Kerensa

Kerensa fell in love with the Hammered Dulcimer during her early teens. She had been playing whistles and singing for a while, but on experiencing Jim Couza performing for the first time for the first time she was instantly hooked!

From the age of 15 she was well known on the folk scene, launching the ‘Acoustic Youth’ organisation & band, running youth workshops & performing at festivals across the UK. She also played and recorded as part of a duo with Tim van Eyken and was a regular performer with T.A.P’s village hall roadshows, playing alongside Roger Watson in an everchanging, multi-cultural line-up for dancing.

When Kerensa returned to Cornwall at the age of 21 she became immersed in the rich tradition of the Cornish music scene. She continued to perform both as a solo musician and with various line-ups. These included a duo with singer / guitarist Steve Hunt and Cornish trio Ahanan with whom she contributed to the soundtrack for the first Cornish language film ‘Hwerow Hweg . However, Kerensa is probably best known for her work with Cornish band ‘Leski’ who recorded and performed regularly at festivals and folk clubs up until around 2015 when she was forced to take a break from performing.

2020 was the year that saw Kerensa make a comeback, releasing her first solo album in years ‘Hammering Home’ and getting back to performing. She began to run regular Hammered Dulcimer workshops, which led to the formation of the ‘Kernow Dulcimer Collective’ who currently run Dulcimer and Cornish music workshops and events in Cornwall and beyond!

Now in 2023, Kerensa is proud to be working with new musical line-ups including Celtic instrumental trio ‘Cove’ and high energy Cornish Nos Lowen Band ‘Bagas Fellyon’. She is also excited about the release of her first Cornish music album ‘Kan Hweg’ featuring a fine line-up of guest musicians!

“From the most intimate of folk clubs to the biggest of stages, Kerensa is equally at home as a performer”