Fleur Mainville began playing the violin at the age of 5. Her love of music at such a young age led her to study classical violin for 10 yrs under the instruction of Peter Dunn of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She continued her passion for classical music by also taking piano and voice training. She participated in the Pictou Academy Junior and Senior High School Band, playing both the flute and percussion. Fleur then joined the HeatherBell's Girls Pipes and Drums band where she was a touring member and at a young age represented the group and traveled to Ontario to play for the Queen of England and then to the United States to represent Nova Scotia's traditional style of music.
At the age of 14 she began playing at local pubs within Pictou County with local talents such as John Spyder MacDonald and Dave Gunning. She quickly became a local favourite and began playing for fiddle matinees for "standing room only" audiences.
In 1996 she won the Overall High Score Awards for the River John Fiddling Competition and Pictou North Colchester Exhibition Fiddling Competition.
Before graduating from Pictou Academy as Valedictorian of her class she became the 6th member of Pictou County's celtic rock group MacKeel. She played the acoustic fiddle as well as a five string yellow electric Vector Violin. Contributing with background vocals, her energetic stage performances allowed her to tour all over North America with the sensational music group.
With the release of MacKeel's debut CD Plaid, the group was nominated for two East Coast Music Awards and in 1996 Plaid was given the title by Sam the Record Man as the highest independent selling CD in the Maritimes. Joining the management team of Jones' and Co. in 1998, they received an A&M record deal with Turtle Music Records. MacKeel is still credited with taking Celtic music to the next level. Their performances included sharing the stage with such artists as The Bare Naked Ladies, Junk House, Great Big Sea, Tea Party, The Irish Descendents, Rowlin's Cross, Natalie MacMaster, Leahy, The Mahon's, Seven Nations, The Tragically Hip, Crash Test Dummies, Ashley MacIssac, Honeymoon Suite, Barney Bental, Glass Tiger, The Rankin Family, Mary Jane Lamond, Clandestine, and The Barra MacNeil's, to name a few.
In 1999 they secured a record deal in the United States and then a publishing deal with Belmure publishing. MacKeel performed on Canada AM, The Dini Petty Show, Mike Bullard, Much Music and more. The album Plaid was re-released and the music video for "Star of the County Down" did well on rotation on both Much Music and CMT. "Heaved Away" was also used during two episodes of Dawson's Creek and the band's popularity grew to a large fan base in the United States.
In 2002 the band parted ways and Fleur Mainville began her solo career. Her debut independent CD Finding Treasures was recorded by Dave Gunning in the Wee House of Music. Her fan base has grown to include followers from all over the world. She has toured with many groups and continues to perform as a solo artist and as a contributing musician with groups such as Dave Gunning, Steve Bower's, Kilt, The Stadacona Band, George Canyon.... and has provided her talent to many recording artists such as Dave Gunning, John Spyder MacDonald, Maurice Poirier, Steve Bowers, Rudy, and others. She has continued to share the stage with many artists and is in high demand as a performer who can play in many different styles and with a flare on stage that demands attention and recognition.
She was asked to perform as a special guest at the 2004 Maritime Fiddling Competition, performs at the Decoste Center in Pictou and the Pictou Lodge on a regular basis and at many of the Pictou County and Maritime Festivals.
She currently has numerous violin students and has begun fiddle programs at most of the local elementary schools. She is credited to having helped in the resurgence of traditional music in Pictou County.
It's About Time was released with her long time accompanist, guitarist Ross MacVicor. Recorded by Georges Hebert at the Music Room it is a live off the floor recording full of high spirited energy and wonderful acoustics.
Her original tunes are now being used by HBO and by other fiddlers from all over.
Her latest project "My Rare One", with the release date set for the end of September 2009, promises to be a loud and rockin' Celtic album. With long time friend Ashley George playing electric guitar, Dan Baird playing bass along with Dale Wilson on drums this album is going to kick some celtic rock!
It was recorded at St. Cecilia's studio in Halifax NS by Hayward Parrott who worked with Mainville during her MacKeel days. He produced their only album "Plaid". Mainville's up coming album "My Rare One" promises to follow in their roots.
With loud instrumentals and some great traditional songs. This album is going to make some noise.
