Bio
As 2024 Canadian Folk Music Award Winners, 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 North America, the UK, and Europe. They have been featured in live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and Sweden Radio P2, and performed at festivals including Vancouver Folk Music Festival (CAN), Harrison Festival of the Arts (CAN), Summerfolk Music Festival (CAN), Celtic Colours International Festival (CAN), Celtic Connections (UK), New World Festival (USA), and Urkult Festival (SWE).
Awarded “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.
Jocelyn & Ellen were also nominated for “Instrumental Artist of the Year” at the 2024 Western Canadian Music Awards. A new album, Here To Stay, will be released on June 3, 2025.
Live at Celtic Connections, Glasgow, Scotland
About the Artists:
Jocelyn Pettit
fiddle, guitar, vocals, stepdance
Based on the West Coast of Canada, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant fiddle player, stepdancer, and singer. As a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee, and Western Canadian Music Award Nominee, Jocelyn has released three solo albums. She has toured across Canada and internationally, appeared on national television and radio, and holds a Master of Music Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Ellen Gira
cello, vocals
Based in Maryland, Ellen Gira is establishing herself as one of the most versatile cellists in the Scottish and American Traditional music scenes. She has performed throughout North America and the UK, and collaborated and recorded with numerous acclaimed traditional musicians. She holds a PhD in Traditional Cello Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.