Press Kit

Canadian singer/songwriter, recording artist, and radio host Cara Lianne McLeod is carving out a niche with her deeply personal artistry, whether she’s performing at a jazz club, on a recital stage, or in a studio. Her recordings range from pop to blues, including “Do You Really See Me”, co-written with and produced by Michael Hanson (6x Juno-award winner), with more releases on the way, and a full album in the works.

After a sold-out debut at the illustrious Yardbird Suite in January 2025, Cara returned in 2026, where she was joined by some of Edmonton’s finest musicians, and sold out the venue once again with her touring show In & Out of Love.  Cara is also the curator and host of an online radio show by the same name, exploring all things love, streaming worldwide on Big E Radio. 

Learn more at CaraLianneMcLeod.com.

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Cara Lianne McLeod is carving out a distinctive niche in the Canadian music landscape with an impressive range of projects and a deeply personal approach to her artistry. 

With a full album in the works, her current discography includes songs from pop to blues. Her single “Do You Really See Me”, written and produced with Michael Hanson (6x Juno award-winner) and distributed by Radar Love Records, is a contemporary pop song infused with motown.  

In 2024, Cara co-founded the jazz trio McLeod, Bowman & Bray with Neville Bowman (piano) and Sean Bray (guitar). Their sold out debut at the infamous Yardbird Suite in January 2025 led to an invitation for her to appear in subsequent seasons.  She returned in March 2026 for another sold out performance, joined by some of Edmonton’s finest musicians. Todd Crawshaw (Executive Director of the Yardbird Suite), has this to say about Cara’s artistry: 

“Cara's first appearance on the Yardbird Suite stage, early in 2025, was as compelling as it was popular. Her vocal chops are matched by her wit, personality, and her choice of musicians.”

McLeod is the curator and host of In & Out of Love, an online radio show streaming every second Sunday on Big E Radio. In each episode, Cara explores love and the human experience through a blend of storytelling and music in a wide variety of genres. Inspired, she created a touring show of the same name, weaving heartfelt stories from her life through a unique mix of jazz, pop, and blues with a touch of classical.

McLeod has always been a multi-faceted artist, using her voice in writing, producing, performing, and recording. In addition, she continues to be a sought-after teacher, speaker, and adjudicator. She is passionate about helping others reveal their voice — at any age, on any stage. 

Learn more at CaraLianneMcLeod.com.

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Canadian artist Cara Lianne McLeod has been described as a vibrant and generous singer, who makes her audiences feel with her clear and captivating sound, whether she’s performing at a jazz club, on a recital stage, or in a recording studio.

With a full album in the works, her current discography includes four original songs: “Serendipity”, a sultry jazz song, “My Love” and “This Love”, two songs bookending a love story, and “The Dream”, a song she wrote in honour of her late father. She also released a version of Rihanna’s “Stay”, with more covers on the way.

Cara’s latest song, “Do You Really See Me”, distributed by Radar Love Records. Co-written and produced with Michael Hanson (6x Juno award-winner and co-founder of Glass Tiger), has a contemporary pop sound infused with MoTown.

2024 saw the formation of the trio, McLeod, Bowman & Bray, with Neville Bowman (pianist) and Sean Bray (guitarist). Creating a program of jazz, blues, and vintage pop music, January 2025 saw them performing this set in Alberta, including a debut at the illustrious Yardbird Suite, one of Canada’s oldest jazz clubs. Rave reviews from the sold-out audience led to an invitation to perform in the following seasons. She returned in 2026 to sell-out the club once again, joined by some of Edmonton’s finest musicians.

Todd Crawshaw (Executive Director of the Yardbird Suite), has this to say about Cara’s artistry: 

“Cara's first appearance on the Yardbird Suite stage, early in 2025, was as compelling as it was popular. Her vocal chops are matched by her wit, personality, and her choice of musicians who created a gig greater than the sum of its parts.”

What her audiences may not know is that Cara began her love of music with choirs and country music. Growing up, Cara seized every opportunity to sing; in school and community choirs, private voice lessons, and music festivals. Further performing experience included several years of ballet training, guitar lessons, and piano lessons from her mom (those didn’t last long!). She participated in Drama Club, and after obtaining an agent, spent some time on-screen in commercials, and background acting in a few films. 

