The music of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia is entrancing with it’s lively and articulat fiddle and the driving piano accompaniment. Musicians learn early and fiddle, step dance and piano are part of many young musicians training. Shepherdstown Music and Dance invites all to get a firsthand experience, as sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald share their rare talents in fiddle, guitar, piano, stepdance and song at the lovely, historic Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in Shepherdstown on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.

These two young women from Nova Scotia two encompass everything one could ask for in a musical act. Exciting and innovative, they have found a perfect balance between musical integrity and sheer entertainment.

While staying true to their Celtic roots, Cassie & Maggie MacDonald have explored and tested the boundaries of traditional music, bringing a breath of fresh air to the genre with original compositions and arrangements. They have been enchanting audiences far and wide with their infectious energy, driving rhythms and lilting melodies.

Born to a family with a rich musical heritage and raised in Nova Scotia, a province steeped in musical culture and traditions, the girls have used their unique up bringing as a springboard for their own brand of Celtic Roots music. Equally at home playing tunes passed down through generations of musicians, as seamlessly weaving themes from the Moonlight Sonata into sets of sure fire reels, Cassie and Maggie are turning heads wherever they go.

And the music community has taken note; 2015 Live Ireland Radio “New Group of the Year” 2015 “Emerging Artist Album of the Year” winners from the Chicago Irish-American News,”World Song of the Year” nominees at the Independent Music Awards, Galaxie Radio Rising Star award winners, Canadian Folk Music Award nominees for “Young Performers of the Year,” two time East Coast Music Award nominees for Traditional Album and Trad/Roots group album and double Music Nova Scotia Award nominees for New Artist and Roots Album of the year, their accolades and awards speak of a young duo that will surely continue to do great things.

Appearing on stages across Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Bermuda and the UK, the list continues to grow as people are beginning to know the names Cassie and Maggie MacDonald. Since their first festival performance at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival in Ontario, the girls have gone on to be soloists in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and International Polizi Show in Hamburg, Germany, perform for the French Ambassador in Paris, France, tour across Austria, Italy and Germany, play at the independence day celebrations on Bermuda Island, the Milwaukee Irish festival, Dublin Irish Fest, Philadelphia Folk festival, the Celtic Colours International festival, the Lunenburg Folk Harbour festival, Celtic Classic festival, Stan Rogers International Songwriters festival, Festival Memoires et Racines in Jolliette, QC to name a few.

This year will prove to be the busiest and most exciting yet with the release of “Sterling Road” their award winning second studio album, an extensive touring schedule including appearances at numerous festivals and concerts throughout North America.

So come out and join us for this amazing sister act. This concert is the second concert in this Shepherdstown Music and Dance’s International Concert Series this season. The concert starts at 8 p.m. Admission cost is $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 SMD members, $10 students, and will be taken at the door. For more information, see the web page at smad.us, call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net.