A multi instrumentalist from the quaint Annapolis Valley region of mainland Nova Scotia, Jenny was reared up on a farm. She began learning traditional music from family and local musicians, in sessions and as played for dancers. Her initial pursuit of further musical education began at the University of Toronto, and following that, the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Limerick where she received diplomas in music performance and pedagogy. However, as the music of her home place and its’ history continued to captivate her, she began to study with masters of traditional music in the west of Ireland, the point of origin for much the music in her own area. Over the years, her mentors have included notable musicians and scholars; Oisín Mac Diarmada, Caitlín Ní Gabhann, Liam Kelly and Gráinne Hambly have played formative roles in her musical journey.
Most recently, in early spring of 2023, Jenny founded the group, Delhaven. The group has rapidly gained traction locally and functions as a primary creative outlet for her. The musical selections range from original compositions of dance tunes to very old songs and ballads in both Gaelic and English, and the instrumentation includes fiddle, harp, concertina, flute, bodhrán and more. They frequently feature local sean nós step dancer, Elizabeth MacDonald.
Having performed throughout Canada, the United States, Ireland, the UK and Japan, Jenny’s audiences continue to grow. She is a personality known for bringing warmth to events both intimate and large. Her abilities on multiple instruments, – fiddle, harp, concertina, whistle – offer a wide variety of texture within the atmospheres created with the music. At once fiery and finespun, Jenny embodies the traditional Gaelic music of Nova Scotia.
In addition to performing, Jenny gives lessons to people of all ages. While private and in person lessons remain inaccessible for many, she has cultivated a community of learners online through her series “Tunes and Tea” which she began during the first year of the Covid pandemic. There are weekly, live online workshops streamed, and an archive of recordings is kept here. The lessons are intended to be practical for approach on most any of the traditional instruments, and include relevant historical information, technical tips and ideas about ornamention.
Jenny finds inspiration in her cottage, her fathers seaside farm and the landscapes of small mountains and valleys where she learned her first notes and steps. There, it’s never long before a tune is shared, a step is danced, and a ceílí has begun. She believes the best music is ‘close to the floor’ – where music and dance become one. And, of course, wherever she finds herself, she enjoys a good pot of tea and a few yarns with the neighbours.
Jenny Melvin 