Kathleen Parks is a fiddler, singer, and songwriter who brings joyful and creative energy to the stage and studio. She has been heavily involved in touring and recording with the band Twisted Pine and her duo Kat & Brad, where she sings, writes, and fiddles for both. Her writing leans toward Pop, Folk, and classic Jazz, while her virtuosic fiddle blends and reimagines traditional and modern musical styles with boundless groove, and a playful improvisational spirit. Her deep grounding in Celtic and American roots music blends with her love for pop songwriting, funk rhythms, soulful vocals, and groove-based improvisation, making every performance unexpected yet familiar: a musical journey from beginning to end.
For Kathleen, music is not about perfection, but feeling. This is what has always driven her to write, sing, and play. Without feeling, why play music? Music is a means to express and release our emotions. Understand the feeling, move the energy, and bring joy and healing in. Connection to yourself is key to playing, to playing with others, and moving an audience. Kathleen strives to always bring this musical value to her teaching and performances alike.
What’s on the horizon? In 2024 Kathleen is releasing her debut solo album highlighting her songwriting, original fiddle tunes, and a few choice covers. Accompanied by a full band, or just her fiddle and voice, this album has the warmth and feel of some of Kathleen's favorite Americana artists and influences: John Hartford, Carole King, Patsy Cline, Harry Nilsson, Roger Miller, and Gordon Lightfoot. A new album from her band, Twisted Pine, is also in the making with a release scheduled in the fall. Be sure to look for both of these albums!
Over the years Kathleen has shared the stage with some of her heroes such as Paula Cole, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Gordon Lightfoot, Aoife O’Donovan, The Punch Brothers, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull, Brian O’Donovan, John Whelan, and others. She was a featured covergirl for Fiddler Magazine.