Kelli Trottier Biography
Born and raised in the hotbed of musical tradition and innovation that is
Ontario’s Ottawa Valley, Kelli Trottier discovered her passion for entertaining,
learned her craft, and developed her distinctive style while still right at home.
Now, Kelli’s talent carries her to stages across North America, Europe, the
Middle East, and the Far North, making fans and friends at every venue along
the way.
Kelli’s musical odyssey of dance, fiddle and song began early in life as she
studied and mastered the unique and fluid style of step-dance that evolved with
the loggers and woodsmen of the historic Ottawa River watershed.
The fiddle was a natural extension of the dance; you just can't have one
without the other. And who better to learn from than the senior masters of Celtic
and Scottish traditional music. Kelli learned well from these sources and then
embraced the exuberant rhythmic fiddle and step dance styles of the French
Canadian pioneers.
Every musical family needs a singer and a songwriter and Kelli’s family was
fortunate that she had an amazing ear, a beautifully clear, natural voice, and
the desire to use that voice at every opportunity. Learning the songs she loved
from the artists she admired, and giving them wings with her own effortlesslydeveloping style, soon led to the inevitable writing and performing of her own.
Developing her art from these deep and lasting roots, while allowing the
influences of contemporary music to help shape her performing and recording
career, has earned Kelli a dedicated and growing following and glowing
accolades from promoters, organizers and fans.
“I wanted you to know how much we enjoyed your concert tonight. It was a
wonderful evening and your natural style with the audience made it extra
special. As we listened to you, many of us had the feeling we were witnessing a
great Canadian talent about to skyrocket, and we were there to see the
launching!”
No stranger to the stage, Kelli was featured as the lead female in the
Toronto musical production SwingStep. She is currently touring North
America with the very successful Bowfire entourage. Kelli’s soaring vocal pieces
are, for many fans, a highlight of the Bowfire productions, often described as
“The finest lineup of fiddle and violin virtuosi ever assembled on one
stage."
Kelli has performed for Canadian soldiers in the Middle East and for the
Inuit of the Canadian Arctic. She has brought twenty thousand NHL Ottawa
Senators Fans to their feet many times as the featured mid-game entertainer.
In addition to her extensive performing experience, Kelli continues to be a
highly sought-after instructor and judge of fiddle and stepdance events
across Canada and parts of the U.S. She has been nominated three times for
Fiddle Player of the Year by the Canadian Country Music Association and is
featured instrumentally and vocally on many studio recordings for other artists.
All of this experience is focused on Kelli’s true passion: performing and
touring her music with her band. Time and again these performances earn
glowing reviews, requests to return and always more fans!
“Your show was fantastic, I was thoroughly impressed, the band was
unbelievably tight.”
“In reviewing the DVD of your concert, I hope you notice the audience’s
overall response to your show! You and the Mushy Peas put on a fabulous
performance and the club wants you to know how much they appreciated the
stage presence and talents you displayed that evening. Your professionalism
made the show so well received and successful”
Promoting her six independent recordings; singing, dancing and playing
her way to the top of her musical genre, Kelli Trottier is an unforgettable and
enchanting artist, consistently delivering performances that raise her stature in
the hearts and memories of audiences everywhere.