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John Pellerin
Nova Scotia

John Pellerin

John Pellerin was raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with deep roots in both the Scottish Gaelic and Acadian traditions of northeastern Nova Scotia. His paternal lineage connects him to the Beaton families of Mabou in Inverness County, grounding him in the rich Gaelic musical culture of Cape Breton. His Acadian heritage traces to the historic communities of Larry’s River and Canso/Carlos Cove in Guysborough County, where French language, song, and coastal life shaped generations of his family. John began step dancing at the age of four under the instruction of Margaret Dunn, Reverend Angus Alex MacDonell, Ellen MacIntyre, and Gary Fidler. By age ten, he had taken up the fiddle, studying with Stan Chapman and following in the footsteps of his father, Kenneth Pellerin, a respected fiddler in the Antigonish area. Dedicated to preserving and celebrating Celtic tradition through both music and dance, John has performed locally and internationally, including in Scotland at the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, in Dublin with The Well by Abhann Productions, at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and closer to home at Celtic Colours International Festival, KitchenFest!, and ReJigged Festival. For years, John has continued to preserve and share the tradition, carrying forward the distinctive style, spirit, and cultural heritage of Cape Breton step dance and fiddle music. In addition to dancing with his brother Bill, John will also be performing in a trio with accordion player Mary Beth Carty and piper Heather MacIsaac.

Festival Performances

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