Christine Kydd

Scottish vocalist Christine Kydd grew up with music. At family gatherings, relatives played the piano while everyone joined in the singing. At the age of six, she teamed with two friends to form a fledgling vocal harmony trio. At school, she joined the choir, and by the age of nine she took up the piano. Two years later, she developed an interest in the guitar, thanks to a friend. Her parents bought her a guitar, but not without a lot of cajoling on Kydd's part first. She continued her involvement with music when she went off to St. Andrews University, and later when she settled in Edinburgh. In the city, she found work with John Barrow, who was the Edinburgh Folk Festival's director at the time. Kydd has cited Barrow as an influence, and has said that he made her realize the significance and magnitude of what she calls stage craft, or presentation. Kydd went on to work with Janet Russell and recorded with Chantan. During these associations, she also honed her craft as a solo artist. The Aberdeen Alternative Festival named Kydd its traditional Musician in Residence, and she appeared on stage at festivals in Irvine and Sidmouth. She was Singer in Residence at Lochaber's Highland Festival, and her other festival performances include the Edinburgh Festival & Fringe, the Linlithgow Renaissance Festival, and Lancashire's Four Fools Festival, among others. Club work has drawn her across the Scottish countryside, as well as to England. Travels to the U.S., Ireland, and Germany followed. She has performed with the Tannahill Weavers, Christy Moore, and Capercaillie. Kydd has given workshops in voice and Scottish song in the U.S., the U.K., and throughout Europe.