Biography

The fifth born into a family of seven children, McKenzie Lee (she/her) was often cited as the “quiet child.” Introspective and deeply feeling, she turned to music and poetry to find a way to express herself without the need to compete for airspace in her lively, boisterous home. Quietly and privately, McKenzie created a voice that would demand attention without ever needing to ask for it. Once she felt prepared to share her vocal talent, her voice became her most prized possession and her most praised gift.

McKenzie gained confidence in live performance by soloing in many school concerts and church programs beginning in elementary school. Her siblings and parents were her biggest fans, often touting her abilities and signing her up for local talent shows, even when she was too embarrassed to advertise her self-taught talent.  

Life changed dramatically for 12-year-old McKenzie when she and her family moved to southern Oregon in 2003. Writing the words to her own songs became the solace she needed to get through the many challenges she and her family would face there. She continued to write her seldom-shared songs throughout middle and high school to help cope with her mother’s addiction, her impossible-to-please perfectionism, and the eventual death of her mother in 2007. 

Despite the heartbreaks and setbacks, McKenzie graduated as co-valedictorian in her small class of 78 students from Illinois Valley High School in 2009. She pursued a teaching career while also keeping her love for singing alive by joining one of Oregon State University’s a cappella groups, Divine. Through her a cappella friend group, McKenzie met her musically gifted husband, Reilly. 

After college graduation, she abandoned her teaching career to join her husband and his business partner to create music videos for well-known YouTube artists. With this acquired skill, McKenzie and Reilly soon formed their musical duo/YouTube page, The Hound + The Fox. 

McKenzie, Reilly, and their children live a blessed life in southern Oregon, completely supported by their music and videos. She hopes to continue singing and writing, expand her original songwriting for other artists and herself, and share more of her creative poetry. Through her music and words, she intends to offer healing to those who may not have found their own voice yet. 

Artist Statement

My poems are born when my wounds are alchemized into words on a page. Memory by memory, I am creating a new home, sometimes even a prison, for the trauma that knows no better than to reside within me. These unearthed wounds sometimes need to be locked up in ink so the cycle of passing down pain can stop with me. Words that live on paper are lighter than wounds that live in me.

Poetry, I’ve learned, is always honest, but it isn’t always (the) truth. Releasing my raw and unfiltered words onto paper (or, more realistically, into my “notes” app) has become a form of meditation. Without judgment, I allow the words to flow through me and bleed onto the page. Once released, I can observe, allow, and eventually let go of the stories I tell myself. 

Brutal honesty is what I’m after in both my work and when I read the work of others. I want to know your deepest, dirtiest secrets and share mine with you. This is how I reject perfection and invite authenticity into my life. Come and take a seat in my darkness, my friend. Please, bring your shadow with you. 

Dedications and Appreciations

I dedicate “Roots” to my family. Thank you all for always being my biggest fans and inspiring me to be brave enough to share my voice with the world. If not for you, I would still be attempting perfection, i.e., stuck in fear. 

I dedicate “Growth” to my son. You are my best teacher, strongest motivator, and constant reminder of how to love unconditionally. 

Lastly, I dedicate “Seeds” to anyone who has experienced infertility (or is currently in the trenches with me). No one knows me like you do. You are the warriors I never wanted to enter battle with, but I’m honored to have you standing beside me. May you find you are already complete exactly as you are. 

Lastly, thank you to my husband for your beautiful artwork featured in my chapter. You elevated my chapter just as you always elevate me.