Loreena McKennitt
Band Story
I grew up in rural Manitoba, Canada, the daughter of a nurse and a livestock dealer, and enjoyed a fairly free and easy rural childhood. I aspired to be a veterinarian as a child but, in the way that “the best-laid plans go sideways,” I found that music chose me rather than the other way around.
Interestingly, even after many years of performing, I don’t consider myself to have the strong, extroverted personality best suited for a career in music. I’m more comfortable on a farm or in an informal gathering of friends. I became smitten with what is now referred to as Celtic music in the late 1970s, but it was only when I began to connect with its history that my journey truly began.
At an exhibition of Celtic artifacts in Venice in 1991, I learned about the geographic and historical spread of the Celts. I found myself drawn into a rich, ancient tapestry of sounds, rhythms, and stories. I discovered myths and traditions that echo one another across far corners of the globe—people who share traits and yet remain distinct.
My starting point is the belief that, in one way or another, we are all extensions of each other’s history. Wanting to learn about our neighbors is also a desire to learn about ourselves. I have simply chosen the Celtic vehicle to explore that. No doubt I could have chosen another conduit for my music—say, the history of hats—and experienced just as fascinating a journey. But Celtic history has taken me to many places and people around the world, and into paths and themes with little or no Celtic connection at all.
Music is not only a marvelous medium for self-education and creative expression; I’m also in awe of its unique capacity to influence mood, psychological states, and physical health. This is clearly seen in the field of music therapy—not just for humans but for animals too. I think of dairy farmers who pipe classical music into their barns to encourage cows to give more milk. Or of the film The Story of the Weeping Camel, set in Mongolia, in which a mother camel rejects her calf, only to reclaim it after a traditional musical ritual. I think of the MIT professor who uses MRI scans to study how Kundalini yoga's chanting and meditation affect the brain.
I am deeply interested in these connections between physiology, spirituality, and psychology—the intersections where inspiration and creativity are born.
Beyond music, I have a free-ranging curiosity and a rather hefty filing cabinet to prove it. My drawers are packed with clippings and material on subjects ranging from child development to environmental issues, agriculture, politics, food and nutrition, puppetry, religion, and global affairs. Many of these interests are interwoven into my daily life and the work we do at Quinlan Road. I believe it's essential to give back and be part of our larger communities.
In 1998, I started the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety, after three people very dear to me—Ronald Rees, Richard Rees, and Gregory Cook—tragically perished in a boating accident not far from where I live. Thanks to the generosity of friends and supporters in Stratford, across Canada, and around the world, we’ve been able to fund a range of water safety education programs, as well as search, rescue, and recovery initiatives. It has been incredibly inspiring to meet the brave, dedicated individuals who risk their lives to protect others on the water every day.
Another project close to my heart is the Falstaff Family Centre. It began as an effort to save a decommissioned schoolhouse in my hometown and give it new life. Working with the community, we’ve transformed this historic riverside building into a hub for children's programs and community activities.
Each spring, I make time to plant a garden, maintaining a personal connection to food, land, and the rhythm of the seasons. Every autumn, I pause to celebrate the harvest at Thanksgiving.
Just as a company builds its mission on values and principles, I’ve done the same for myself. These guiding beliefs serve as compass points I return to whenever I face personal or professional decisions. I strive to live by them, and I share them here:
Be compassionate and never forget how to love.
Think inclusively.
Reclaim noble values: truth, honesty, honour, courage.
Respect your elders and learn from their wisdom.
Be empathetic.
Look after those less fortunate in society.
Promote and protect diversity.
Respect the gifts of the natural world.
Set your goals high and take pride in your work.
Care for your body; as the ancient Greeks believed, your mind will serve you better for it.
Give back to your community—you are reaping what others have sown before you.
Participate in and protect democracy; it doesn’t thrive as a spectator sport.
Undertake due diligence in all things.
Seek balance, space, and solitude.
Don’t be afraid to feel passionate about something.
Learn to be an advocate and ambassador for good.
Be mindful of your limitations.
Indulge and nurture your curiosity—it will keep you vital.
Take charge of your life; don’t fall into the pit of entitlement.
Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.
ChatGPT isn't designed to provide this type of content.
Interestingly, even after many years of performing, I don’t consider myself to have the strong, extroverted personality best suited for a career in music. I’m more comfortable on a farm or in an informal gathering of friends. I became smitten with what is now referred to as Celtic music in the late 1970s, but it was only when I began to connect with its history that my journey truly began.
At an exhibition of Celtic artifacts in Venice in 1991, I learned about the geographic and historical spread of the Celts. I found myself drawn into a rich, ancient tapestry of sounds, rhythms, and stories. I discovered myths and traditions that echo one another across far corners of the globe—people who share traits and yet remain distinct.
My starting point is the belief that, in one way or another, we are all extensions of each other’s history. Wanting to learn about our neighbors is also a desire to learn about ourselves. I have simply chosen the Celtic vehicle to explore that. No doubt I could have chosen another conduit for my music—say, the history of hats—and experienced just as fascinating a journey. But Celtic history has taken me to many places and people around the world, and into paths and themes with little or no Celtic connection at all.
Music is not only a marvelous medium for self-education and creative expression; I’m also in awe of its unique capacity to influence mood, psychological states, and physical health. This is clearly seen in the field of music therapy—not just for humans but for animals too. I think of dairy farmers who pipe classical music into their barns to encourage cows to give more milk. Or of the film The Story of the Weeping Camel, set in Mongolia, in which a mother camel rejects her calf, only to reclaim it after a traditional musical ritual. I think of the MIT professor who uses MRI scans to study how Kundalini yoga's chanting and meditation affect the brain.
I am deeply interested in these connections between physiology, spirituality, and psychology—the intersections where inspiration and creativity are born.
Beyond music, I have a free-ranging curiosity and a rather hefty filing cabinet to prove it. My drawers are packed with clippings and material on subjects ranging from child development to environmental issues, agriculture, politics, food and nutrition, puppetry, religion, and global affairs. Many of these interests are interwoven into my daily life and the work we do at Quinlan Road. I believe it's essential to give back and be part of our larger communities.
In 1998, I started the Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety, after three people very dear to me—Ronald Rees, Richard Rees, and Gregory Cook—tragically perished in a boating accident not far from where I live. Thanks to the generosity of friends and supporters in Stratford, across Canada, and around the world, we’ve been able to fund a range of water safety education programs, as well as search, rescue, and recovery initiatives. It has been incredibly inspiring to meet the brave, dedicated individuals who risk their lives to protect others on the water every day.
Another project close to my heart is the Falstaff Family Centre. It began as an effort to save a decommissioned schoolhouse in my hometown and give it new life. Working with the community, we’ve transformed this historic riverside building into a hub for children's programs and community activities.
Each spring, I make time to plant a garden, maintaining a personal connection to food, land, and the rhythm of the seasons. Every autumn, I pause to celebrate the harvest at Thanksgiving.
Just as a company builds its mission on values and principles, I’ve done the same for myself. These guiding beliefs serve as compass points I return to whenever I face personal or professional decisions. I strive to live by them, and I share them here:
Be compassionate and never forget how to love.
Think inclusively.
Reclaim noble values: truth, honesty, honour, courage.
Respect your elders and learn from their wisdom.
Be empathetic.
Look after those less fortunate in society.
Promote and protect diversity.
Respect the gifts of the natural world.
Set your goals high and take pride in your work.
Care for your body; as the ancient Greeks believed, your mind will serve you better for it.
Give back to your community—you are reaping what others have sown before you.
Participate in and protect democracy; it doesn’t thrive as a spectator sport.
Undertake due diligence in all things.
Seek balance, space, and solitude.
Don’t be afraid to feel passionate about something.
Learn to be an advocate and ambassador for good.
Be mindful of your limitations.
Indulge and nurture your curiosity—it will keep you vital.
Take charge of your life; don’t fall into the pit of entitlement.
Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.
ChatGPT isn't designed to provide this type of content.
Band Members
Loreena McKennitt
Loreena McKennitt
Location: AMERICA NORTH: Canada: Ontario
Genre: Celtic