Musicians bring traditional music to NESCol ahead of international festival

February 5, 2026

NESCol music students were treated to an exclusive preview performance in the lead-up to the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo), set to be hosted at Aberdeen City Campus this summer.

Canadian musicians Mary Frances Leahy and her brother, Michael Leahy, visited the College to give students a taste of what to expect from the festival. They were joined by Festival Leads Laura Harrington and Kirsty Clements, who both performed and shared insights into the event.

NAFCo is a five-day international festival and conference celebrating fiddle and dance traditions from across the North Atlantic. This year marks the convention’s 25th anniversary and its return to its birthplace in Aberdeen. NESCol will be the workshop and conference hub for the event, from 24 to 28 June.

Music Lecturer, Scott McGill, NESCol, said: “The College is delighted to host NAFCo for the first time, and it was a real privilege for our music students to enjoy a live performance on campus.

“Hearing from world-class musicians and witnessing how they bring traditional music to life offers our students an experience that goes beyond what they learn in the classroom.

“We look forward to welcoming NAFCo back to NESCol in June!”

Fresh from a NAFCo showcase at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival, Mary Frances and Michael brought their energy to NESCol, impressing students with their musical talent and step dancing skills.

Mary Frances is a rising star with a unique style, blending traditional Celtic music with Latin and jazz fusion elements. She has also amassed a large following on social media for her videos, sharing her talent and life as part of a musical family.

The workshop gave students the unique opportunity to connect with the musicians, ask questions, and learn more about traditional music – an exciting preview of what the festival will bring to Aberdeen this summer.

The programme will be announced soon on the NAFCo website.

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