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When someone mentions the name, Ashley MacIsaac, the mental images are of bow flying, foot stomping concerts of traditional and contemporary music. He has traveled the globe and received multiple reviews stating him one of the world's "fiddle genius".

Ashley MacIsaac was born on February 24, 1975 to Angus and Carmelita MacIsaac of Creignish, Cape Breton. His parents, both lovers of music, constantly had music playing in the house. It wasn't long before Ashley was jigging tunes and learning to dance. At 4 ½, his aunt Geraldine MacIsaac showed him his first steps. His dancing debut at age five, was at a concert in Port Hawkesbury during the Festival of the Strait Days. He took lessons from Mary Janet MacDonald, Minnie MacMaster, and finally Harvey Beaton.

Ashley began classical piano at eight years but when his dad came into the lesson and told him that he had bought him a fiddle, Ashley chose fiddle over piano. Ashley learned the basics from his dad and was later tutored by Antigonish fiddler Stan Chapman and Kinnon Beaton of Mabou after that. His first public performance was at the glebe house in Creignish when he was only ten years old. Soon, he was traveling all over the island performing both by himself and with his talented peers. At the early age of 16, Ashley released his first album Close To The Floor (1991). Shortly after, he was cast in the New York play Woyzak and began to work on projects with the famous Paul Simon.

Not surprising to anyone, Ashley's career exploded and he became an international performer. During his travels, he taught workshops in both dancing and fiddle across the entire US and Canada, to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. He released a traditional Christmas album A Cape Breton Christmas (1993) just before the release of Hi How Are You Today? (1994). This CD had a mix of rockin' rhythms with a traditional swing. It was this recording that launched him into superstardom. It sold all over the world. He has toured internationally in North America, Europe and the UK. He has been in Japan and Italy to sold out performances. Performing with huge groups like the Chieftains, U2, and Blue Rodeo is common place and Ashley has tried his hand at all types of music, Dance, Grunge, Traditional Cape Breton, Classical........ His musical projects have received numerous nominations and awards at both the East Coast Music Awards and the Juno Awards. He has often been involved with other artists' CD's playing both fiddle and piano. Ashley's last album Fine Thank You Very Much (1996) is a CD of Traditional Cape Breton Music.

Such accomplishments from a fella, barely 23, who grew up in the quiet community of Creignish with his mom and dad, older brother, Henry, and younger sister Lisa (who also travels with her own music career) are truly astonishing.

Ashley has his own home in Belle Cote, Cape Breton, where he now resides. "I"m glad to have a spot of my own," he says. "It's not too far from home, but it's far enough away."

	Close to the Floor (Click CD cover for audio clip )
	Cape Breton Christmas
	Hi How Are You Today
	Fine Thank You Very Much