Scottish Fish is a Boston-based Celtic quintet whose youthful enthusiasm, unique arrangements, and original compositions have entertained audiences across the United States for more than a decade.
The Scottish Fish include Ava Montesi (fiddle), Caroline Dressler (fiddle), Giulia Haible (cello, piano), Julia Homa (fiddle, piano), and Maggie MacPhail (fiddle, piano)
The Scottish Fish at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA; January, 2020
The Scottish Fish in 2013 at our first “real gig” accompanied by Katie McNally.
Our Music
Scottish Fish present a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton music. Their lively and unique arrangements are woven together from session music handed down from generations of the tradition’s finest players. They have performed at the Boston Celtic Music Festival, the Bellingham Celtic Festival, Club Passim, and at various other public and private venues across the United States. Their music and performances have earned them features on WGBH, KALW, and in American Girl and Folkworld Magazines; attracted the attention of programs such as America's Got Talent; and secured an international audience of over two hundred thousand followers on Instagram. In 2017, the group released their debut album, "Splash," and followed it with "Tidings," a 5-track holiday EP, in 2019. Their newest record, "Upscale," produced by pianist and composer Neil Pearlman, was released in October, 2022, marking the band’s ten year anniversary.
Scottish Fish have been named as “one of the most energetic and creative acts to take root in the local Celtic music scene this century” by Boston Irish reporter Sean Smith, and Scottish Fiddler Hanneke Cassel has described their sound as “both incredibly musical, and just a little unusual.”
“Individually they are all creative and talented,” writes Cassel, “and together they spark each other, pushing each other even further to make amazing music.”
Our History
After discovering Scottish fiddle individually as kids, the five of us met at Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School in 2011. Whether it was through the UU church, school, or previous music camps, some of us had already known each other for a number of years. However, once we all ended up at BHSFS, we as a group were immediately inseparable.
Beginning that first year, it became a camp tradition to hoard candy under our beds and pillows. Among our favorite treats were Swedish Fish, and, when thinking of a name for our Ceilidh band, we thought it would be hilarious to call ourselves the Scottish Fish. Keep in mind, Maggie was 6 years old at the time, and the rest of us were 11. For better or for worse, the name stuck. Two years later, we played our first gig outside of camp and absolutely loved it.
Since then, we have released two albums and an EP; played venues, music festivals and private functions throughout New England and beyond. We have been featured on National Public Radio and in American Girl Magazine; and been contacted by recruiting agents from multiple television programs including America’s Got Talent and established a substantial international following. It’s been so special to grow up playing together, and we could not be more grateful for all of the support we’ve received along the way.