Nancy Kerr

Nancy Kerr is a prominent figure in the English folk scene, frequently featured at the Chippenham Folk Festival as both a performer and educator. A highly respected fiddle player and singer, she is widely recognised for her work with James Fagan, forming a celebrated Anglo-Australian duo known for their "toe-tapping melodies," tight vocal harmonies, and masterful use of the fiddle, bouzouki, and guitar. At the 2026 festival, she appears in multiple capacities, including as part of the reunited trio Kerr Fagan Van Eyken. Alongside James Fagan and Tim van Eyken, she delivers "highly danceable instrumentals" and lush arrangements that highlight her ability to blend traditional styles with sophisticated, modern folk sensibilities. Beyond her musical performances, Nancy explores the historical and cultural roots of the tradition. She joins Lucy Whitfield for the event "Wiltshire Women and Music – From the Archives to the Airwaves," a conversation delving into regional musical heritage and the voices of women within that history. Whether performing original compositions or examining archival records, she remains a "perennial favourite" at the festival, lauded for her outstanding musicianship and lifelong grounding in the folk tradition.