Kathryn has also contributed to four Sting albums, as well as joining him to play live at Newcastle City Hall, Carnegie Hall NY, and also on TV.

1997 included performances on BBC TV’s Later with Jools and live on Andy Kershaw’s BBC Radio 3 programme. The same year Kathryn founded The Young Musicians Fund. Managed by The Community Foundation, the fund aims to help young people in the North East region to realise their musical potential.

In August 1999 Kathryn was awarded a bursary from the Britten-Pears Foundation to study composition with Judith Weir at Dartington International Summer School.

In 2000 Lordenshaws, Kathryn’s piece for pipes and small ensemble, was premiered, toured and broadcast. The other major project of the year was Ensemble Mystical – an exciting new group set up by Kathryn and including musicians from classical, jazz and folk backgrounds. The album Kathryn Tickell and Ensemble Mystical was released in the autumn and was followed by a sell out tour.

2001 saw Kathryn touring in Uganda, Canada, Italy, France and the UK. Collaboration with jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard resulted in a major multi-media work which was premiered at the opening of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. It was also released as a limited edition CD.

In September 2001 the Kathryn Tickell Band performed as part of the Last Night of the Proms celebrations, the first time the event had included traditional folk music. The performance was broadcast nationally and internationally.