photo: Alfred Kan
Loki Karuna (formerly Garrett McQueen) is a musician, producer, and “classical agitator” working at the intersections of race, contemporary culture, and the arts. While known to many as a professional bassoonist with performances alongside the Detroit Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Louisville Orchestra, Loki’s work has evolved into a national platform for decolonized thought and institutional change.
In 2022, he transitioned to the name Loki Karuna as an act of personal and professional liberation. Rooted in his practice of Nichiren Buddhism, the name reflects his mission as a "perceiver of the world's sounds" (Loki/Avalokiteshvara) and his commitment to radical compassion (Karuna) within the classical music ecosystem.
As the creator and host of The Sound of 13, Loki explores the deep connections between reconstruction-era constitutional amendments and the landscape of American music. His media portfolio also includes the award-winning podcast TRILLOQUY—hailed by The New York Times as “required listening”—as well as Gateways Radio, Noteworthy Classical, and The Sounds of Kwanzaa.
Today, Loki serves as the Executive Director of the American Composers Forum (ACF) and the President of TrillWerks Media. A 2024 Musical America "Top 30 Professional of the Year," he serves on the board of directors for the Lakes Area Music Festival, the Cedar Cultural Center, Decolonizing the Music Room, and Lyrica Baroque, maintaining his reputation as a vital voice in the movement to decolonize and diversify the arts.
In 2022, he transitioned to the name Loki Karuna as an act of personal and professional liberation. Rooted in his practice of Nichiren Buddhism, the name reflects his mission as a "perceiver of the world's sounds" (Loki/Avalokiteshvara) and his commitment to radical compassion (Karuna) within the classical music ecosystem.
As the creator and host of The Sound of 13, Loki explores the deep connections between reconstruction-era constitutional amendments and the landscape of American music. His media portfolio also includes the award-winning podcast TRILLOQUY—hailed by The New York Times as “required listening”—as well as Gateways Radio, Noteworthy Classical, and The Sounds of Kwanzaa.
Today, Loki serves as the Executive Director of the American Composers Forum (ACF) and the President of TrillWerks Media. A 2024 Musical America "Top 30 Professional of the Year," he serves on the board of directors for the Lakes Area Music Festival, the Cedar Cultural Center, Decolonizing the Music Room, and Lyrica Baroque, maintaining his reputation as a vital voice in the movement to decolonize and diversify the arts.