Karen Steven, Secretary

Failte agus tha mi an dochas gu bheil sibh gu math! Welcome to my biography and here’s hoping this finds you well!

I hail from the far north of Scotland, Clan Gunn and Clan Sinclair territory. Being raised in a musical household, it was inevitable I would follow suit. A highland dancer from the age of 3 to 18, I feel I gained a large repertoire of pipe tunes in my head, before I picked up the violin at the age of 13. I qualified as a highland dance teacher in 1988 through the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA). In 1985 when the highlands of Scotland were twinned with Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Caithness Junior Fiddlers were formed. We toured Cape Breton in 1986 to mark the twinning, my first exposure to Scottish music being played outside Scotland. On 4 occasions I received overseas scholarships to attend Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle camp in California - truly memorable and inspirational experiences. In addition, I have taken courses in psychology for musicians.

I have a Masters Degree with Honours in Gaelic Studies from The University of Aberdeen, Scotland, 1998. After graduating, I taught traditional music at a highland community college. In 2022, I moved to Ontario and in the summer of 2024 became a permanent resident of Canada. In 2024 our band, Atlantic Firth were formed. We perform in and around Ottawa for listening and for dancing. In August 2025, I was guest fiddle instructor/performer at Glengarry Highland Games 76th anniversary, a proud moment. I am enthusiastic to contribute to and support the SSO in its endeavours to promote and preserve Scottish culture and traditions in Canada.

Karen can be emailed at secretary@ottscot.ca.