Biography, Influences & Contributions
Born Dawn Walker on what is now known as Ghost Town Row in Saskatchewan, Dawn defines herself as a dimensional shifting prairie poet. Singing has been the connecting thread throughout her life, beginning with church related music, in CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training) and camp counselling in her youth.
As an educator, she found music to be a positive aid in learning but found children to be her best mentors and inspired her in her chosen role as a caregiver.
Dawn met her future husband Steve Lacey at a coffee house in the late sixties when they both had “Suzanne” on their set list. Having more than Leonard Cohen in common, they were both English majors in university. They were engaged with a Raffi guitar instead of rings. Dawn switched her study program to early childhood when she was expecting her first child.
Dawn was one of the first members of the Regina Folk Guild.
While in Saskatchewan, the family sang together at local coffee houses, arts council, church and community events, and raucously in the car.
Music was an everyday part of life for the Laceys, whether it was taking in local folk festivals and clubs, or travelling across the country and jamming with friends and family.
Yellowknife brought Moira Cameron and Steve Goff into their lives with house ceilidhs and a shared love of music. Ceilidh Friends was born in 1991.
In addition to performing with Ceilidh Friends, she has performed with Judith Anderson, a northern writer of many years, in poetry and song, as well as with Moira Cameron and with “Solstice Sisters.”
Dawn became a songbird at the Aven Centre and at Extendicare in Yellowknife with Esther Braden and Theresa Crane, where they bring music to residents and seniors.
She sings ….
on occasion by herself
as a duo with Steve Lacey or with Moira Cameron
as a trio with the songbirds
as a foursome with Ceilidh Friends
as a fivesome with her family for fun.
Her first solo work, an autobiographical DVD entitled “A Season’s Circle” is now available.
Inspiration came first from live music – lullabies from both my parents, my Aunt Gladys who loved to sing, family sing-songs around the piano at the Schobert farm, Jean Patterson who taught me to play guitar.
I first heard Buffy Ste Marie when I was twelve, and she was the first recorded artist who truly made an impression on me.
In the folk revival of the 50s and 60s, I loved the music of Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and
Pete Seeger.
My brother and I performed music together at small town gatherings and today I am still Norman Walker’s biggest fan.
Friends Paddy Tutty and Moira Cameron have made traditional music live for me and introduced me to the music of many strong traditional singers like Frankie Armstrong.
Connie Kaldor’s music has always uplifted me for its humour and prairie content.
British group Artisan has also been a huge inspiration combining tradition, poetry and a capella music.
In addition to her own recording / DVD and those of the group Ceilidh Friends, Dawn has participated in the recordings of other musicians.
| YEAR | RECORDING | ARTIST | DAWN'S CONTRIBUTION |
| 2007 | Sands of the Shore |
vocal harmonies |
|
| 1999 | The Last Campfire | Ron Kent | vocal harmonies |
| 1997 | Lilies Among the Bushes |
vocal harmonies |
|
| 1991 | One Evening as I Rambled | Moira Cameron | vocal harmonies |
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