Chris MacLean's bell-like voice sings straight from the heart. With the eye of a painter her lyrics focus on the details of ordinary life in an extraordinary way. Using a simple approach to writing, she draws the listener into sketches of love (new, lost, frayed), friendship, motherhood, and the journey of the soul. Chris writes with the passion of one who has triumphed over adversity, is unsatisfied with merely surviving and is finally flourishing.

Chris has traveled to Africa twice in recent years. The experience affected her deeply and she is always interested in telling the stories of her travels and how they have changed her life. She writes from a personal perspective, but her most recent writings highlight universal issues of racial equality, fair trade, protection of the environment and human rights.

Since the release of her debut album 'Learn to Be Loved' in 2000 Chris has been busy on several musical fronts. She continues to write and perform solo works, and is working on a second album. She plays in and has recorded with the world music group Galitcha. She most recently became part of the trio; Frida's Brow along with Jennifer Noxon and Alise Marlane and has recorded a 4 song demo with that group. Chris's voice can be heard on several independent projects, including Ian Tamblyn's 'Voice in the Wilderness'; Chris White's recently released recording entitled ‘Inner Voice’ and 'The Christmas Goose' a compilation of original seasonal songs by the Ottawa chapter of Writer's Block. She has also worked with Ruth Stewart Verger on her storytelling CD "In God Knows Where" - a fascinating tale of Marie Anne Lagimodiere - Louis Riel's grandmotherand also known as the 'godmother' of the Metis. Chris and Ruth toured the show across Alberta and at the Toronto Storytelling Festival in 2005.

Chris grew up In Peterborough Ontario, on a steady musical diet of classical, jazz and folk and began writing her own material at age 13. When she was an 18 year old art college student she met Mae Moore and the two teamed up as a folk singing duo. In her 20's she sang and played mandolin in the Ottawa based bluegrass band, The Elam Plectorial Society. After taking a 15 year hiatus from her music career to raise a family, Chris returned to the stage in the late 1990's. She started performing Ottawa stages at Rasputin's, The Black Sheep, Perfect Strangers and Lucky Ron’s, backed by musicians including Ken Kanwisher (bass), Alan Marsden (guitars), Greg Brown (fiddle and concertina) and Terry Tufts (guitar, vocals). She has been recognized with two Awards of Achievement in the Unisong international songwriting competition, for her compositions Diamond In My Heart and Light of Day.

Chris has performed at Blue Skies Festival, the Ottawa Folk Festival, Kingston Folk Festival, Thalia's Voice Festival and The Women’s Voices Festival. She's twice been chosen to showcase at the Capital Music Conference and has had a number of dates with the Ottawa Fringe Festival. She’s been featured on Ottawa's The New RO and CJOH television, has appeared frequently as a guest on Carleton University’s CKCU Radio and was on CBC radio’s final Heartland show with host Bill Stunt. She’s had frequent airplay on CKCU, CBC radio - both regional and national - including This Morning with Shelagh Rogers, CBC’s satellite station, Galaxy and college radio stations across Canada.

She enjoys an excellent following in her hometown and frequently plays Ottawa venus including The 4th Stage National Arts Centre, The Black Sheep Inn, and Rasputin's as well as numerous benefit concerts.

Chris works as a full-time musician, with occasional work as a freelance graphic designer. She plays guitar, dulcimer, harmonium and several percussion instruments. She lives in a communal house 25 minutes north of Ottawa in the Gatineau Hills, loves to garden and has a reputation as a being pretty good at North Indian style cooking.

“Experience, maturity and fulfilling a life’s dream after facing some tough challenges. That begins to account for the lyrical depth of her songwriting, the control of her silvery voice and the easy flow of her melodies.” Lynn Saxberg - The Ottawa Citizen

“She posseses a passion for the music she creates; good songwriting; interesting arrangements; her own distinct voice; a dedication to practice; a compelling stage presence and finally and perhaps most importantly, a warm, vivid sense of humour and fun.” Paul Symes - The Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield Quebec

“Chris is an undiscovered treasure with a pure voice.” Mae Moore - international recording artist

“Emotions drive this songwriter, and move her audiences. I enjoy the creativity, the talent, and the sincerity of this songwriter. Her audiences have all voiced their appreciation, as have I.” Dean Verger - Rasputin’s Folk Club

“Chris MacLean sings right from her heart. In concert she is quietly mesmerizing, singing very personal songs with a marvellous sense of phrasing and the purest of voices.” Al Rankin - Artistic Director - Blue Skies Music Festival

“Her potent lyrics and exquisite voice awaken the listener’s heart. This is music that needs to be heard.” Chris White - Artistic Director - Ottawa Folk Festival