Kathryn Tickell is the foremost exponent of the Northumbrian pipes; a composer, performer, educator and successful recording artist with many releases to her name, whose work is deeply rooted in the landscape and people of Northumbria. She has performed across the world, in concert venues, theatres and on television.

From her first album, released at the age of 16, Kathryn has carried the voices of her family and her Northumbrian traditions in her pipe and fiddle playing. Long admired by musicians and collaborators such as Jacob Collier, Sting and The Penguin Café Orchestra, Kathryn works across many genres, creating material that is contemporary and exciting. ‘Folk Tunes From The Women’ was published by Faber Music in 2023 – a collection of tunes by 100 contemporary female composers from Britain and Ireland, curated by Kathryn. She is a regular presenter for BBC Radio 3’s popular roots music programme Music Planet.

Kathryn has been awarded the OBE, recognising her extraordinary career, and the Queen’s Medal for Music for her outstanding contribution to British music; the first non-classical recipient of this award. She has twice won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Musician of the Year.

Amongst her extensive work on her home ground, Kathryn set up a new community interest company Magnetic North-East in 2016, to celebrate and promote the distinctive cultural identity of the North-East of England. She is also founder of The Young Musicians Fund at the Community Foundation, which has raised over £100,000 for young people in the area.

“To say that Kathryn plays pipes is like saying that Shakespeare was a bit of a writer…one of the true stars of our music. “ The Living Tradition