2024 MC & House Musicians

Master of Ceremonies (MC) ~ Paul Lemelin

Paul Lemelin – Two-time Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion, Paul Lemelin, has been playing the fiddle sine the age of 4, and has been competing since the age of 8.

At home, Paul works as a Mechanical Design Technologist for Vale Exploration. He enjoys teaching the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and piano as well as being a father of 3 boys and 1 daughter.

Paul has won many competitions including first place in the Open category in Sturgeon Falls, Chelmsford, Richmond and three wins in Pembroke, Ontario. Paul was first invited to compete at the Canadian Grand Masters in 2006 and has since been invited to compete every year since 2010. The highlight of Paul’s career came in 2014 when he won the CGM, followed immediately by a win in Pembroke, a feat only achieved 3 times before. More recently, Paul has repeated a second win of the Canadian Grand Masters in 2021.

House Fiddler ~ Kyle Burghout

Kyle Burghout – Originally from Ottawa, ON and now living in Winnipeg, MB, Kyle has performed across Canada and internationally. His many awards include North American Irish Fiddle Champion, Grand North American Old-Time Fiddle Champion, and four-time runner-up at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition. He has also been composing music for over a decade, and his tunes have been played by Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Shane Cook, The Fitzgeralds, and many others. When not performing, Kyle is the Executive/Artistic Director of the Gatineau Hills Fiddle Festival (Chelsea, QC), and is the Camp Director for the 2023 AlgomaTrad Family Camp (St. Joseph Island, ON). He has recorded three full-length studio albums as well as several EPs/singles, and will be releasing his first book of original fiddle tunes this summer.

House Pianist ~ John Mitchell

John Mitchell – John started playing fiddle at age 11 when his grandmother gave him an old fiddle she had lying around the house. He was enrolled in classical violin, and then quit at age 14 before starting fiddle lessons with Ottawa Valley fiddle player, Kyle Felhaver. Kyle encouraged him to attend fiddle contests, which he has done ever since. Listening to the house piano players across Ontario, John decided to learn piano. He started lessons with Geoff Horrocks at age 18, and also studied with Denis Lanctot for many years. The Ontario Open Bobcaygeon Fiddle & Stepdance Contest welcomes John as this year’s house pianist.

Sound/Lighting Technician ~ Eamonn Doyle

Eamonn Doyle ~ Eamonn is an audio engineer and producer from Oshawa who has long been involved in multiple production roles. He has many years of professional experience working in television broadcasting, audio recording, and live sound production. Currently, Eamonn works in ministry as associate director of programs, technology and communications in Toronto which includes the responsibilities of working as director and executive producer for two large-scale conferences in the GTA (for youth and young adults). Eamonn is a father of five young children and enjoys playing guitar and golf (not at the same time) and spends his spare time camping with his family and watching his kids play soccer. Eamonn is very excited to be sound and light technician for the Ontario Open Fiddle & Step Dance Contest.

Photography ~ Andrew Dawydchak

Andrew Dawydchak ~ Andrew is an accomplished musician and an appreciator of the arts. A passion that he was surrounded by growing up, Andrew enjoys the challenges of shooting many styles of photography in different types of controlled and dynamic environments.

The Ontario Open is thrilled to have Andrew join us this year - be sure to give a smile if you see him!