2026 Robinson Emerging Artist
Congratulations to our 2026 Winners, Dane Pedersen & Irish Millie.
The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase. After an incredible response from audiences and an outstanding number of votes, this year’s result was simply too close to call. We are proud to name co-winners Dane Pedersen and Irish Millie.
This year’s festival marks the 34th edition, and both Dane Pedersen and Irish Millie will be right at the heart of the action - joining international sensations, rising stars, and homegrown talent in entertaining the loyal audiences who gather in Goderich, Ontario each summer.
“We were blown away by both the level of talent and the incredible engagement from audiences this year,” said Artistic Director Cheryl Prashker. “The vote was remarkably close, and it felt only right to recognize both Dane Pedersen and Irish Millie as co-winners. The Showcase has quickly become a meaningful platform for emerging artists - not just for the opportunity it provides, but for the way audiences really get behind it and we’re excited to welcome both artists to the stage in Goderich this August.”
Named after Founders Warren and Eleanor Robinson, the Robinson Emerging Artist Showcase, now in its fifth year, is an opportunity for artists in the early stages of their career. Dane Pedersen and Irish Millie will participate in a series of artist development sessions and will have the opportunity to perform on the main stage at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, which takes place from August 7th to August 9th.
The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival is committed to supporting emerging artists and preserving traditional Celtic music for future generations. We would like to thank all of the talented musicians who applied for the Robinson Emerging Artist Award this year and wish them all the best in their musical careers.
Dane Pedersen
Dane Pedersen is a singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. His love of performing has led him across disciplines, from folk to musical theatre to an undergraduate degree in jazz studies. Through a voice rich with tradition, he blends the vibrant palette of his influences in service of his love of story and song.
Dane’s debut EP, Travelling Alone, places reverent interpretations of songs by the likes of Stan Rogers and Gordon Lightfoot alongside original songs full of heart and insight beyond his years. With performances at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Lunenburg Folk Harbour, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Celtic Colours International Festival under his belt, Dane Pedersen is surely establishing his place as a rising voice in folk music.
Irish Millie
Irish Millie is a 19-year-old Canadian fiddler and singer rooted deeply in Celtic tradition, known for her high-energy “Party Trad” style that blends East Coast drive with contemporary flair. Raised in the rich fiddle culture of Ontario and influenced by Irish and Maritime traditions, she has built a reputation for powerful live performances that honour the spirit of traditional music while bringing youthful fire to the stage.
A 7-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Irish Millie has performed at festivals across Canada and Europe, including Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival, Peterborough Folk Festival, Musik over Præstø Fjord (Denmark), and before audiences of 10,000+ at Peterborough Musicfest. Whether leading a driving reel set or sharing a heartfelt song, her performances celebrate the communal joy at the heart of Celtic music.
