BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//WOMEN IN MUSIC CANADA - ECPv6.15.14//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:WOMEN IN MUSIC CANADA X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://womeninmusic.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for WOMEN IN MUSIC CANADA REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251108T052247Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T223230Z UID:10000021-1762588800-1762621200@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:2024 Honours Winners & Gallery DESCRIPTION:Meet the 2024 Honourees\n \nMeet the 2024 Women in Music Canada Honourees\n \nOrganization of the Year – Music Nova Scotia\n\nThis honour is given to a company making significant strides in equity in the workplace. Music Nova Scotia has demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering the development of women and non-binary folks within the music industry. 83% of their team are women or gender diverse\, the organization’s events have had a positive impact on the local music community and since the pandemic\, have been a leader the provincial music industry by fighting for artist and industry support through increases in project grants\, bringing legacy events to their market\, presenting music focussed anti-oppression training\, developing a Builders Camp\, and Beyond the Board live sound project for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community\, and using resources whenever possible to elevate other community organizations to foster industry-wide growth. Their impact reaches far beyond its local community\, resonating with the broader mission of Women in Music Canada to create a more inclusive and equitable music industry. \n \n Read More\n \n \nExcellence in Live – Mira Silvers\, FORT Agency\nThe Excellence in Live Honour recognizes a music professional working in a live production or touring environment making significant impact in their field. Working with a global music roster of clients from Canada\, US\, United Kingdom\, India\, and Africa\, she has contributed to the careers of Cardi B\, Megan Thee Stallion\, Charli XCX\, Backxwash\, and more. She takes pride in creating a culture of cultivating a path for the next generation of music executives. mentoring and broadening opportunities for brilliant young music executives with a particular focus on those from marginalized and underserved communities. More recently she co-created FEMINAE NOX — a platform and program that seeks to prioritize equity for BIPOC+ women\, femme\, nonbinary folks working in and seeking to work in live music and nightlife\, both on and off the stage.  \n \n Read More\n \n \nChangemaker of the Year presented by the National Arts Centre – Erin Benjamin\nErin Benjamin has led the live music industry through the darkest period in its history with fierceness\, diplomacy\, and incredible empathy\, with industry members often citing her work as the reason their businesses survived. She has spearheaded research and advocacy for underserved communities in music\, led her team in professional development training programs for young leaders in Live Music careers\, and has been touted as the “patron saint” for the Live Music Industry\, for her unwavering passion and support. Erin has been a champion of Women her whole career\, and as a mentor\, has been a catalyst in the careers of many other Women in Music. \n \n Read More\n \n \nEntrepreneur of the Year presented by Believe and TuneCore – Lisa Patterson\n\nAn endorsee of YSL Pro\, Lisa Patterson is an award-winning music creator and entrepreneur who has been championing collaboration and inclusion across 3 continents for the past 25 years. At her LPM studio in Toronto\, Canada she works as a producer-engineer\, songwriter-musician\, string-horn arranger as well as running an innovative Artist Development Program whose successes include Warner Records signing Alex Frew & ISC semi-finalist Nova Carver-Cook. \nLisa specializes in electro-acoustic songwriting and sound design for Contemporary Pop\, Roots\, Folk\, Indigenous and cross-cultural artists. Recent release highlights include Alysha Brilla’s album Circle and two single co-prods with 2 X Juno-award winning Producer-Songwriter Michael Lantz (Charmaine\, Jazz Cartier). 2022 was a banner year for producing & co-writing indie released singles (5) and EPs (2). Currently she’s collaboratively producing & engineering a record with Juno & Polaris Prize winning Producer-Engineer Michael Wojewoda; formerly as an active recording & touring artist\, Lisa released 4 albums and 5 videos of original music – including a Top Ten charting single in The Benelux that garnered a Rough Trade European distribution deal. \nIn 2022 Lisa launched the Create Fearlessly brand to reflect her reputation for providing welcoming studio environment and empathetic vocal production for female\, queer\, BIPOC creatives: esteemed artists over the years include Elliot Page (piano coaching); Melissa Laveaux (No Format-Universal); Lido Pimienta (Polaris Prize winner); Calypso Rose (WOMEX 2016 Artist of the Year); Kale Reid (LGBTQ activist songwriter); Shanika Maria (indie rising star); Medicine Song Woman Brenda MacIntyre (Juno nominee); Lillian Allen (Juno winner). \nAn inclusionist trailblazer\, Lisa presented the first-ever Canadian music industry discussion panel of female & non-binary producers in 2017. Spring of 2018 she curated & moderated a first CMW gender inclusive producer panel\, followed in fall 2018 with H.E.R. studio Sound Production monthly series for women & non-binary audio workers. In 2019 Music Publishers Canada selected Lisa for their inaugural Women In The Studio Program. In 2022 Lisa co-created The Listening Party – a new public showcase series for underrepresented producers. \n \n Read More\n \n \nArtist of the Year presented by Amazon Music – The Beaches\nThis award recognizes an artist whose music demonstrates excellence with an exceptional year as a result of radio chart successes\, media exposure\, industry recognition\, and/or touring success. The Beaches\, Kylie\, Jordan\, Leandra\, Eliza\, have had an incredible breakthrough year. They have written and released the best album they’ve done in their 10-year careers\, “Blame My Ex”. Released independently through AWAL\, the lead single “Blame Brett” currently sits at 25million streams\, spent 15 weeks at #1 at alternative radio\, is currently #29 at Alternative Radio in America (and climbing)\, & in less than 6 months\, is already gold in Canada. This success has also translated to their live business\, selling out their worldwide tour in a matter of hours\, including Toronto’s Massey Hall x2 (5400 tickets)\, Vancouver’s Orpheum (2750 tickets)\, Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Music Hall x2 (1300 tickets)\, Los Angeles’s Troubador x2 (1000 tickets) & London\, UK’s Outernet (1300 tickets). All of the success came from the band finally being in control of their own destiny\, which is an absolute inspiration to young women in the industry. \n \n Read More\n \nInternational Leader of the Year – Maylee Todd\nMaylee Todd has produced and released a science fiction record “MALOO” in which she learned and built 3-D models and worlds that she motion tracked live. It was featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk as the first avatar performance and won the AIM award for best creative campaign in the UK. This performance was then showcased at The Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in New York. More recently\, Maylee figured out how to use an EEG headband to read her brainwaves and then play her synthesizers live. She has now recorded a brain wave record that will tour this Spring in Japan\, Canada\, US and Philippines. She teaches and mentors women and non-binary professionals in tech and is typically the only female in ALOT of the spaces she excels in\, music\, comedy\, and tv. \n \n Read More\n \nRising Leader – Angie Randisi – Recording Engineer\n\nAngie has been making her mark in the global hip-hop scene as an in-demand audio engineer and was featured in the Spring 2022 issue of XXL magazine’s ‘Behind the Boards’ article. Her career took her to work on PARTYNEXTDOOR’s third album PARTYMOBILE\, debuting at #8 on the US Billboard 200 chart.   Angie was ranked in the Top 5 Woman Producers of 2021\, nominated for Forbes 30 Under 30 list\, and achieved a #1 single Billboard with Lil Baby and Nicki Minaj with hit Do We Have A Problem?. Angie now works full time as Grammy-winning artist Lil Baby’s main engineer. \n \n Read More\n \n \nRising Leader – Good + Plenty Producer’s Club\nThe Good + Plenty Producer’s Club is a space for Manitoba’s women\, 2Spirit\, and non-binary music producers and audio engineers to learn\, share\, encourage\, and grow. The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released in 2020 stated that less than 2% of producers in North America are women. This number is even smaller for 2Spirit and non-binary producers. In Winnipeg and Manitoba specifically\, there are very few women\, 2Spirit\, and non-binary producers and audio engineers working in the recording industry. The Good + Plenty Producer’s club seeks to be a safe place for gender minorities to interact (on Instagram and through our Facebook group) by sharing knowledge\, encouraging\, providing resources\, and supporting one another. The group will also be working as a collective to find ways to mentor the next generation of up-and-coming music producers. \n \n Read More\n \n \nRising Leader – Katrina Kernaghan – TikTok Canada Head of Music\nKatrina graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts\, Honours Specialization in Media\, Information and Technoculture\, and an Honours Bachelor of Administration from the Ivey School of Business. She’s completed internships at Jeff Turner Entertainment Group\, Coastal Jazz\, and Corus Entertainment. Katrina acted as Head of Marketing for Wax Records\, an award