Kate Hennessey, an emerging singer-songwriter and musician from Dartmouth, NS, creates alternative pop and genre-blending music with her own original style, rich in depth and emotion. Already winning critical acclaim for her soaring vocals and range, she performs original and cover songs with fresh phrasing that captivates audiences.
As a teen dedicated to excellence in academics, sports and music, Kate began singing and songwriting while pursuing her passion as one of Canada’s elite sprint canoe paddlers, winning many national titles, and competing internationally for Team Canada. Balancing her love of sports with her music hobby, she was recognized in CBC’s 2016 Searchlight competition as one of “20 Standouts Under 20”. When she crossed the finish line in sports, she turned to music as a potential career. Kate studied songwriting and performing at Acadia University and, for the first time, began vocal lessons, classically training her voice.
In May 2023, Kate received her Bachelor of Music degree from Acadia, and among several scholarships, was presented with the Curtis H and Margaret T Chapman Achievement Award for a student who “promises to bring joy to those for whom she will perform.” At 24, Kate is already delivering on that promise of bringing joy to her audiences with her musicality and the emotional intensity she pours into every song. As one fan noted, when she sings a ballad her voice sounds like a “river of soul.”
In the last year, Kate’s invitations as a backup vocalist and solo artist have grown. She performed at the Full Circle Festival (supporting fellow Acadia grad Freya Milliken), and joined Freya to open for Terra Spencer at her holiday concert at the Al Whittle Theatre. She was a featured solo artist for a Feed Nova Scotia fundraiser accompanied by Reuben Gilbert of The Gilberts. Kate was invited to the Back to the Gardens festival to sing her original music. She made her television debut on CTV’s Holiday Magic, a fundraiser for the Dartmouth General Hospital both on stage and on CTV’s national network where she wowed the crowds with her moving version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. She also opened recently for Daniel James McFadyen to celebrate and launch his new single, “Sunshine”.
Kate’s first single, “June”, comes out June 9, with her first EP, “Dreams” to follow, on June 30, streaming on all platforms.