Celtic Music: Enya

Enya was born Eithne Patricia Ní Bhraonáin, part of the very musical Brennan family of Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore), County Donegal, Ireland. Several of her relatives formed the well-known Irish band Clannad, and Enya performed on the albums Cran Ull and Fuaim. She left the group when producer and manager Nicky Ryan left in 1982, shortly before Clannad became known for "Theme from Harry's Game." She started her own recording studio.

She was first credited as Enya for her work on the soundtrack for the 1984 movie The Frog Prince, and provided spoken vocals on Sinéad O'Connor's debut album, The Lion and the Cobra. Her work on The Celts was followed by her album Watermark which, along with the hit single "Orinoco Flow," marked her breakthrough to international attention. The album sold eight million copies and topped the UK charts. Three years later, she followed up with Watermark, the first of her Grammy albums.

Since beginning her solo career, Enya has always worked with Nicky and Roma Ryan. Nicky produces and Roma writes the lyrics, with Enya composing and performing. Her trademark sound is created by layering her voice on recordings as many as 80 times, and she once stated she dubbed her voice 500 times. Because of the way she creates her music, it would be a challenge for her to do a live concert, and she has never done one, although she has stated she would like to.

While Enya's music has undeniable Celtic roots, her Grammy awards are in the New Age category. She does not consider her music New Age, however, classifying it simply as "Enya."