Cara has competed in country karaoke competitions, landing herself in the finals at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, sang harmonies on an electronic dance album, and recorded a couple of songs on a dance compilation CD entitled “Few & Far Between” with producer Tomas Brabec. She participated in songwriting workshops and received mentorship from some iconic Edmonton country artists. In her late 20s, she found herself in music school, and discovered the challenge and beauty of opera singing.  

Graduating with an Artist Diploma in Performance from Western University, Cara made her operatic debut in Cosí Fan Tutte in the role of Despina. Her Edmonton Opera debut was Aida (High Priestess), with additional appearances including Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (Berta), La Traviata (Annina), and Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira). Opera critic Mark Morris noted in the Edmonton Journal:

“A special word must go to Edmonton soprano Cara McLeod as Donna Elvira. She stepped in as an understudy during rehearsals…and she pulled it off with a convincing character portrayal, vocally and theatrically.” 

Ms. McLeod’s further opera credits include Pagliacci (Nedda, Mercury Opera) Le Nozze Di Figaro (Contessa, Operafestival di Roma, Italy), and Carmen (Micaëla, Calgary Concert Opera Company & Vancouver Island Opera). Most recently, she returned to CCOC to sing the role of Queen Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux, and subsequently produced it as the inaugural performance for CLM Productions, her new company.

Soloist credits include Vocal Alchemy, Red Deer Symphony, Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Peace Region Music Series, Calgary Civic Symphony, Edmonton Opera, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and Calgary Concert Opera Company. Ms. McLeod toured Alberta as the soprano soloist for the Alberta Symphony Orchestra Society (ASO) under the direction of Emilio De Mercato. 

Long-time colleague and founder of Calgary Concert Opera Company, Barbara King had this to say about Cara’s performances:

“I’ve known Cara Lianne McLeod for a long time, and every time I hear her sing, I’m blown away all over again. She has one of those voices that gives you chills—in the best way. 

Whether she’s belting out a powerful opera aria or slipping into something smooth and jazzy, she sings with so much heart and soul, it’s impossible not to be moved. What amazes me most is how natural it all seems for her. She can fill a concert hall with her voice one night and then turn around and sing a jazz set that feels cozy and personal the next, and somehow, both feel completely “her.” 

There’s no pretense - just real, honest music coming from someone who clearly loves what she does. Cara is one of the warmest, most genuine and positive people I know, and that energy comes through in every performance. She makes people feel something, and that’s a rare gift. 

If you ever get the chance to hear Cara sing—take it. You’ll be glad you did.” 

Eclipsing many of her professional experiences, was the moment she shared the stage with her late father. Having never disclosed it previously, Doug McLeod expressed a long-time wish of singing with his daughter. Together, for the first time, they performed “Country Roads” by John Denver in front of a large audience at one of Cara’s year-end shows.

In a serendipitous turn, a year following his passing, Cara found herself performing John Denver’s music as the featured guest soprano with Rocky Mountain High concerts, conducted by Lee Holdridge. She would return for Rocky Mountain High Christmas (2022) and was invited to join the core band for Rocky Mountain High Concerts (2023 Tour). 

Cara co-created, produced, and performed in two major concert tours with pianist Emilio De Mercato: Music in the Air, an outdoor series presented by Alberta Symphony Orchestra Society, and O Mio Puccini Caro, commemorating Puccini’s legacy — including being invited by the Consul General of Italy to present the all-Puccini program in Vancouver.

The early on-camera and live performance experiences would prove beneficial, when many years later, Cara would often appear on several news programs promoting her performances. In 2022, she was asked to perform an aria on CBC’s The Musical Animal, a documentary for The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, written, produced, and directed by Connie Edwards. 

McLeod is the curator and host of In & Out of Love, an online radio show streaming worldwide every second Sunday on Big E Radio. In each episode, Cara explores love and the human experience through a blend of music and storytelling. She now offers a touring show of the same name, artfully weaving heartfelt stories (first love at age 10, salsa dancing after divorce, and more…) through beautiful music…jazz, pop, blues and more. 

McLeod has always been a multi-faceted artist, using her voice in writing, producing, performing, and recording. In addition, she continues to be a sought-after teacher, speaker, and adjudicator. She is passionate about helping others reveal their voice — at any age, on any stage.

Learn more at CaraLianneMcLeod.com.

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