Kerry Bursey is a Montréal-born Canadian tenor and plucked-string instrumentalist active on the international stage. A standout figure within Canada’s early music scene, he is praised for his “voice made of dreamy troubadouresque sweetness” (Ôlyrix), described as a “clear, ringing, pure-voiced tenor” (Early Music America), and lauded as a “complete artist” (La Scena Musicale). Equally sought after as a lutenist and guitarist, he is particularly recognized for his mastery of self-accompaniment, moving fluidly between Renaissance lute song, baroque arias, and folk traditions.

 

Kerry maintains a richly varied career as both singer and instrumentalist, performing repertoire that spans oratorio, one-per-part polyphony, continuo playing, and solo song. He has appeared as a soloist at major international venues and festivals including the Southbank Centre, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Ruhrtriennale, Park Avenue Armory, Manchester International Festival, Bregenzer Festspiele, and Holland Festival, with performances extending across Europe, America, and Asia.

 

He tours internationally with his ensemble Ménestrel, co-founded with soprano Janelle Lucyk. The ensemble explores both written and oral traditions, bridging historical repertoire with folk practices. In 2024, Ménestrel completed an exceptional pan-Canadian tour encompassing all provinces and territories. Kerry is also a member of Les Barocudas, the baroque group led by violinist Marie Nadeau-Tremblay. He was part of her latest album, Obsession, which has been awarded album of the year prize at the Prix Opus in the Early Music category, as well as a JUNO nomination for best classical album in the soloist category.

 

Beyond the classical world, Kerry is active as a session musician and creative collaborator across genres, from popular music to film and video games. He has composed and performed soundtracks for film and has notably contributed as a singer and instrumentalist to several entries in the Assassin’s Creed series.

 

Kerry holds a master’s degree in classical guitar from the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and is a laureate of the 2012 Grand Prix de Guitare de Montréal.