winning independent record label\, for 3 years before joining the TikTok Canada team\, focusing on Record Label & Industry Partnerships. \nKat is always looking to try something new and push herself outside of her comfort zone. She believes that success comes from humility\, unrelenting curiosity\, and the constant pursuit of personal and professional growth. She takes pride in giving back to the music community\, and am currently a Factor Jury Member and a MusiCounts Delegate. \n \n Read More\n \n \nRising Leader – Seny Kassaye – FORT Agency\nSeny Kassaye is an Ethiopian-Guinean music touring agent at FORT Agency becoming one of the few Black female talent agents in Canada in history according to the Canadian Live Music Association. Seny is breaking barriers and is an exponentially rising star in music\, especially in live music. \nIn 2023 alone\, Seny was shortlisted as nominee for the prestigious Arthur Award for Young Executive of the Year 2023 in London\, UK at the International Live Music Conference\, a globally recognized and one of the biggest trade live music conference for agents\, agency\, and promoters. She was the only Canadian and only Black music executive to be nominated for this award globally this year. In Fall 2022\, Seny was also an honoree as the Top 20 Bosses of 2022 listed by IQ Magazine in London\, UK. \n \n Read More\n \n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Katrina Lopes – President of KL Management\nKatrina Lopes is the president of KL Management whose roster includes platinum selling\, Juno Award winning artist/producer Shawn Desman\, pop duo and production team RadioClub\, soul artist/film composer/Sephora collaborator TiKA\, and pop singer/songwriter/producer Kayla Diamond. \nTogether with its clients KL Management has garnered numerous accolades including MMVA Video of the Year\, Socan #1 Award\, Socan Pop Song of the Year\, as well as numerous platinum and gold certified singles. \nKL also executive produced the film “ALIVE” in partnership with MUCH which starred Shawn Desman\, Kaitlyn Leeb (Heartland)\, Melinda Shankar (Degrassi)\, and K.C. Collins (Lost Girl). The film was the cornerstone of an innovative campaign to promote Desman’s album of the same name. \nKL serves on the board for: Manifesto\, a youth arts organization that creates space (physical and digital) that inspires\, develops\, and amplifies diverse communities through arts\, culture and media; Music Managers Forum Canada (MMF); Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA); is a mentor with Femme it Forward\, a female-led music and entertainment company and joint venture with Live Nation that celebrates\, educates and empowers the industry’s most creative and accomplished female visionaries. KL also teaches Music Industry classes through F-You: The Forgiveness Project to youth and young men in custody. She is an innovator w/ Keychange\, a global network working towards a total restructure of the music industry in reaching full gender equality. She was also named as an honouree on the global “Alternative Power 100 Music List 2020”. \n \n Read More\n \n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Melissa Langley – DJ MelBoogie\nMelBoogie recently celebrated her 30th anniversary working in radio as a host and DJ. She was the first female DJ on the 2023 Juno Awards\, this year highlighting 50 years of hip hop\, alongside Canadian music heavy weights Kardinal Offishall\, Haviah Mighty\, Dream Warriors\, and Michie Mee. She’s been the tour DJ for Michie Mee\, Maestro Fresh Wes and The Sorority. \nAdditionally\, she was the first female Chair of the Rap Committee for the Juno Awards\, and is currently a judge for Polaris\, doing community outreach to artists across the country to create awareness of how they can be recognized as part of these prestigious awards. \nDedicated to developing and supporting Black Music in Canada\, she’s also done publicity for a multitude of Canadian artists and is the founder of the Black Music Brunch – an annual brunch designed to highlight and celebrate the music artists in many of Canada’s underserved communities. \n \n Read More\n \n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Lisa Zbitnew – President and Owner / Operator of The Phoenix Concert Theatre and Bronsen Centre Music Theatre in Ottawa.\nShe was the CEO of War Child North America from 2008 to 2011. Zbitnew was the President and CEO of Sony BMG Music Canada from the original merger in September 2004 until January 2007. She served as President of BMG Music Canada beginning in 1996 where she reported to Tim Bowen\, who oversaw Sony BMG’s operations in the U.K\, Canada\, Australia\, New Zealand and South Africa.[3] She was the first female executive to hold the position of a major record label President in Canada. \nZbitnew has had a longstanding career in the Canadian music industry\, beginning in as Managing Director of Alert Records\, one of Canada’s most successful independent labels. In 1990\, she joined Sony Music Canada/CBS Records Canada as Marketing Director until 1993 when she became Vice President of Marketing at EMI Music Canada until 1996. \n \n Read More\n \n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Shauna de Cartier – Label co-owner and manager Six Shooter Records\n\nShauna de Cartier founded Six Shooter Records in 2000\, a record label and management company who has maintained since inception a steadfast commitment to fostering artistic excellence and to the development of a distinct community of predominantly Canadian-based artists with international careers.  Her award-winning label and management rosters include July Talk\, Whitehorse\, The Dead South\, Tanya Tagaq\, William Prince\, Rheostatics\, Boy Golden\, Skye Wallace and many others. \nTogether with her long-time business partner\, Helen Britton\, de Cartier founded and produced The Interstellar Rodeo\, a music and wine festival which had a 3-year run in Winnipeg and an 8-year run in Edmonton\, headlined by artists such as Beck\, Alabama Shakes\, Sarah McLachlan\, and many more. Shauna leads the label division and prides herself in their diverse roster and in hiring and predominantly female staff. She is a great leader and motivator for young up and coming entrepreneurs.  \nDe Cartier plays an active role in the industry\, including a continued participation as an elected board member of CIMA\, which she chaired for four years. She also serves on the board of the Radio Starmaker Fund.  She holds an MBA from the University of Alberta.  De Cartier is an advocate for artists\, independent businesses and fair dealings\, and is committed to creating professional opportunities for young industry members – particularly women – and fostering a strong network of like-minded individuals in the industry at large. In 2019\, de Cartier was honoured with the Canadian Independent Music Award for Entrepreneurship. \n \n Read More\n \n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Susan Rosenberg – Sr. Vice President Marketing Global Touring at Live Nation\nSusan Rosenberg is an industry veteran and trail blazer in the world of concert marketing. She cumulates over 30 year’s experience\, 6 at CPI and 24+ years at Live Nation Global Touring\, Susan quite literally wrote the book on how to market international tours. Working alongside Arthur Fogel and team\, Susan has been instrumental in marketing and bringing to life global tours for the likes of Madonna\, U2\, Rush\, Beyonce\, and Lady Gaga… just to name a few. \nHer always level-headed approach\, meticulous attention to detail\, and ultra-positive disposition has earned her respect from not only her colleagues\, but the industry as a whole. She’s truly one of a kind and an inspiration to many aspiring to earn a role in music marketing today. \n \n Read More\n \nCareer Achievement Honour – Yvonne Matsell – Promoter\nSignificant impact paving the way for a more equitable community: Yvonne has been in the Canadian music industry for decades and is best described as a woman “in the trenches”. She was a promoter at the time when very few women were able to say the same and cultivated her career in spite of (let’s call a spade…) misogyny rampant in the industry. Yvonne nurtured the careers of dozens and dozens of Canadian and international artists and cared for them personally and professionally\, with an incredible eye for talent\, longevity\, and commercial viability. Her work alongside SXSW helped to bring us NXNE and build it into the outstanding festival/conference that it was. Her presence at North By was pivotal to its success\, with her keen eye for talent and shrewd decision-making. Our industry looks the way it does because Yvonne Matsell has helped to shape it. \n \n Read More\n \nFounders Honour – Samantha Slattery\nSamantha has been working in the music industry for over two decades within the live sector throughout North America and the UK. Most recently working on the JUNO Awards\, Sam previously worked for The Mean Fiddler (Reading & Leeds Music Festivals)\, AEG Live (Coachella\, Stagecoach\, and Virgin Music Festival) Live Nation (Dreams Festival) as well as Republic Live (WayHome and Boots & Hearts Music Festivals).   \nShe is also the Founder of Women in Music Canada\, a non-profit organization aimed at fostering gender diversity and equality throughout the Canadian music sector. In addition\, prior to these roles Sam spent several years as a manager at Nettwerk Management’s UK office\, working for major-label multi-platinum artists including Dido. \nSam holds numerous post-secondary qualifications\, including a UK Graduate Diploma in Law\, a Hon BA in Political Science from York University\, as well as graduating from UCLA’s Music Business program\, and most recently completing the Greener Festival Assessor Training from Falmouth University in the UK. \nIn addition\, she regularly guest lectures at colleges and universities\, serves on several boards\, committees\, and adjudication groups\, as well as being a regular speaker at industry events including SXSW\, Liverpool Sound City\, and CMW. She’s received multiple nominations for RBC Woman of Influence award and is currently part of a handful of participants featured in the Canadian-Europe music industry gender initiative Keychange. \n \n Read More\n \n2024 WIM CANADA HONOURS GALLERY\nPhoto Credits: URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/2024-honours-winners-gallery/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251108T050447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251108T051711Z UID:10000019-1762588800-1762621200@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:2024 Leadership Inspiration Series DESCRIPTION:IN CONVERSATION WITH SOCAN’S: JENNIFER BROWN\, ANNITA LALA AND ANDREA KOKONIS\n5:00 – 7:00 PM (ET) – Stream beginning at 5:30 PM (ET)\n Host: Tasha the Amazon Join us for an evening of conversation with SOCAN’s Jennifer Brown\, Annita Lala and Andrea Kokonis. Key executives at SOCAN\, Jennifer\, Annita and Andrea have had very different career paths from each other\, leading them to their current executive level roles at SOCAN. This conversation will explore career journeys\, learned lessons and tips to ensure you are heard when high level decisions are being made. An open conversation on successes\, challenges and arriving at their current roles from different career trajectories.Join us for the third of this series of inspirational career conversations\, guaranteed to inspire woman and gender diverse leaders and aspiring leaders in music. JENNIFER BROWNCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER With more than two decades of strategic experience in rights management\, licensing\, advocacy and support for music creators and publishers\, Jennifer started her career with SOCAN in 1995 as a representative in the company’s Membership department. She has held progressive leadership positions\, including Vice President of SOCAN’s Licensing department\, before taking on the role of Senior Vice President of Operations & Reproduction Rights in 2018. Jennifer’s accomplishments include establishing SOCAN Reproduction Rights presence\, guiding the company’s Licensing department to record-setting results\, establishing SOCAN’s cost-effective and strategic re-structuring\, and the introduction of new and innovative customer-facing tools\, all of which have resulted in improved licensing collection efforts and increased royalties distributed to SOCAN’s songwriter\, composer\, and music publisher members. The SOCAN Board of Directors appointed Jennifer Brown to Chief Executive Officer on June 29\, 2021\, after she held the Interim CEO role for a year. ANDREA KOKONISCHIEF LEGAL OFFICER & GENERAL COUNSEL Andrea E. Kokonis oversees SOCAN’s legal team. She has been with SOCAN for more than a decade and during that time has been involved in all aspects of SOCAN business\, including music licensing\, copyright enforcement and tariff matters before the Copyright Board of Canada.Prior to joining SOCAN\, Andrea practised at Torys LLP. and Fasken Martineau LLP.\, specializing in intellectual property law. While in private practice\, Andrea represented a range of clients in intellectual property and commercial litigation.Andrea has appeared before the Federal Court of Canada and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. She is a registered trade-mark agent. Andrea is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and Intellectual Property Institute of Canada\, where she sits on the Copyright Policy Committee. She is a current member of the CBA National Copyright Committee and she formerly served on the Editorial Board of the Canadian Intellectual Property Review (CIPR). Andrea is also the Chair of the Law Society of Ontario’s annual in-house counsel summit (2017–2020) and Course Director for the IPIC/McGill Copyright Master Class 2021 (Assistant Course Director for 2020)Andrea received her law degree from Queen’s University\, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto (Victoria University). ANNITA LALACHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Annita Lala is SOCAN’s Chief Operating Officer. She is responsible for aligning our operational focus to optimize member service through change management and leadership of cross-functional teams. She has more than two decades of experience leading significant business transformation initiatives in various organizations\, in both the public and private sector (notably financial\, telecom\, security\, government and not- for-profit). Annita has a track record of successfully executing complex programs to deliver on strategic imperatives. With her entrepreneurial nature\, business acumen\, and common-sense approach\, she ensures the facilitation of practical\, value-driven solutions. Annita holds a Master of Arts degree in translation (French/English) and is PMP-certified for project management.\n \n Register\n \n \nIn conversation with CMRRA’s: Ingrid Crozier and Veronica Syrtash\n5:00 – 7:00 PM (ET) – Streamed conversation 5:15 – 6:00 ET\n Host: Denise De’ion \nJoin us for an evening of conversation with CMRRA’s Veronica Syrtash and Ingrid Crozier hosted by Denise De’ion. Limited tickets available for in person attendance at Starfish Entertainment’s Woodshed.  \nVeronica and Ingrid hold leadership positions with CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency). This conversation will explore career journeys\, learned lessons and tips to ensure you are heard when high level decisions are being made. An open conversation on successes\, challenges and arriving at their current roles from different career trajectories. \nJoin us for this\, the first of this series of inspirational career conversations\, guaranteed to inspire woman and gender diverse leaders and aspiring leaders in music. \nREGISTER NOW \nVeronica Syrtash – Senior Vice-President\, Business Affairs and Corporate Development for CMRRA and SX Works \nVeronica Syrtash oversees the identification\, exploration\, and analysis of new business opportunities at SX Works and develops new strategic business initiatives that support the objectives of both SX Works Global Publisher Services and the music publishing community on a global level. She also manages CMRRA’s legal and business affairs\, supervises rate-setting negotiations and proceedings\, and plays a key role in helping to shape the agency’s strategic growth and development. \nSince joining CMRRA in 1999\, Veronica has become a leading and respected voice in the industry while overseeing the agency’s legal\, business and policy objectives. She has secured licensing deals in Canada with online music services including Apple\, Google\, and Spotify\, among others\, as well as industry-wide negotiations with major and independent record labels as well as terrestrial and satellite broadcasters. She received her B.A. (Hons) from Queen’s University\, her LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario\, and her LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School\, with a specialization in intellectual property law. She is called to the Ontario bar. \nIngrid Crozier – Senior Director\, Finance for CMRRA \nIngrid Crozier is a CPA\, CA with 10 years of experience with the Canadian entertainment and media industries. She is currently the Senior Director\, Finance at the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA)\, where she oversees all financial processes\, including royalty distributions to music publishers and self-published songwriters. Ingrid has always been passionate about the local music sector and has previously volunteered for events such as the Polaris Music Prize and was a stage manager for Canadian Music Week. During her time at PwC\, she helped lead the team of Official Ballot Accountants for The JUNO Awards. In addition\, she sits on the task force of Music Publishers Canada’s NXTGEN Committee\, aimed at providing junior-level professionals in the industry opportunities to learn\, network\, and build community. Ingrid holds a Professional Certificate in Artist Management from Berklee College of Music and an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration with Accounting and Co-Operative Options from Wilfrid Laurier University. \nDenise De’ion – CMRRA Consultant\, Black Music Community \nDenise Thomas\, professionally known as Denise De’ion works as the Industry Relations Consultant – Black Music Community for CMRRA. Denise is an award-winning producer/artist/songwriter known for her unique blend of R&B\, Pop\, Caribbean\, and Hip Hop. In 2022\, she produced Haviah Mighty’s Juno-winning album\, “Stock Exchange\,” and has been mentored by Canadian hip-hop producer Boi 1da. Her music has also been placed in commercials for Bulleit Whiskey and heard on shows like Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia and Kim’s Convenience. Denise is part of The Global Network for Women Music Producers NAC (National Arts Centre) program. URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/2024-leadership-inspiration-series/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251107T181106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251108T050603Z UID:10000017-1762502400-1762534800@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:EQLive 2024 Series DESCRIPTION:EQLive 2024\nPresented by SiriusXM Canada \nEQLive is an exciting new showcase series dedicated to uplifting women and gender-diverse artists and crews as they develop toward the biggest stages. \nThis fall marks the inaugural season\, with live performances in Calgary\, Whitehorse\, Ottawa\, and Toronto. All events feature accessible ticket pricing. \n\n EQLIVE 2025 COMING SOON! \n \n \n \n \nCALGARY – Oct 19\, 2024\n \nThe National Music Centre | Oct 19\n\nSacha & Hailey Benedict\nwith Jade Turner &\nAshley Ghostkeeper\n\nSacha was Sirius XM’s 2022 Top of the Country winner.  Hailey Benedict was Sirius XM’s 2023 Top of the Country winner.  