Interviews
Thwarting anxiety to take the stage: How one Truro singer overcame herself
Kelsey Erskine’s newest single, 'Rolling With Fire', is out now, EP on the way
By Brendyn Creamer, Contributed
Published Sep 02, 2025 3 minute read
TRURO – Kelsey Erskine had always been surrounded by music. Her parents and siblings were both involved in the arts. She began teaching herself how to play guitar and piano around 11. She has written songs since she was a kid.
However, when she was in high school in her hometown of Truro, she faced a dilemma.
“I had this really bad panic attack after one of the school talent shows,” said Erskine. “I, actually, walked away from music entirely. I couldn’t perform in front of people.”
Now, years later, Erskine is in the music arts program at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). She performs at open mics in Halifax and Truro, and has even recently released a single featuring Pictou County’s own Andre Pettipas, titled ‘Rolling with Fire’. So, how did Erskine get to this point? How do you recover from your own mind telling you that you aren’t good enough at what you want to do?
The answer is deceptively simple – you find a reason to do it anyway.