THE
FITZGERALDS
Meet the Fitzgeralds...
A family group consisting of fiddling and step dancing siblings – Tom, Kerry & Julie Fitzgerald and Alanna Jenish on guitar. These siblings, from just outside of Canada’s renowned Ottawa Valley, have come a long way from their small town roots. Featuring 3-time Canadian Grandmaster Fiddle Champions and Ontario Open Step Dance Champions, this unique act features high-energy fiddling and mind-blowing step dancing. It is the rare combination of exceptional musicianship, incomparable step dancing, audience interaction, evident love of performing, and genuine sibling connection that resonates with audiences of all ages and sets this group apart.
"The Fitzgeralds are standout musicians in our Canadian music industry...The caliber of musicianship is very high- I think together they are a beautiful blend of gorgeous fiddle music, and top rate, absolutely exhilarating dance routines."
-Natalie MacMaster, Cape Breton Fiddling Sensation
The Fitzgerald siblings were raised in a musical household, and toured internationally with their family band “Everything Fitz”. Growing up on the outskirts of the Ottawa Valley, they were immersed in the rich tradition of Canadian Old Time fiddling and step dancing that evolved with the arrival of Irish, Scottish and French immigrants. Over time, they have developed their art form to include various styles of fiddle music including Celtic, jazz, bluegrass, French-Canadian, and pop. They have also explored other dance forms including tap and Irish. The siblings continue to push boundaries by fusing traditional and modern styles of fiddle and dance to create their own unique sound and style. Their creativity and passion for experimentation has led them to compose original tunes and arrangements, some which were released on their latest album. The result is a groovy and catchy new sound and look that appeals to all ages.
“No group has generated as much curiosity, compelling our audience to return for a second set. The warmth, energy and enthusiasm has hooked generations from young to senior, then the talent lets loose - pure vibrant magic.”
-John O’Brien, Director of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, OH
Despite their young age, these musicians have some notable musical experiences under their belts. Highlights include group/solo performances with: Nathan Carter, Leahy, Natalie McMaster, Cherish the Ladies, Tommy Hunter, Bowfire, Sharon Shannon, Liz Carroll, We Banjo 3, World-Fest, Silver Dollar City, Branson MO. As members of The StepCrew, they have had the opportunity to perform with Carlos Nunez, Solas, and Eileen Ivers. They are guest performers on the prestigiousNathan Carter TV Christmas Special 2017, broadcast by BBC and RTE television. A video of their high-energy dance performance has went viral via Ireland’s Independent.ie, with over 3 million views! Their show is a hit at festivals includingMilwaukee Irish Fest (US), Dayton Irish Fest (US), Cleveland Irish Fest (US), Iowa Irish Fest (US) Shrewsbury Folk Fest (UK), Mariposa Folk Fest (CA), Stan Rogers Folk Fest (CA), among others. They are also in demand as music instructors, both privately and at music camps across Canada. They strive to educate and inspire young musicians wherever they go through workshops, jamming, community outreach and school shows. See workshop brochure for detailed info for school & youth programs.
“The Fitzgeralds played a huge part in the success of our annual event. Their music, choreography, and energy captivated the entire festival. I can’t wait to have them back!”
--John Gilligan, Entertainment Director of Great American Irish Fest, NY
The Fitzgeralds are some of the most talented, energetic, animated, and genuine performers you will come across. This is a group of entertainers who truly love what they are doing and thrive on interaction with their audiences. Presenters can expect a high-calibre, polished, varied, and action packed show, with some goofiness thrown in here and there. They even step dance and fiddle at the same time!
“This is one energetic and entertaining family! Guaranteed to burn calories just watching this show!” -Anonymous Health Conscious Fan
The Band
Julie Fitzgerald
Fiddle, Stepdance, Piano, Vocals
Julie is a 2-Time Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion, as well as 2-Time Open Step Dance Champion. She has had the opportunity to perform internationally with many of her lifelong musical 'idols' including Leahy, Natalie MacMaster, members of Stepcrew & Bowfire,Troy MacGillivray and Wayne Rostad. While touring with The StepCrew, Julie has also had the opportunity to share the stage with Sharon Shannon, We Banjo 3, Carlos Nunez, Solas, and Eileen Ivers.
Julie is graduated from Humber College (Toronto) for the Bachelor of Music program. Julie’s love of passing on the Canadian traditional music and dance led to the creation of her first (and certainly not the last!) instructional step dance DVD.
Julie plays a Raymond Schryer violin and uses Kaplan/Zyex strings by D'Addario
Kerry Fitzgerald
Fiddle, Stepdance, Piano, Bass, Vocals
Kerry Fitzgerald is a Canadian fiddler and step dancer, with musical roots in Ottawa Valley and Celtic fiddle traditions. On the competition scene, she is a Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Finalist and Ontario Step Dance Champion.
Kerry is currently pushing the boundaries of Celtic music with her solo electro-fiddle fusion project, Fiddle Beatz, where she writes, arranges, and produces electronic arrangements of original fiddle tunes. She released her debut FACTOR funded, all original Fiddle Beatz album in 2018. Her follow-up original album, Bitz & Beatz (2022), earned her a 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA) nomination for “Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year”. She also writes and performs with CFMA nominee, Shreem Celtic Remixing, with performances at the renowned Milwaukee Irish Fest, and Toronto’s Celtic Island Festival.
Kerry plays a Raymond Schryer violin and uses Kaplan/Zyex strings by D'Addario
Tom Fitzgerald
Fiddle, Stepdance, Vocals, Guitar
While much of his focus has been directed towards the study of the fiddle, Tom is also accomplished on the guitar, mandolin, and as a step-dancer. He is a Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion (2012) and a Canadian Open Fiddle Champion (2012), and has performed with Natalie MacMaster, Leahy, Nathan Carter, Tommy Hunter, Tony McManus, Brian Finnegan, Wayne Rostad, We Banjo 3, and others. Grounded firmly in Canada's longstanding Ottawa-valley fiddling tradition, Tom is an avid explorer of many musical genres, namely traditional & contemporary Irish, American fiddle, and jazz.
When not on tour, he also teaches privately and has been an instructor at various music camps/workshops across Canada including the Leahy Music Camp, Algoma Trad, Smithers BC, Orangeville Fiddle Camp, and Goderich Celtic College.
Tom plays a Raymond Schryer violin and uses Kaplan strings by D'Addario
Kyle Waymouth
Kyle Waymouth is a multi-instrumentalist and a premier Ottawa-Valley style step dancer, and winner of the 2023 CMFA "Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year" award for his debut solo album "Inchoate" . Kyle is a five-time Canadian Open Step Dance Champion, four-time Canadian Open Group Step Dancing Champion with his group Powerhouse, and a Canadian Open Clogging Champion. At age three, Kyle started step dancing at his mother’s dance studio, Judy’s School of Dance in Stratford, ON. He has since performed throughout North America and Europe. Kyle was an on-stage guitar player for the 2016 Stratford Festival production of As YOU Like It. Currently, Kyle teaches music and dance at Judy’s School of Dance and performs with numerous groups including The Fitzgeralds, Shane Cook, and Dan Stacey.