Jade Turner was named Emerging Artist of the Year by Manitoba Country Music Awards and took home Best Country Album at the Indigenous Music Awards (2017).  Ashley Ghostkeeper has reached top 5 on the Canadian Indigenous Music Countdown and was also one of the Top 10 selected to participate in the Anishinaabeg  Gaa-Wiid-Anokiwiiwad Chi-Gidochigewad Indigenous Music Residency. \n \n Get Tickets\n \nLINEUP\n\n\n • Sacha\n \n When it came to picking a career\, SACHA always knew there was only one option: singing country music.\nNot because she loved it\, but because she lived it.\nGrowing up in Warkworth\, Ontario — a town of under 1000 people — she was living the life countless\ncountry songs depict: backyard bonfires\, farm land\, the rodeo. And with parents that were in a band\, singing\nwas\, as SACHA puts it\, “part of my DNA.” But unlike her three siblings\, music didn’t just feel like a family trait\n— it felt like her destiny.\n“For me\, it wasn’t just singing to a song. I’m actually feeling this thing happening when I’m singing\,” she says.\n“I’m seeing the whole production. I’m seeing the crowd\, and I’m feeling it.”\nLiving on her own by the time she was 17\, SACHA knew it wouldn’t be easy to make that vision a reality. As\nshe worked full-time\, she found a community within a local church that helped her find her voice and her\nconfidence while also reassuring her that the stage is where she’s meant to be.\nSoon enough\, she headed to Nashville\, where she hustled her way through Music Row while honing her\nplayful\, yet meaningful artistic style. “I was on a mission\,” she says. “For me\, it wasn’t just a dream — it was\na conviction.”\nHer first major breakthrough came in 2021\, when SACHA was named to CMT’s Next Women of Country\nclass\, a distinction once bestowed upon the likes of Maren Morris\, Kacey Musgraves\, Kelsea Ballerini\, and\nGabby Barrett. “That was the door that opened up the rest\,” she suggests.\nLater that year\, she scored her first platinum Canadian single alongside The Reklaws with their viral hit\n“What The Truck\,” which became the fastest Canadian country song to be certified platinum in the streaming\nera. The momentum continued\, as SACHA released her second EP\, We Did; won her first CCMA Award for\n“What The Truck”; was named winner of SiriusXM’s Top of The Country contest; and joined Maddie & Tae on\ntheir U.S. fall tour.\nBut it was 2023 that ultimately proved SACHA’s time is now. Kicking off the year singing the Canadian\nanthem at the 2023 NHL All Star game\, she released her third EP\, Confident\, in May\, and showed her global\nappeal with a performance at the UK’s Long Road Festival in August. And just two days before performing\n“Confident” alongside Tyler Shaw at the 2023 CCMAs in September\, she landed a record deal with Sony\nMusic.\nAs SACHA preps her major label debut\, she vows that she isn’t losing sight of the motivated dreamer that got\nher to this point. But rather than dwelling on the past\, she’s aiming to offer a sense of hope to those who may\nneed a little inspiration in times of adversity — as she once did herself.\n“I want to be able to lift you up\, because I know what it’s like to feel like there’s no way\,” SACHA says.\n“Wouldn’t it be cool to make room for empowering\, anthemic tunes in country music?”\nHer first release will reflect just that. As SACHA declares “Hey Mom (I Made It)\,” the uplifting\, heartfelt tale\n“ain’t talkin’ ‘bout bein’ famous\,” but rather about the personal growth that’s led her to success. “I finally found\nmy way\,” she proudly proclaims in the chorus.\n“Hey Mom (I Made It)” is just one of many new songs SACHA is excited to share with fans in the coming\nmonths\, as she continues to blaze her own trail as a proud woman in country music. While she’s already\nenvisioning a Grand Ole Opry debut and world tour\, her main focus is to spread a positive message: “Having\nthese people\, all in one room\, sharing the same struggles and the same joy.”\nAnd even with all of the ebbs and flows that her journey has entailed\, SACHA has no doubt that the timing\ncouldn’t have worked out better.\n“I’m more aware of who I am\, what I want to do\, what I want to say\, and where I want to go\,” she declares.\n“I’ve sacrificed everything to live this life. I’m not looking to slow down. I’m so ready to run — and ready to\ntake people with me.”\n \n\n\n • Hailey Benedict\n \nA dynamic performer\, multi-award winner\, and charitable advocate\, Hailey Benedict continues to make her mark as a rising talent in country music. This guitar-wielding singer-songwriter has defied gravity\, climbing the ranks from the emerging artist who waspulled in front of a sold-out crowd at a Keith Urban concert to perform an original song to national charting and touring artist in a few short years.2023 has been a monumental year for Hailey\, topped off with being crowned the winner of the SiriusXMTop of the Country competition during the CCMA Awards weekend. Throughout the year\, Haileycontinued to soar to remarkable new heights in her musical journey–including a coveted slot at CMAFest in Nashville\, appearances at major events including Montreal’s Lasso Festival and JUNOfest\, her third CCMA Award nomination\, the release of her captivating and acclaimed singleDamn You July\,national media appearances on CTV’s Etalk and YTV\, tours supporting the likes of Aaron Goodvin andTim Hicks\, and co-hosting the Country Music Alberta Awards\, where she also took home three awards ofher own. In her young career\, she’s already won 13 different awards\, including a CCMA Award for InteractiveArtist of the Year\, in recognition of her mastery and embrace of social media. Her quarter-million-strongfollowing on TikTok is one of the most of any Canadian country artist. Her songWanted You Towas thehighest-charting independent CANCON single by a female in 2021\, reaching #25 on the country charts. A strong advocate for mental health and anti-bullying\, Hailey supports several charitable foundations\, and was honoured as one of the youngest-ever Global Woman of Vision award recipients \n\n\n\n • Jade Turner\n \nCanadian Americana artist Jade Turner is an exceptional storyteller and emotive vocalist\, with an innate ability to make anyone who listens to her music feel as though they too have had the experiences she writes and sings about. A proud member of Misipawistik Cree Nation\, Jade was raised in Northern Manitoba with an upbringing rooted in the nature of storytelling. Her lyrics tell personal tales that range from serious topics to satirical\, and are delivered with her dynamic vocals that span from gritty and raw\, to spirited and energetic. Jade’s exposure to Indigenous artists\, Country\, and Folk music paved the way for her to take home the Best Country Album at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards\, and the Emerging Artist of the Year award at the 2018 Manitoba Country Music Awards. From a career that seemed nearly impossible due to the absence of Indigenous female representation in mainstream music\, Jade credits Blues artist Crystal Shawanda as one of her major inspirations. Through Crystal’s presence\, Jade knew a career in music was possible for her too. In an incredible\, full-circle musical moment\, Jade and Crystal teamed up to write “Deadweight\,” which was released in 2023 and received two awards for Song of the Year and Single of the Year at the Manitoba Country Music Awards in the same year. Most notably\, Jade made it as a semi-finalist in the 2024 Top of The Country with Sirius XM competition. From this experience\, she created the song “That Wind\,” which was released in May. Jade is busy working on her next full-length album\, which will be set to release next year in 2025. \n\n\n\n • Ashley Ghostkeeper\n \nBio \n\n When it came to picking a career\, SACHA always knew there was only one option: singing country music.\nNot because she loved it\, but because she lived it.\nGrowing up in Warkworth\, Ontario — a town of under 1000 people — she was living the life countless\ncountry songs depict: backyard bonfires\, farm land\, the rodeo. And with parents that were in a band\, singing\nwas\, as SACHA puts it\, “part of my DNA.” But unlike her three siblings\, music didn’t just feel like a family trait\n— it felt like her destiny.\n“For me\, it wasn’t just singing to a song. I’m actually feeling this thing happening when I’m singing\,” she says.\n“I’m seeing the whole production. I’m seeing the crowd\, and I’m feeling it.”\nLiving on her own by the time she was 17\, SACHA knew it wouldn’t be easy to make that vision a reality. As\nshe worked full-time\, she found a community within a local church that helped her find her voice and her\nconfidence while also reassuring her that the stage is where she’s meant to be.\nSoon enough\, she headed to Nashville\, where she hustled her way through Music Row while honing her\nplayful\, yet meaningful artistic style. “I was on a mission\,” she says. “For me\, it wasn’t just a dream — it was\na conviction.”\nHer first major breakthrough came in 2021\, when SACHA was named to CMT’s Next Women of Country\nclass\, a distinction once bestowed upon the likes of Maren Morris\, Kacey Musgraves\, Kelsea Ballerini\, and\nGabby Barrett. “That was the door that opened up the rest\,” she suggests.\nLater that year\, she scored her first platinum Canadian single alongside The Reklaws with their viral hit\n“What The Truck\,” which became the fastest Canadian country song to be certified platinum in the streaming\nera. The momentum continued\, as SACHA released her second EP\, We Did; won her first CCMA Award for\n“What The Truck”; was named winner of SiriusXM’s Top of The Country contest; and joined Maddie & Tae on\ntheir U.S. fall tour.\nBut it was 2023 that ultimately proved SACHA’s time is now. Kicking off the year singing the Canadian\nanthem at the 2023 NHL All Star game\, she released her third EP\, Confident\, in May\, and showed her global\nappeal with a performance at the UK’s Long Road Festival in August. And just two days before performing\n“Confident” alongside Tyler Shaw at the 2023 CCMAs in September\, she landed a record deal with Sony\nMusic.