Sarah McLachlan

Biography

With over 30 years in the recording industry, Sarah McLachlan is a multi-platinum singer and songwriter best known for her intimate vocals and relatable lyrics. Canadian-born, McLachlan is a multiple Grammy and Juno Award winning artist who has sold over 40 million albums throughout her career and was recently inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. McLachlan has also been awarded the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Visionary Award and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

In addition to her personal artistic efforts, in 1997 McLachlan founded the Lilith Fair tour, which showcased female musicians and brought more than 2 million people together over its three-year run. Lilith Fair raised over $7 million for local and national charities and helped launch the careers of numerous female performers. The festival was the most successful all-female music event and was the top-grossing touring festival during its run.

In 2002 McLachlan founded her non-profit organization, the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. The School of Music serves over 1,000 at-risk and underserved youth in Vancouver and Edmonton each year and provides, at no cost:
• A high-quality music program staffed with talented mentors, youth facilitators & guest artists
• A space for at-risk and underserved children and youth to develop the confidence they need to explore their strengths and overcome their challenges
• An opportunity for students to develop strong relationships with their peers and instructors
• A long-term commitment that nurtures trust, growth, and personal development

The school is funded entirely through private donations and McLachlan covers 100% of the administrative costs through her Foundation, so that all funds raised go directly to the student's education. The scientific evidence of music's value is increasing every day, there is no doubt that music has a positive effect on every child's life.