Michael Anthony MacLean (1911 – 2007)
Born into a musical family of twelve children, long-time Washabuck resident and traditional fiddler Michael Anthony MacLean (1911 – 2007) played for many dancing feet in the local halls and kitchens throughout Central Cape Breton during his lifetime.
An ear player with a distinctive traditional style — dancers loved his tempo – his swing, lift and bowing prowess. Ever generous with his talent, Michael Anthony was also a strong and consistent backer of young musicians — always willing to demonstrate a fingering technique – display a bowing action — or simply whispering a word of advice or encouragement to a struggling novice.
Michael Anthonys continuing display of encouragement and enthusiasm for youthful musicians inspired the concept for the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society to establish the Stòras na h-Òigridh (Treasures of Youth) Fund — an endowment fund to provide up-and-coming Nova Scotia youth between the ages of five and twenty-one who are keen in advancing their skills in the Scottish Gaelic tradition — whether fiddling, piping, dancing, story-telling, singing, language or piano playing — financial support.
Michael Anthony with his great-granddaughter Skyler Boylan.
Video provided by the MacLean family.
Stòras na h-Òigridh - Treasures Of Youth 