<< Biography >>

Born in Charlesbourg, Quebec, Johanne McInnis traveled a long way to master the art of playing the harp. Today, she sees herself as a troubadour; going everywhere her music is welcome.

It is in 1993, while visiting a harp factory, that Johanne McInnis was seduced by the harp. From that time onward, she dedicated her time in playing this ancient music instrument. Now, she carries her inseparable friend to play in Irish pubs and concert halls of Quebec, Ontario, Maritimes including Newfoundland.

“I like the philosophy and history behind the harp; this instrument reveals from the past. It’s almost a therapy since the special atmosphere created by harp music induces reflection”, says Johanne.

She invested a lot of energy in her academic training. At 19 years old, she learned the piano during high school and through college studies; she flew to France where she attended the French, Canadian University for one year. Enjoying changes of scenery, she went around Europe, and then came back in Canada at the bilingual University of Sudbury, Ontario. Surrounded by lakes, this university has student residences that offer a wonderful view. During the four years spent there, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in music as well as teaching certificates in French and in English. She had only started a master’s degree at the University of Ottawa when she was offered a job as a teacher in Quebec, which led her to go back in this region. After many busy years in teaching, Johanne received invitations to play the harp in different cafés, pubs and small concert halls… and that is how she began to perform in public!

For the past few years, the demand for ambient music has been increasing and Johanne McInnis has been providing more and more varied performances in very different places. She is often invited to play in private homes or in great hotels of the Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland region. She gives concerts and plays for weddings, receptions and funerals (soothing music in the funeral home). In addition to that experience, Johanne McInnis offers harp workshops in libraries and schools. She also prepares English drama workshops to help children in learning English or French as a second language.

Her latest CD, Nature speaks, was released in December 2001. This quote gives a great summary of the inspiration behind “Nature speaks”
“In our modern world, true silence is rarely experienced. It is almost as if we conspire to avoid it. It forces us to pay attention do ideas and emotions we make little time for. Silence is disturbing because it is the wavelength of the soul. Perhaps silence itself is the mystery at the heart of life and music”. “… Harp music is ideal for many circumstances…”

Her third and fourth albums are under preparation. The third one, temporarily entitled Seasons’ Lives, will end the trilogy on the themes of nature and human nature. The fourth album, temporarily entitled Beyond Appearances, should feature improvised jazz with a blend of three instruments: harp and voice, bass and some percussion including the colors of the bagpipe. Beyond any doubt, a music full of promises…

Johanne McInnis also performs on stage, playing different instruments: harp, piano, guitar and flute. In private concert, she can perform as a soloist or in duo. As a soloist, she can host the event and enhance it with soft easy listening music. In duo, she plays either with violinist Anne Hébert or with bass player Renaud Labelle. Anne Hébert’s classic-romantic repertoire is tailor-made for open-air concerts surrounded by nature sounds, while Renaud Labelle, the style is described as light Celtic improvised jazz. “I am fascinated by what we create together; we improvise according the moment’s inspiration. Harp and bass just blend together so well”, says Johanne. The formula A music style to discover, appearing on her business cards, perfectly reflects her aspiration. Her repertoire ranges from Celtic, medieval and popular to romantic and even jazz. After all is said and done, we could say that Johanne has more that forty string… to her harp! Johanne McInnis also combines the talent of a musician to that of a businesswoman. She manages her career, adjusting her musical performances to her family demands. In conclusion, Johanne McInnis sincerely believes a lot of people are searching for a purity of sound that will enhance reflection, self-awareness, and encourage them to take time to live and regain energy. That is what emerges from her first two albums, the music of the first one being orchestrated with soothing nature of nature. Quote from Robert Toupin describing his impression of “Harp orchestrated by nature” (English teacher, French Canandian University in France) "PEACEFUL MUSIC THAT CREATES AN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH NATURE, THE WITNESS OF OUR PROFOUND FEELINGS… WE ALSO RECOGNIZE, HERE AND THERE, THE HARSH SIDE OF NATURE THAT GETS OVER OBSTACLES THROUGH A THUNDERSTORM – IN ORDER FOR US TO APPRECIATE THE LIGHT THAT COMES AFTER THE DARKNESS. MUSIC OF GREAT RELAXATION.”

Some sources of inspirations
INDIVIDUALS
Anne Murray, James Taylor, Francis Cabrel, Bruce Coburn, Debussy, Ravel, Bartok, Oliver Jones, Tchaikovsky, Scott Joplin, Michael Hedges, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Louise Guay, Sylvain Cossette (human), Felix Leclerc, La Bolduc, Gilles Vigneault

MUSIC GROUPS
Genesis, America, Emerson Like & Palmer, U2, Rush, Sting, Gospel Choir, Windham Hill (recordings), Harmonium, Beau Dommage, Day Break, Nat King Cole, The Chieftains.

“Children have no past and no future and they live for the present moment; perhaps it’s an idea we should cultivate.”