THE crowd was welcomed into the HebCelt festival in the An Lanntair arts centre on Wednesday.

An all-female choir from the Nicolson Institute, Coisesr Sgoil Mchicneacil joined Between Islands musicians: Kathleen Macinnes, Linda McLeod, Brian Cromarty, Douglas Montgomery and Jenny Keldie on stage.

The audience stomped their feet for an encore before everyone took part in a traditional Scottish ceilidh.

Thursday's live performances will be TRIP, Eddi Reader, Skipinnish and Trail West.

Iona Fyfe, a young singer-songwriter from Aberdeenshire is at HebCelt as winner of the festival's Next Steps contest for talent. She will be playing on the LWP Islands stage on Friday at 2pm.

We caught up with Iona to find out more about the upcoming artist.

Could you share some interesting facts about yourself with us?

I work with the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland as a national director and I'm also such a thing as a world champion diddler. It's not a very common Scottish tradition but after festivals.

What's your earliest memory of music?

When I was four or five, my family were very musical but not so much in regards to singing. I decided to attend The Traditional Music & Song Association's (TMSA) Keith Festival where revivalists sing ballads traditional style.

It just came really natural to me through competitive ballad singing but I didn't think I would do it professionally until I enrolled at The Royal Conservatoire Scotland.

The Year of Young People programme is the focal point of this year's festival. What does this mean to you?

It's important for young people to get involved because, in the next 30 or 40 years, we'll be the ones powering the festival.

Festivals do usually give young people opportunities but, I feel that many think youth involvement equates to lack of experience.

I have never had an issue with my gender being a female musician but, I have had people overlook me because of my age.

Who are you looking forward to sharing the stage with this week?

I'm really looking forward to seeing Roddy Woomble, and also Kinnaris Quintet. They're an all-female group folk music group from Glasgow. I can't wait to see Saltfishforty, they're incredible performers and also very comedic.

If you could play with anyone live, who would it be?

I'd love to play with English Folk singer Martin Simpson. His guitar style is really cool and I would love to have him accompany me.

Where would you most like to play live?

I'd love to take ballads to Carnegie Hall or Madison Square Garden but for now, Aberdeenshire.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

I did a fellowship in Scottish traditional voice, so that's the highest non-bachelor award. It's also a top-up from my own degree that I can teach.

In the future, I see myself living comfortably, creating music and working on lots of different projects. One day, I'd like to study for a Ph.D. in Ethology but at the moment, I just want to create more music and make a second album.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Develop a thick skin. For every yes I've received, I've had 10 people saying no. There's so much rejection on a daily basis but I've learned to deal with it in a positive way.

Sophie McLean is a guest of HebCelt 2018 as part of The Year of Young People 2018.

HebCelt 2018 takes place from July 18-21 with limited tickets still available.

Visit hebceltfest.com