She played a couple more tunes before she stopped to chat again. She explained how her Mom, Minnie, had taught her to stepdance at the tender age of 5 and Dad taught her fiddle at age 9. I knew that her Mom danced, but the info about her Dad teaching her fiddle floored me completely. I had the good fortune to be invited to Natalie's folks' house three years ago. Minnie asked me to bring my fiddle to play a tune for her. I had emailed her two years previous to tell her how Natalie inspired me to take up the fiddle at age 50. We had kept up the correspondence thru the years and when Minnie found out I was coming to Cape Breton, she invited me to play for her. Long story short, I did play Auntie Mary on Natalie's fiddle! Then the fiddle was passed around the room, as is the custom I understand. Alex, Natalie's Dad, refused to play as he said he was "a twice a year fiddler." Hence the surprise.
There was some talk about when to wait to teach her new baby, Mary Frances Rose, to stepdance and fiddle. I think they'd better wait till she can walk!!! LOL! With her Mom and Dad both famous fiddlers, she can't help but learn early.
For the next number Natalie showed her dance skills for the first time that evening. Later she danced again for us. The audience got into the act with their clapping. |
