Chantal Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist whose work combines adult alternative pop, piano-driven singer-songwriter music, and polished contemporary rock. Born May 18, 1973, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she received classical piano training from an early age and won music competitions before turning toward popular songwriting. Her transition was encouraged by a motorcycle accident in Italy in 1994, after which songwriting became an important creative outlet. She was signed by Columbia Records before she had established herself as a live singer.
Kreviazuk's debut album, Under These Rocks and Stones, was released in Canada in 1996 and in the United States the following year. Produced by Peter Asher and Matt Wallace, the album introduced a vocalist with a clear, emotionally direct delivery and a strong melodic sense. Singles such as "God Made Me," "Believer," "Wayne," and especially "Surrounded" established her as a significant new Canadian artist. Her profile also grew through soundtrack appearances, including a cover of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" for Armageddon and "Feels Like Home" in connection with Dawson's Creek.
With Colour Moving and Still in 1999, Kreviazuk moved toward a more assured and personal sound. The album produced the Canadian radio hit "Before You" and earned her Juno Awards for Best Female Artist and Best Adult/Pop Album in 2000. Her partnership with Raine Maida, lead singer of Our Lady Peace, became increasingly important to her songwriting and production. Their creative relationship shaped much of her later work, while also extending her influence beyond her own records.
The third album, What If It All Means Something, followed in 2002. Its songs, including "In This Life," emphasized reflective lyrics and expansive piano-led arrangements. Kreviazuk subsequently developed a reputation as a highly sought-after songwriter. Working frequently with Maida and other collaborators, she contributed to albums by Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, The Veronicas, Mandy Moore, David Cook, Drake, Pitbull, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Britney Spears. Her credits range from intimate pop ballads to international commercial hits, demonstrating a versatility that is sometimes less visible than her solo career.
Kreviazuk recorded Ghost Stories largely in a home studio, with Maida producing. Released in 2006, it became her highest-charting studio album in Canada, reaching number two. The compilation Since We Met: The Best of 1996-2006 appeared in 2008, followed by Plain Jane in 2009 and the live album In This Life in 2012. She returned to a more prominent solo release schedule with Hard Sail in 2016 and Get to You in 2020. Her seasonal album, Christmas Is a Way of Life, My Dear, appeared in 2019.
Kreviazuk has also worked in film as an actor, composer, and producer. Her screen credits include the independent film Century Hotel and the documentary I'm Going to Break Your Heart, which chronicled the recording process behind the Moon Vs Sun project with Maida. She and Maida released music together under that name, extending their songwriting partnership into a more openly collaborative format.
In 2014, Kreviazuk and Maida were appointed Members of the Order of Canada in recognition of their achievements as musicians and their charitable and humanitarian work. Kreviazuk has supported organizations including War Child Canada and used her public platform to address social and humanitarian causes. Her 2026 album In My Own Voice revisited several songs she had written for other performers, presenting them through her own interpretation and underscoring the central role of songwriting in her career.