About

The Stornoway Gazette wrote, “Her singing left me goose-pimpled all over – a sure sign of a gutsy, emotional delivery laced with meaning and pathos”.

Norah is the lead vocalist and wooden flautist of UK-based band, The Outside Track, one half of folk-Irish trad duo, Norah Rendell & Brian Miller with Minneapolis guitarist and singer, Brian Miller and flautist in Paddy O'Brien's Doon Ceili Band.

Norah’s deep interest in traditional and historical music began as a professional recorder player. Through many twists and turns (and pubs), her music took a sharp turn toward folk music in her early twenties when she discovered the rich oral tradition of Ireland, in Vancouver of all places.  Soon after, 5-piece Canadian roots band, Cleia and Celtic trio, The Maenads were formed.  In 2003, Norah co-founded the all-female a cappella group, the No Shit Shirleys through her involvement in the Universal Gospel Choir.  All three groups toured regionally in British Columbia and Alberta including feature performances at the Vancouver Folk Festival, Mission Folk Festival and the Rogue Folk Club.

During this time, Norah also earned a reputation for being skilled in creating rich and unexpected vocal harmonies on the spot and has been hired by many singer-songwriters as a back-up singer live and in the studio including Dale Rasmussen, Tim Readman, Amy Stephens, Dana Irving and Massey 44.

In 2005, Norah relocated temporarily to Ireland to complete a Masters degree in traditional Irish music supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.  Since graduating in 2007, her music career has been quickly gaining momentum.  2007 saw the release of no less than three albums alongside extensive touring in England, Scotland, Ireland, Midwestern USA and BC with The Outside Track and guitarist, Brian Miller.

Norah graduated from McGill University in 2000 with a first class honours BMus in Early Music Performance and Music Education.  Her professional recorder career has seen Norah as a featured soloist with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra and The Burney ensemble and workshops for Early Music Vancouver and the BC Recorder Society in 2001-2005.

In addition to her work with The Outside Track, Norah is currently working with Paddy O’Brien’s Doon Ceili Band and has recently released an album with guitarist, Brian Miller (Gan Bua, Tommie Cunniffe, Doon Ceili Band, 5 Mile Chase) called, “Wait There Pretty One”. 

For more info on Norah's teaching, go to the teaching page.

Check out Norah's UK/Irish-based band, The Outside Track