Tracey Dares from Castlebay, Cape Breton, has earned herself a reputation as one of the finest Celtic style piano players in music circles across the globe. Tracey has played piano for over 20 years now, and is an accomplished musician. In her earlier years she studied some classical and in later years spent most of her time learning Cape Breton tunes and moving on to perfect the art of soloing as well as accompaniment. She was Natalie MacMaster’s piano accompanist from 1993-1997 and toured with Natalie all over Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Europe. In high demand, she has toured with John McDermott and the Chieftains.

Tracey appeared on many radio and Television programs, including Rita and Friends, Morningside with Peter Gzowski, Gaelic television in Scotland and countless others. She has released in 1995 a CD entitled, Crooked Lane,a collection of traditional Cape Breton tunes, and in 1997, launched the first ever Cape Breton piano accompaniment instructional video called A’ Chording To The Tunes. Recently Tracey was an indispensable component of, Howie’s Celtic Brew, which toured across Nova Scotia featuring Howie MacDonald’s music and comedy.

Tracey teaches music in Castlebay and performs and operates a business from home in e-commerce via { HYPERLINK http://www.castlebaymusic.com } In June 2000, Tracey and her husband Paul K. MacNeil, a renowned Cape Breton Piper, released a new CD entitled, CASTLEBAYMUSIC.COM featuring Cape Breton style piping and piano. (by john gavin)