\nAs SACHA preps her major label debut\, she vows that she isn’t losing sight of the motivated dreamer that got\nher to this point. But rather than dwelling on the past\, she’s aiming to offer a sense of hope to those who may\nneed a little inspiration in times of adversity — as she once did herself.\n“I want to be able to lift you up\, because I know what it’s like to feel like there’s no way\,” SACHA says.\n“Wouldn’t it be cool to make room for empowering\, anthemic tunes in country music?”\nHer first release will reflect just that. As SACHA declares “Hey Mom (I Made It)\,” the uplifting\, heartfelt tale\n“ain’t talkin’ ‘bout bein’ famous\,” but rather about the personal growth that’s led her to success. “I finally found\nmy way\,” she proudly proclaims in the chorus.\n“Hey Mom (I Made It)” is just one of many new songs SACHA is excited to share with fans in the coming\nmonths\, as she continues to blaze her own trail as a proud woman in country music. While she’s already\nenvisioning a Grand Ole Opry debut and world tour\, her main focus is to spread a positive message: “Having\nthese people\, all in one room\, sharing the same struggles and the same joy.”\nAnd even with all of the ebbs and flows that her journey has entailed\, SACHA has no doubt that the timing\ncouldn’t have worked out better.\n“I’m more aware of who I am\, what I want to do\, what I want to say\, and where I want to go\,” she declares.\n“I’ve sacrificed everything to live this life. I’m not looking to slow down. I’m so ready to run — and ready to\ntake people with me.” \nA dynamic performer\, multi-award winner\, and charitable advocate\, Hailey Benedict continues to make her mark as a rising talent in country music. This guitar-wielding singer-songwriter has defied gravity\, climbing the ranks from the emerging artist who waspulled in front of a sold-out crowd at a Keith Urban concert to perform an original song to national charting and touring artist in a few short years.2023 has been a monumental year for Hailey\, topped off with being crowned the winner of the SiriusXMTop of the Country competition during the CCMA Awards weekend. Throughout the year\, Haileycontinued to soar to remarkable new heights in her musical journey–including a coveted slot at CMAFest in Nashville\, appearances at major events including Montreal’s Lasso Festival and JUNOfest\, her third CCMA Award nomination\, the release of her captivating and acclaimed singleDamn You July\,national media appearances on CTV’s Etalk and YTV\, tours supporting the likes of Aaron Goodvin andTim Hicks\, and co-hosting the Country Music Alberta Awards\, where she also took home three awards ofher own. In her young career\, she’s already won 13 different awards\, including a CCMA Award for InteractiveArtist of the Year\, in recognition of her mastery and embrace of social media. Her quarter-million-strongfollowing on TikTok is one of the most of any Canadian country artist. Her songWanted You Towas thehighest-charting independent CANCON single by a female in 2021\, reaching #25 on the country charts. A strong advocate for mental health and anti-bullying\, Hailey supports several charitable foundations\, and was honoured as one of the youngest-ever Global Woman of Vision award recipients \nCanadian Americana artist Jade Turner is an exceptional storyteller and emotive vocalist\, with an innate ability to make anyone who listens to her music feel as though they too have had the experiences she writes and sings about. A proud member of Misipawistik Cree Nation\, Jade was raised in Northern Manitoba with an upbringing rooted in the nature of storytelling. Her lyrics tell personal tales that range from serious topics to satirical\, and are delivered with her dynamic vocals that span from gritty and raw\, to spirited and energetic. Jade’s exposure to Indigenous artists\, Country\, and Folk music paved the way for her to take home the Best Country Album at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards\, and the Emerging Artist of the Year award at the 2018 Manitoba Country Music Awards. From a career that seemed nearly impossible due to the absence of Indigenous female representation in mainstream music\, Jade credits Blues artist Crystal Shawanda as one of her major inspirations. Through Crystal’s presence\, Jade knew a career in music was possible for her too. In an incredible\, full-circle musical moment\, Jade and Crystal teamed up to write “Deadweight\,” which was released in 2023 and received two awards for Song of the Year and Single of the Year at the Manitoba Country Music Awards in the same year. Most notably\, Jade made it as a semi-finalist in the 2024 Top of The Country with Sirius XM competition. From this experience\, she created the song “That Wind\,” which was released in May. Jade is busy working on her next full-length album\, which will be set to release next year in 2025. \nBio \nWHITEHORSE – Oct 30\, 2024\n \nYukon Arts Centre | Oct 30\nBegonia\nwith Bria Rose N’ Thorns\n& Jasmine Netsena\nTrailblazer and NPR “Artist to watch” Begonia touches down for her first-ever appearance in Whitehorse.  Supported by Bria Rose N’ Thorns and Jasmine Netsena. \nPresented in collaboration with Music Yukon. \n \n Get Tickets\n \nLINEUP\n\n\n • Begonia\n \n Pegged as Canada’s breakout alt-diva\, Begonia has built a legion of fans online and at her legendary live shows. Her critically acclaimed discography includes Lady In Mind EP(2017)\, Fear (2019) and Powder Blue (2023). Among her accolades\, she has a JUNO nomination(2021\, Adult Alternative Album of the Year)\, two Polaris Prize nominations\, multiple #1 songs onCBC Radio\, and was named one of NPR’s Artists You Need to Know. Her sophomore album\, Powder Blue\, emerged in early 2023 and confronts themes of sexuality\, self-discovery\,acceptance\, and empowerment. The album was named one of CBC Music’s Best Canadian Albumsof 2023 (#7) and was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.Begonia’s live performance is world-class. She has been playing sold-out clubs and theatres in North America\, and recently supported indie-all-star Leith Ross on their European tour. Her vocalprowess has the power to absolutely floor an audience\, evidenced at her Polaris Gala performance. She is riding a wave of momentum with a record number of people discovering Powder Blue andbecoming super-fans. Begonia is a standout Canadian talent\, and the world is beginning to take notice.\n \n\n\n • Bria Rose N’ Thorn\n \nOn the wings of the north wind\, Bria Rose shakes the room with soulful energy. Each song tells a story from the eyes of a young Tahltan/Cree woman finding her hope and way in the world around her. Her folk rock sound is complete with rasp and a deep alto flavour that bridges heart and grit. Bria Rose released her debut EP: Sprout\, which boasts positivity\, playfulness\, and power through a rural lens\, on May 31st 2024.  \nLinks: \n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriaRoseMusic/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/BriaRoseMusic/\nSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7y82ZQFgq5G3lb10J52DVb\nYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxx_LPoobwXZ03C84XpOGA\n\n\n\n\n • Jasmine Netsena\n \nBio \n\n Pegged as Canada’s breakout alt-diva\, Begonia has built a legion of fans online and at her legendary live shows. Her critically acclaimed discography includes Lady In Mind EP(2017)\, Fear (2019) and Powder Blue (2023). Among her accolades\, she has a JUNO nomination(2021\, Adult Alternative Album of the Year)\, two Polaris Prize nominations\, multiple #1 songs onCBC Radio\, and was named one of NPR’s Artists You Need to Know. Her sophomore album\, Powder Blue\, emerged in early 2023 and confronts themes of sexuality\, self-discovery\,acceptance\, and empowerment. The album was named one of CBC Music’s Best Canadian Albumsof 2023 (#7) and was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize.Begonia’s live performance is world-class. She has been playing sold-out clubs and theatres in North America\, and recently supported indie-all-star Leith Ross on their European tour. Her vocalprowess has the power to absolutely floor an audience\, evidenced at her Polaris Gala performance. She is riding a wave of momentum with a record number of people discovering Powder Blue andbecoming super-fans. Begonia is a standout Canadian talent\, and the world is beginning to take notice. \nOn the wings of the north wind\, Bria Rose shakes the room with soulful energy. Each song tells a story from the eyes of a young Tahltan/Cree woman finding her hope and way in the world around her. Her folk rock sound is complete with rasp and a deep alto flavour that bridges heart and grit. Bria Rose released her debut EP: Sprout\, which boasts positivity\, playfulness\, and power through a rural lens\, on May 31st 2024.  \nLinks: \n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriaRoseMusic/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/BriaRoseMusic/\nSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7y82ZQFgq5G3lb10J52DVb\nYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxx_LPoobwXZ03C84XpOGA\n\nBio \nOTTAWA – Nov 29\, 2024\n \nNational Arts Centre | Nov 29\nSavannah Ré\nwith Witch Prophet & Silla\nThree-time consecutive JUNO-Award-winning R&B artist Savannah Ré is joined by WIMC Honors Award winner Witch Prophet and acclaimed Inuit throat-singing duo Silla \nPresented in collaboration with Axé WorldFest. \n \n Get Tickets\n \nLINEUP\n\n\n • Savannah Ré\n \nThree-time consecutive JUNO Award winner for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Savannah Ré has become the one to watch in Canadian R&B. By making music with the unyielding intention to craft songs that forfeit polished stories for authentic ones\, the Toronto artist has become the go-to collaborator for R&B’s upper echelon having written with artists like Babyface\, Jessie Reyez\, Normani\, Wondagurl and her mentor\, Grammy Award-winning producer Boi-1da. Savannah Ré’s critically-lauded debut EP Opia earned her multiple award nominations. On her second body of work\, No Weapons\, Savannah holds firm in her commitment to expressing vulnerability through potent songwriting with a newfound understanding of herself. From the perspective of an ever-evolving woman brimming with confidence\, clarity and drive\, Savannah Ré continues to establish herself as an impactful voice in R&B. \n\n\n\n • Witch Prophet\n \nIt’s been 3 years since the release of her Polaris Prize shortlisted album ‘DNAActivation’; an ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots\, fusing Jazz\, Hip-Hop\,Soul and RnB. Touring across North America performing along side and opening for actslike Lido Pimienta\, Sudan Archives\, Tash Sultana\, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more.Now\, Witch Prophet returns to the spotlight with a new soul/adult contemporary LP‘Gateway Experience’ due out May 3rd\, on Heart Lake Records.A soundscape of vocal layers\, loops\, raps and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop\, jazz andsoul-inspired beats produced by her business partner and wife SUN SUN.*File next to Erykah Badu\, Lauryn Hill\, Greentea Peng and Portishead* \n\n\n\n • Silla\n \nSilla are an Inuit throat singing duo known for blending traditional songs across a wide range of contemporary genres. Performing together since 2005\, Silla’s members Charlotte Qamaniq from Iglulik and Cynthia Pitsiulak from Kimmirut\, Nunavut\, have crafted a hypnotizing live performance that is not to be missed. The name Silla\, is derived from the Inuktitut word ‘Sila’\, its definition includes concepts of weather\, land\, spirit\, cunning\, and intelligence. The name acknowledges the powerful spirituality and traditions that have kept the practice alive despite historical threats posed by settler colonization in Canada. Silla has received two Juno nominations for their work as Silla and Rise and are winners of two Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards. \n\nThree-time consecutive JUNO Award winner for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Savannah Ré has become the one to watch in Canadian R&B. By making music with the unyielding intention to craft songs that forfeit polished stories for authentic ones\, the Toronto artist has become the go-to collaborator for R&B’s upper echelon having written with artists like Babyface\, Jessie Reyez\, Normani\, Wondagurl and her mentor\, Grammy Award-winning producer Boi-1da. Savannah Ré’s critically-lauded debut EP Opia earned her multiple award nominations. On her second body of work\, No Weapons\, Savannah holds firm in her commitment to expressing vulnerability through potent songwriting with a newfound understanding of herself. From the perspective of an ever-evolving woman brimming with confidence\, clarity and drive\, Savannah Ré continues to establish herself as an impactful voice in R&B. \nIt’s been 3 years since the release of her Polaris Prize shortlisted album ‘DNAActivation’; an ode to her Ethiopian and Eritrean ancestral roots\, fusing Jazz\, Hip-Hop\,Soul and RnB. Touring across North America performing along side and opening for actslike Lido Pimienta\, Sudan Archives\, Tash Sultana\, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more.Now\, Witch Prophet returns to the spotlight with a new soul/adult contemporary LP‘Gateway Experience’ due out May 3rd\, on Heart Lake Records.A soundscape of vocal layers\, loops\, raps and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop\, jazz andsoul-inspired beats produced by her business partner and wife SUN SUN.*File next to Erykah Badu\, Lauryn Hill\, Greentea Peng and Portishead* \nSilla are an Inuit throat singing duo known for blending traditional songs across a wide range of contemporary genres. Performing together since 2005\, Silla’s members Charlotte Qamaniq from Iglulik and Cynthia Pitsiulak from Kimmirut\, Nunavut\, have crafted a hypnotizing live performance that is not to be missed. The name Silla\, is derived from the Inuktitut word ‘Sila’\, its definition includes concepts of weather\, land\, spirit\, cunning\, and intelligence. The name acknowledges the powerful spirituality and traditions that have kept the practice alive despite historical threats posed by settler colonization in Canada. Silla has received two Juno nominations for their work as Silla and Rise and are winners of two Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards. \nTORONTO – Dec 28\, 2024\n \nStockyards\, Toronto | Dec 28\nÖona Dahl\, Sydney Blu\, Jenner w/ Shera B2B Videri\nA day-to-night dance party with Öona Dahl\, Sydney Blu\, Jenner\, and Shera B2B Videri. This all-female lineup is coming together for a massive collaboration between EQLive (a cross-country concert series showcasing women and gender-diverse talent) and the finale of Change the Beat‘s Canadian tour. Presented by SiriusXM\, Women in Music Canada\, Change the Beat\, and Darkest Hour Records. \n \n Get Tickets\n \nLINEUP URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/eqlive-2024-series/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251107T174416Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T180939Z UID:10000015-1762502400-1762534800@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:2023 Live Music Training Workshops DESCRIPTION:This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. \nCe projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada. \n \nNavigating Live: Artist Career Development\nKeynote / Moderator – Katie Murphy: Day-to-Day Manager for The Tenors at JLE / The LOFT  \nPanel Speakers: Britany Ayton – Promoter/Sofar Sounds\, Jenna Robson – 604 Records\, Mell Kirkland – Vancouver Blues Around Town\, Krystle Dos Santos \n  \nRegister \n \nNavigating Live: Talent Buying & Programming\nKeynote / Moderator: Kathleen Reid: Agent / Managing Director | THE FELDMAN AGENCY \nPanel Speakers: Raeesa Lalani – Presmatic Art Festivals\, Stephanie Purcell – Vox Entertainment\, Janet Larkman – King Theatre \nRegister \n \nNavigating Live: Financial & Legal Management\nKeynote: Vanessa Hoffer\, Production Manager – Live Nation Canada \nPanel Speakers: Samantha Slattery – Capital Consulting \nVanessa Thomas – Sound Royalties \nJuliet Dun – TD Niagara Jazzfest \nTai Notar – Golden Hour Productions \nRegister \n \nNavigating Live: Inclusive Spaces & Culture\nKeynote: Ashley Au: Musician / Composer / Festival Director \nPanel Speakers: Lynne Skromeda – Winnipeg Folk Festival\, Marika Galea – Brandon University\, Keri Latimer – Leaf Rapids \nRegister \n \nNavigating Live: Technical & Creative Production\nKeynote – Samantha Hindle – Technical Director\, Live Sound Engineer and Event Specialist \nPanel Speakers: Kellie Knight – Arts Commons (moderator)\, Bronwyn Bowlby – Theatre Calgary\, Christina Milinusic \n  \nRegister \n \nNavigating Live: Operational Planning & Production\nKeynote – Christine Rogerson: Senior Vice President\, Business Operations | VIBEE \nPanel Speakers: Natasha Mandrusiak – Stampede Entertainment\, Andrea Papirny – Rogers Place\, Jenn Sookdeo – SOOKS Productions\, Charlotte Cuvelier – Sled Island  \nRegister \nThis project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. \nCe projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada. URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/2023-live-music-training-workshops/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://womeninmusic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Live_Stream_Week_1110__444_px-a46fe4e0-scaled.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251107T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251107T151557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T173418Z UID:10000013-1762502400-1762534800@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:International Women's Day DESCRIPTION:International Women’s Day\nWIM Canada along with partners FACTOR\, The Government of Canada\, Ontario Creates and The City of Toronto\, CIMA and CFM present a day of hands-on workshops and speaker sessions\, March 7\, 2023. With sessions featuring incredible leaders here to share their expertise\, this is a day to come out and be inspired.  \nSign up for sessions you wish to attend\, or for the whole day and join us for great conversation and connection in honour of International Women’s Week. All sessions will be held at The Academy at 80A at Universal Music Canada (80 Atlantic Ave\, Toronto\, ON).  \nAttendance is free for all. Women in Music Canada values diversity\, equity and inclusion\, and welcome’s attendees from diverse backgrounds. \n \n Get Workshop Tickets\n \n \n Register for Online Access\n \n \nCreative Asset Reviews\n9:30 – 11:00 AM\nSubmit your links for live asset reviews from pros. These marketing and publicity proswill review submitted online assess and provide tips and tricks to increase reach\, impact and ultimately revenue generation. This session is designed to be fruitful for those being reviewed and others as themes and best practices are discussed.  \n*All who have registered as of Feb 23 will be sent a link to upload materials for review.  \nReviewers: \nAmanda McCauley – Indoor Recess – Host \nMelissa Vincent – Music Journalist & Creative Producer / Polaris Music Prize \nStacey Bedford – Bandzoogle \nVanessa Adora – TikTok \n \nBecoming Export Ready\n11:15 AM – 12:15 PM\nWhile Canada is an incredibly large market\, most artists get to a point in their career where they look to new markets\, to showcasing\, applying for travel funding\, building new teams and generally exporting their music. But what do you need to be ‘export ready’? To qualify for export funding\, to be of interest to international buyers and to jump on a plane prepared to have a successful export market business? This panel of international industry experts will demystify what you should have in order before packing your bags; what export means for artists\, how to prepare\, and how industry knows when an artist is ready to enter their territory. using case studies for real examples. \nSponsored by the Canadian Federation of Musicians \nSPEAKERS: \nMaureen Rpillane – The Unison Fund (Host) \nMaude St-Amand Courcy – Mundial Montreal \nLiana White – CFM \nNoreen Hamid – Creative Producer & Director of Publicity / notNoreen \n \nFireside Chat Lunch – Catered\n12:15 – 1:15 PM (chat begins at 12:30)\nThe music industry has spoken\, its time for a more equitable ecosystem. A. Harmony will sit down with Faryal Kahl-Thompson (TuneCore) and Voula Vagdatis (Universal Music) to talk about how changing the faces of leadership will change a companies culture and create a ripple effect of positive benefit to all areas of a business. \nHost: A. Harmony \nSpeakers:  \nFaryal Khan-Thompson – TuneCore \nVoula Vagdatis – Universal Music Canada \n \nEquity\, Music\, and Technology presented by CIMA\n1:15 – 2:15 PM\nWith its upswings and challenges — when it comes to working with and engaging new technology. Often these conversations get stuck on the topic of existing and emergent social media. This mix of industry professionals\, an academic voice\, will look beyond that scope to instead include the changing material relationships with tech\, how harm may be embedded in innocuous ways\, what are the lesser-known\, game-changing platforms that people should be thinking about and using\, how to improve digital hygiene in order to improve burnout. \nSpeakers: \nMelissa Vincent – Music Journalist & Creative Producer / Polaris Music Prize – Host \nMichelle Da Silva – Journalist \nNoreen Hamid – Creative Producer & Director of Publicity / notNoreen \nSook-Yin \n \nFinance\, Legal & Admin for Live Music Sector (LIVE STREAMED SESSION)\n2:30 – 4:30 PM\nFrom vision to delivery\, a solid budget\, financial plan\, and legal details need to be administered to ensure success. In this hands-on workshop experts will walk through the important building blocks to have in place and share their tips and tricks on budgeting for live\, financial planning\, managing tax data collection\, filing\, invoicing\, and legal processes. All participants will receive templates to be used in future projects including budget templates and tips package. \nKeynote: Vanessa Hoffer\, Production Manager – Live Nation Canada \nPanel Speakers: Samantha Slattery – Capital Consulting \nVanessa Thomas – Sound Royalties \nJuliet Dun – TD Niagara Jazzfest \nTai Notar – Golden Hour Productions \n \n Get Workshop Tickets URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/international-womens-day/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://womeninmusic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IWD_March_7_-a50090e3.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251030T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251030T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251030T051121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260207T174025Z UID:10000011-1761811200-1761843600@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:2024 International Women's Week Summit DESCRIPTION:WIM Canada 2024 Summit\nWIM Canada presents an exciting 2-day event full of speaker sessions\, workshops\, and networking opportunities\, March 4-5\, 2025  in Toronto. \nCome ask questions\, meet others in the industry\, and be inspired by our amazing slate of leaders.  \nIN PERSON TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT  \nRegister for the Virtual Summit to receive a live stream of the panels! \nPremium WIMC members receive $20 off! Not a member? Join here today. \n \n BUY TICKETS\n \n \n DAY 1 SCHEDULE\n \n \n DAY 2 SCHEDULE\n \n \n The Afterparty\n \n \n LOCATION & HOTELS\n \nFor Ticketholders:\n \n \n*For Ticketholders only* \n \n \n*For Ticketholders only* \n DAY 1 – March 6\, 2024\n9:30 – 11:00 AM\nCREATIVE ASSETS REVIEW\nSubmit your artist links for a chance to be reviewed live by our panel of pros! \nOur panelists will select a number of artist submissions for review and discuss your website\, social media footprint\, and press package to provide tips on how you can increase your impact and professionalism. \nPRESENTED BY CANADIAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS  \n \n SUBMIT YOUR LINKS HERE\n \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Liana White\, Executive Director @ CFM\n \n \nLiana White is the Executive Director of the Canadian National Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/CFM). White is involved in every aspect of the unions operations\, from lobbying and negotiating on behalf of musicians\, to mentoring them. With over 25 years’ experience helping musicians to navigate the legal requirements to perform cross border\, White has become recognized within the music industry as a leading authority on the subject. White also sits on the Board of Women in Music Canada\, and on the Canadian Labour Congress Women’s & Workers of Colour Caucuses. \n\n\n\n Noreen Hamid\, Creative Producer & PR Director\n \n \nNoreen Hamid is a Publicity Director\, Creative Producer\, and Consultant with over 10 years of experience leading publicity campaigns for music artists\, labels\, international music award shows\, TV series\, films\, and high-profile events. She also produces television series\, music and entertainment news\, and special events — from award shows and red carpets\, to album release showcases and art exhibits\, and everything in between. After dedicated years with MuchMusic\, MTV\, E!\, the Toronto International Film Festival\, eTalk\, and much more\, Noreen started her own boutique company\, utilizing her passion and combined experiences in Production\, PR\, and Strategy\, and prioritizing work with artists from marginalized communities. An expert in Hip Hop\, R&B\, Afrobeats\, and Pop music publicity\, she works with several artists\, labels\, and projects internationally\, including Megan Thee Stallion\, Young Thug\, Mary J. Blige\, Gunna\, Charlotte Cardin\, TOBi\, Ralph\, Ruby Waters\, IDMAN\, RCA Records\, Arista Records\, 300 Entertainment\, Fool’s Gold\, the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave\, and as a consultant on several upcoming series and artists in development. Currently\, Noreen’s work touches Canada\, the US\, the UK\, France\, Ghana\, Nigeria\, India\, parts of the Middle East\, and beyond. \n\n\n\n Stefanie Purificati\, Feldman Agency\n \nBIO \n\n\n\n Amy Eligh\, Arts & Crafts Publishing\n \n \n Amy Eligh began her career in Publishing at Casablanca Media / Red Brick Songs in the Copyright and Royalties department\, before moving into Creative – where she\nsuccessfully stationed herself for over a decade before moving to Arts & Crafts Music. Within her role as Director of Publishing & Licensing\, Amy pitches large-scale catalogue of songs for film\, trailers\, advertising\, video games\, and TV (US & Canada) as well as oversees the day to day within the department.\nIn addition to pitching\, Amy organizes showcases for clients / songwriters with TV networks\, music supervisors\, and advertisers. She also develops new writers\, arranges co-writing sessions\, coordinates and hosts song-writing camps\, and scouts for talent.\nAt Arts & Crafts Music\, Amy works with Broken Social Scene\, Dear Rouge\, Old Man Saxon\, Marcus Paquin\, Dan Mangan\, bülow\, Cary Brothers\, Sarah MacDougall\, David\nVertesi\, Jordan Klassen\, Sylo and many more. Amy is also on the Board of Directors for Music Publishers Canada and the Chair of the FACTOR Board.\n \n\n\n Michelle Szeto\, Vice President\, Management Division @ Loft Entertainment\n \nMichelle Szeto got her first taste of the entertainment industry at an early age in her hometown of Hong Kong\, working in concert production for international superstars such as Oasis\, Celine Dion\, Boyz II Men\, Sean Lennon and Prodigy.  \nDuring her 17-year tenure at Paquin Entertainment Group\, Michelle held various roles throughout the company\, including publicity\, tour marketing\, and artist management.  \nToday\, in her role as Vice President\, Management Division\, at Loft Entertainment (in partnership with Paquin)\, Michelle personally manages award-winning artists and songwriter: Donovan Woods\, Wild Rivers\, Lindsay Ell\, Devan and Babygirl. \n\n \nLiana White is the Executive Director of the Canadian National Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/CFM). White is involved in every aspect of the unions operations\, from lobbying and negotiating on behalf of musicians\, to mentoring them. With over 25 years’ experience helping musicians to navigate the legal requirements to perform cross border\, White has become recognized within the music industry as a leading authority on the subject. White also sits on the Board of Women in Music Canada\, and on the Canadian Labour Congress Women’s & Workers of Colour Caucuses. \n \nNoreen Hamid is a Publicity Director\, Creative Producer\, and Consultant with over 10 years of experience leading publicity campaigns for music artists\, labels\, international music award shows\, TV series\, films\, and high-profile events. She also produces television series\, music and entertainment news\, and special events — from award shows and red carpets\, to album release showcases and art exhibits\, and everything in between. After dedicated years with MuchMusic\, MTV\, E!