bio

Ellorie McKnight (she/her) is a bilingual singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (guitar and oldtime fiddle), square dance caller, and climate researcher currently living, working, and creating art on the territories of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Finding its place in the Canadiana-indie-folk genre, Ellorie’s songwriting is inspired by vast landscapes,  a wild heart, and endless dreaming. Her songs are shaped by delicate vocals, lyrics painting thoughtful reflections of both the individual and collective human experience, and a nostalgia which invites wonder and dreaming. Both her solo and with band performances evoke deep emotion and contemplation about relationships, modernity, and what comes next. She currently performs with an all-women band including Jill McKenna on upright bass, Chloe Davidson on fiddle, and Brigitte Desjardins on drums. 

She released her first solo EP in 2021, titled for the heart’s sake, recorded at Green Needle Records in Whitehorse, Yukon. This record is an intimate short collection of stripped down songs (acoustic guitar and vocals). Her second EP, titled Equinox, was released in 2024 and showcases six songs recorded as a live, in-studio, off-the floor performance with full band. The record features Brigitte Desjardins on drums, Jeff Dineley on bass, Ryan McNally on pedal steel and vocals, and Kieran Poile on fiddle. Ellorie is recording her first full length full band album in 2026. 

Ellorie has performed and recorded with a number of acclaimed Canadian musicians including Hendrika (harmonies), Chloe Laberge (harmonies and violin on Chasing Dawn, 2023 & duo record titled Crows, 2014), and Ryan McNally (duo record, self-titled, 2022). She has also performed at festivals across Canada as well as internationally (both solo and with band for her songwriting, as well as a fiddler & caller for square dances), including as official showcase artist at Viva Sounds Sweden (2025) and Folk Music Ontario (2025). Other performance highlights include Canmore Folk Festival (2025), Artswells Festival (2025), Tiny Lights Festival (2025, 2024), Woodstove Festival (2025, 2023), Ignite the Arts Festival (2025), Alaska Folk Festival (2025, 2023), official showcase artist at Breakout West (2024), Edmonton Fringe Festival (2024), Dawson City Music Festival (2024), Snowking Festival (2024), Print and Publishing Festival (2023), Festival Saint-Jean Whitehorse (2022), Wonderhorse Festival (2022) and Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival (2022).