Who We Are

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a culturally diverse group of young musicians from the Greater Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. The ensemble is directed by professional musicians, Claude Giguère and J. Knutson, and using strings, percussion and wind instruments perform lively original compositions and arrangements of Celtic Orchestral based music.

The NSCE is an organization with a dual mandate; we provide our young member musicians the opportunity to work with professional directors and performers in an inspiring environment where musical talent can flourish and evolve. These skills are then applied to establish strong connections within our community such that we can contribute to and enhance community living.

The NSCE is a Non-Profit Society and a Registered Charity.

Artistic Director: Claude Giguère

Claude has 20 years' experience as a professional violinist and teacher. A graduate of the Vancouver Academy of Music, he has performed with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the CBC Orchestra and many chamber ensembles. He was a founding member of Babayaga String Quartet, a Vancouver based jazz group and, with the quartet, released a CD in 1996. Claude's musical interests turned to the Celtic/folk genre, and he began extensive work in this area. In 1998 he recorded a CD of Celtic music with guitarist/songwriter Jay Knutson, and in 1999 he founded the North Shore Celtic Ensemble. In addition to directing this group of young musicians, Claude writes many of the arrangements for the ensemble.

Artistic Director: Jay Knutson

Jay has over 25 years of experience in performance and musical workshops. A founding member of Spirit of the West, he recorded several CD's with this group. He has toured and recorded with Carmen Campagne, Hart Rouge and Connie Kaldor, and has done documentary scoring for CBC Radio, the National Film Board of Canada, the Canadian Diabetic Association and Danish National Television. Jay has worked as a musical producer and arranger for over 30 albums. He has been associated with the North Shore Celtic Ensemble since its inception, providing leadership and musical support.

Should you like to join or support the North Shore Celtic Ensemble, or simply get more information, please see the Contact section of this website.