guitar camp in both New York and New Orleans, where he got to study finger style acoustic guitar with Tommy and perform for him on stage. Currently, Charlie is the guitar player for the popular fiddle group in Victoria, Coastline. In 2015, they represented Canada at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and toured all over Scotland, even playing on the historic Culloden battle grounds. A few notable fiddlers Charlie has shared the stage with include Quinn and Qristina Bachand, Ivonne Hernandez, Mari Rankin, Natalie Haas, Alisdair Fraser, Nellie Quinn, and Sarah Tradewell. Charlie is also the guitarist for “The Swing Alongs”: a jazz trio that plays Jazz Standards from the Tin Pan Alley era, featuring tenor saxophone, guitar, and piano. With the company PG Music, Charlie has been going to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show annually since the age of 13, as well as Musik Messe.
Charlie was born in Victoria, BC, and grew up listening to his large extended family play music together. He began his musical journey by taking classical piano lessons at age five, but then switched over to the guitar at age ten. Soon after, he and his friends formed a garage band, Electric Winter, which played many gigs around town. Charlie’s high school, St. Michaels, gave him plenty of opportunity to play music in the Jazz Band, Swing Band, Vocal Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Pit Orchestra. In 2013, he received a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music five-week program, where his Juno award winning uncle, Oliver Gannon, graduated from in 1969. Charlie has also attended the Tommy Emmanuel guitar camp in both New York and New Orleans, where he got to study finger style acoustic guitar with Tommy and perform for him on stage. Currently, Charlie is the guitar player for the popular fiddle group in Victoria, Coastline. In 2015, they represented Canada at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and toured all over Scotland, even playing on the historic Culloden battle grounds. A few notable fiddlers Charlie has shared the stage with include Quinn and Qristina Bachand, Ivonne Hernandez, Mari Rankin, Natalie Haas, Alisdair Fraser, Nellie Quinn, and Sarah Tradewell. Charlie is also the guitarist for “The Swing Alongs”: a jazz trio that plays Jazz Standards from the Tin Pan Alley era, featuring tenor saxophone, guitar, and piano. With the company PG Music, Charlie has been going to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show annually since the age of 13, as well as Musik Messe.
Rob McInnis - Saskatoon - Tenor Banjo
Rob first dabbled in folk music when he started playing mandolin at the Irish music sessions in Saskatoon in 2008. As he familiarized himself with traditional Irish music, he discovered the masterful tenor banjo playing of “Banjo” Barney McKenna of the Dubliners. Inspired by McKenna’s playing, Rob soon acquired a tenor banjo of his own and immersed himself in learning as many tunes as he could between each session.
For over a decade, Rob has served as Vice President, President and currently MAL of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Saskatoon Claddagh branch, which promotes traditional Irish music, song and dance.
As a member of the Saskatoon Celtic folk band, The Residuals, Rob recorded three albums, was featured on SaskTel’s Local on Demand three times and played hundreds of live shows throughout Saskatchewan.
His banjo can also be heard on Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Germ Smart Kids: How-To Handwashing video.
As a member of the Saskatoon Celtic folk band, The Residuals, Rob recorded three albums, was featured on SaskTel’s Local on Demand three times and played hundreds of live shows throughout Saskatchewan.
His banjo can also be heard on Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Germ Smart Kids: How-To Handwashing video.
Melika Lemelin - Sudbury Ontario - Piano
Melika Lemelin has been playing piano since the age of 15. She is one of Ontario’s most sought after house pianists for fiddle and stepdance competitions. In 2010 and 2012, Melika won 3rd place in the accompaniment category at the Grandmasters Fiddling Championship in Nashville TN. She has had the honor to play alongside some extraordinary musicians including Shane Cook, The Brian Pickell Band, Calvin Vollrath, Ray Legere, and, of course, her husband, Paul Lemelin! She is a mother of 4 beautiful children, three boys and a girl, who will all be at Algomatrad this year. Melika previously taught at AlgomaTrad in 2008.
Melika Lemelin has been playing piano since the age of 15. She is one of Ontario’s most sought after house pianists for fiddle and stepdance competitions. In 2010 and 2012, Melika won 3rd place in the accompaniment category at the Grandmasters Fiddling Championship in Nashville TN. She has had the honor to play alongside some extraordinary musicians including Shane Cook, The Brian Pickell Band, Calvin Vollrath, Ray Legere, and, of course, her husband, Paul Lemelin! She is a mother of 4 beautiful children, three boys and a girl, who will all be at Algomatrad this year. Melika previously taught at AlgomaTrad in 2008.
Dance
Johnny Rodger - Ile a la Crosse - Red River Jig
Johnny Rodger is from the Metis community of Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan.
Currently teaching Metis square dance in communities across central and northern Saskatchewan.
"I truly believe that by sharing knowledge on Metis jigging this brings growth and cultural connection to the communities. My aim is to pass on the traditions to the next generation in hopes of cultural preservation."
Currently teaching Metis square dance in communities across central and northern Saskatchewan.
"I truly believe that by sharing knowledge on Metis jigging this brings growth and cultural connection to the communities. My aim is to pass on the traditions to the next generation in hopes of cultural preservation."
Jenn Altenberg - Saskatoon - Square Dancing
Jenn Altenberg lives in Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Michif. Her Michif roots run deep in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. She enjoys the fiddle and sharing her love of Michif jigging and dance with friends, family, and community.
Jennifer is a SUNTEP alumni, teacher and principal of Oskayak School in Saskatoon
Jennifer is a SUNTEP alumni, teacher and principal of Oskayak School in Saskatoon