Bio
From Canada and the USA, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira are a dynamic fiddle & cello duo. Fusing traditional and contemporary music styles, they create a powerfully uplifting and soulful performance, weaving a rhythmically driving and textured sound. Complemented by lively stepdancing, they bring life and fire into original tunes, songs, and high-energy repertoire from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia.
Each an accomplished musician in their own right, with extensive performance history and accolades, Jocelyn & Ellen first joined forces in Glasgow in 2018. Since then, the duo has been gracing stages and captivating audiences in both North America and the UK. They have been featured in live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, and performed at festivals including Celtic Connections (UK), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (CAN), Harrison Festival of the Arts (CAN), Summerfolk Music Festival (CAN), Celtic Colours International Festival (CAN), New World Festival (USA), and Northwest Folklife (USA).
Nominated for “Traditional Album of the Year” at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Jocelyn & Ellen's album, All It Brings, is a celebration of hope and resilience. The album features nuanced fiddle-cello interplay, vocal harmonies, and guest guitar accompaniment.
Live at Celtic Connections, Glasgow, Scotland
About the artists:
Jocelyn Pettit
fiddle, guitar, vocals, stepdance
From the West Coast of Canada, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant fiddle player, stepdancer, and singer. As a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee (including 2023 "Solo Artist of the Year"), and Western Canadian Music Award Nominee, Jocelyn has released three solo albums, including her latest, Wind Rose. She has toured across Canada and internationally, appeared on national television and radio, and performed with The Chieftains.
Ellen Gira
cello, vocals
From the East Coast of the USA, Ellen Gira is establishing herself as one of the most versatile cellists in the Scottish and American Traditional music scenes. Based in Maryland, she has performed throughout North America and the UK, collaborated and recorded with numerous acclaimed traditional musicians, and is undertaking doctoral studies in Trad Cello Pedagogy at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.