Orchidae is the solo project of Yolande Laroche, a queer Canadian Taiwanese artist based in Gatineau, Quebec. She draws inspiration from her Mandarin name 兰 (Lan), symbolizing the orchid flower. The name Orchidae reflects the artist's cultural heritage and the essence of her music. With a background in classical clarinet, Laroche combines her classical training with avant-pop elements, creating a sound that is both intimate and profound. 
 
Orchidae marks the first steps of Yolande’s musical journey as a lead songwriter. Her songs are compelling explorations of self-discovery, transformation, and personal growth, traversing confident electronic pop songs to heartfelt piano ballads. 
 
Beyond her solo work, Yolande Laroche is a seasoned music educator and a versatile multi-instrumentalist, proficient in clarinet, keys, and voice. While she has played as a session musician for over a decade and is part of the art-rock band Pony Girl (Paper Bag Records), Yolande’s project Orchidae sees the artist in full bloom. We’re honoured to welcome back Yolande Laroche to the National Arts Centre!