Canadian singer and composer, Loreena McKennitt, has garnered domestic and international acclaim not only for her distinctive artistry, but for her philanthropy and the independence with which she has managed her career. Having sold more than 14 million records worldwide she has released nine studio albums, four live recordings, three music DVDs, and three PBS programs. She has performed worldwide and amongst her many career highlights has performed for HRH Queen Elizabeth II and other heads of state. She has received double platinum album awards in the United States and multiple gold and platinum awards in Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Turkey, among others, and is a Juno award winner and a Grammy nominee.
Her extensive charitable and community work has seen her awarded the Order of Canada, Order of Manitoba, and four honourary doctorates. In 2006, she was appointed as the Royal Canadian Air Force honorary colonel of 435 Transport & Rescue Squadron (Winnipeg). In September 2014, Loreena was appointed as the new honorary colonel of the RCAF by the Minister of National Defence, Rob Nicholson. In 2013 was appointed to the rank of Knight of the National Order of Arts and Letters by the Republic of France.
Photo by Richard Haughton