Leona Williams

Leona Williams had an early background in classical piano, studying with Sister Helen Louise and Jack O'Donnell. She took a long hiatus from playing music while she was simultaneously working as a teacher and a high-school administrator and bringing up her family. Upon retirement, she returned to music, taking lessons for several years from Brent Bannerman and Jackie Dunn-MacIsaac and subsequently began playing accompaniment for Karen Beaton in various ceilidhs and concerts, large and small. In addition, during Covid she was thrilled to have the opportunity to work online with Mac Morin since the performance opportunities were significantly lessened during that time. She has accompanied bagpipers playing on both small and Highland pipes, and has accompanied solo vocalists. Leona resides in Antigonish, although she is quick to credit her Chiasson and Aucoin ancestors from Cheticamp for providing the musical background that she enjoys.