\, the Toronto International Film Festival\, eTalk\, and much more\, Noreen started her own boutique company\, utilizing her passion and combined experiences in Production\, PR\, and Strategy\, and prioritizing work with artists from marginalized communities. An expert in Hip Hop\, R&B\, Afrobeats\, and Pop music publicity\, she works with several artists\, labels\, and projects internationally\, including Megan Thee Stallion\, Young Thug\, Mary J. Blige\, Gunna\, Charlotte Cardin\, TOBi\, Ralph\, Ruby Waters\, IDMAN\, RCA Records\, Arista Records\, 300 Entertainment\, Fool’s Gold\, the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave\, and as a consultant on several upcoming series and artists in development. Currently\, Noreen’s work touches Canada\, the US\, the UK\, France\, Ghana\, Nigeria\, India\, parts of the Middle East\, and beyond. \nBIO \n \n Amy Eligh began her career in Publishing at Casablanca Media / Red Brick Songs in the Copyright and Royalties department\, before moving into Creative – where she\nsuccessfully stationed herself for over a decade before moving to Arts & Crafts Music. Within her role as Director of Publishing & Licensing\, Amy pitches large-scale catalogue of songs for film\, trailers\, advertising\, video games\, and TV (US & Canada) as well as oversees the day to day within the department.\nIn addition to pitching\, Amy organizes showcases for clients / songwriters with TV networks\, music supervisors\, and advertisers. She also develops new writers\, arranges co-writing sessions\, coordinates and hosts song-writing camps\, and scouts for talent.\nAt Arts & Crafts Music\, Amy works with Broken Social Scene\, Dear Rouge\, Old Man Saxon\, Marcus Paquin\, Dan Mangan\, bülow\, Cary Brothers\, Sarah MacDougall\, David\nVertesi\, Jordan Klassen\, Sylo and many more. Amy is also on the Board of Directors for Music Publishers Canada and the Chair of the FACTOR Board. \nMichelle Szeto got her first taste of the entertainment industry at an early age in her hometown of Hong Kong\, working in concert production for international superstars such as Oasis\, Celine Dion\, Boyz II Men\, Sean Lennon and Prodigy.  \nDuring her 17-year tenure at Paquin Entertainment Group\, Michelle held various roles throughout the company\, including publicity\, tour marketing\, and artist management.  \nToday\, in her role as Vice President\, Management Division\, at Loft Entertainment (in partnership with Paquin)\, Michelle personally manages award-winning artists and songwriter: Donovan Woods\, Wild Rivers\, Lindsay Ell\, Devan and Babygirl. \n11:15 AM – 12:15 PM\nTaking the Reins: Artist Self-Management\nThe tools for launching your own music career have never been more accessible… But that doesn’t make it any less confusing! What do you need to know to manage yourself? How can you build a team of collaborators and industry professionals on your own? And where does the money come from? This panel of experts will discuss how artists can bootstrap projects on their own and answer your questions for how to level up. \n  \nPRESENTED BY CIMA \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Savannah Wellman\, Tiny Kingdom Music\n \n \nLiana White is the Executive Director of the Canadian National Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/CFM). White is involved in every aspect of the unions operations\, from lobbying and negotiating on behalf of musicians\, to mentoring them. With over 25 years’ experience helping musicians to navigate the legal requirements to perform cross border\, White has become recognized within the music industry as a leading authority on the subject. White also sits on the Board of Women in Music Canada\, and on the Canadian Labour Congress Women’s & Workers of Colour Caucuses. \n\n\n\n Witch Prophet\, Artist\n \n \nWitch Prophet is a queer\, East African\, singer-songwriter\, as well as the President and Co-CEO of women owned and operated indie label Heart Lake Records. As Witch Prophet\, she provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers\, loops\, raps\, and harmonies on a bed of trip-hop\, neo soul and jazz inspired beats produced by her wife\, DJ and business partner SUN SUN. She finds depth and connection in creatingmusic as a portal for self-growth and discovery. File next to Erykah Badu\, Lauryn Hill\, Greentea Peng and Portishead. \nWitch Prophet has had the opportunity to open for multiple artists like; Tash Sultana\, Sudan Archives\, JPEGMAFIA\, Pierre Kwenders\, CLIPPING\, Lido Pimienta\, Begonia\, and Snotty Nose Rez Kids to name a few. \nHer 2020 album ‘DNA Activation’ was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and her most recent album ‘Gateway Experience’\, was long listed for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize. She was featured in the Toronto Star where her album was reviewed and quoted as being “a transfixing journey” and a “trippy dive into the nexus of health\, spirituality and human connection”. \n\n\n\n Melissa McMaster\, Founder of 902HipHop\, Junos Rap Advisory Committee Chair\n \n \nMelissa started her journey in the music industry with the successful launch of 902HipHop\, a Halifax-based artist management and music licensing company. Melissa has been instrumental in building the careers of East Coast artists Quake Matthews\, Kayo\, and producer Matty Galaxy.In the last three years\, Melissa has been a guiding force in the music landscape\, working with major distribution companies like UnitedMasters and Trac\, contributing significantly to the development of their Sync Departments. She has a keen ear for finding new talent and licensing and clearing music for a number of clients including NBA2K\, ESPN\, Netflix\, Hulu\, Instinct and Black & White Music. \nMelissa’s dynamic presence and strategic insights make her a standout figure in the industry\, she’s consistently creating unique opportunities both nationally and internationally to help artists break into new markets. \n\n\n\n Aisha Wickham\, Ontario Creates\n \n \n Developing and promoting Canada’s music industry has been the primary focus of Aisha’s career. She is currently a Program Consultant for the Ontario Music Office at Ontario Creates. In this role\, she manages funding programs and implements strategic initiatives to support economic development within the province’s music industry.\nAisha was part of the management team that launched Canada’s first Black-owned radio station\, FLOW 93.5\, and has also worked in senior management positions with G98.7 FM\, Nia Centre for the Arts\, the Urban Music Association of Canada\, and the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association of Canada. She ran her own communications consulting practice\, ngoma productions\, for a number of years\, specializing in project management\, business plan development and writing services for the music and broadcasting sectors.\nSome of the committees that Aisha has served on include: Toronto Arts Council Music Committee\, National Advisory Board for the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR)\, JUNO Awards nomination committees (R&B/Soul)\, Ryerson\nUniversity Alumni Association Board\, and Community Engagement Council for the Toronto 2015 PanAm/ParapanAm Games.\nAisha is the recipient of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME) Award for Behind the Scenes Executive of the Year\, the Canadian New Media Award for Outstanding Young Woman and the Harry Jerome Award\nfor leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Radio and Television Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).\n \n \nLiana White is the Executive Director of the Canadian National Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM/CFM). White is involved in every aspect of the unions operations\, from lobbying and negotiating on behalf of musicians\, to mentoring them. With over 25 years’ experience helping musicians to navigate the legal requirements to perform cross border\, White has become recognized within the music industry as a leading authority on the subject. White also sits on the Board of Women in Music Canada\, and on the Canadian Labour Congress Women’s & Workers of Colour Caucuses. \n \nWitch Prophet is a queer\, East African\, singer-songwriter\, as well as the President and Co-CEO of women owned and operated indie label Heart Lake Records. As Witch Prophet\, she provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers\, loops\, raps\, and harmonies on a bed of trip-hop\, neo soul and jazz inspired beats produced by her wife\, DJ and business partner SUN SUN. She finds depth and connection in creatingmusic as a portal for self-growth and discovery. File next to Erykah Badu\, Lauryn Hill\, Greentea Peng and Portishead. \nWitch Prophet has had the opportunity to open for multiple artists like; Tash Sultana\, Sudan Archives\, JPEGMAFIA\, Pierre Kwenders\, CLIPPING\, Lido Pimienta\, Begonia\, and Snotty Nose Rez Kids to name a few. \nHer 2020 album ‘DNA Activation’ was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and her most recent album ‘Gateway Experience’\, was long listed for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize. She was featured in the Toronto Star where her album was reviewed and quoted as being “a transfixing journey” and a “trippy dive into the nexus of health\, spirituality and human connection”. \n \nMelissa started her journey in the music industry with the successful launch of 902HipHop\, a Halifax-based artist management and music licensing company. Melissa has been instrumental in building the careers of East Coast artists Quake Matthews\, Kayo\, and producer Matty Galaxy.In the last three years\, Melissa has been a guiding force in the music landscape\, working with major distribution companies like UnitedMasters and Trac\, contributing significantly to the development of their Sync Departments. She has a keen ear for finding new talent and licensing and clearing music for a number of clients including NBA2K\, ESPN\, Netflix\, Hulu\, Instinct and Black & White Music. \nMelissa’s dynamic presence and strategic insights make her a standout figure in the industry\, she’s consistently creating unique opportunities both nationally and internationally to help artists break into new markets. \n \n Developing and promoting Canada’s music industry has been the primary focus of Aisha’s career. She is currently a Program Consultant for the Ontario Music Office at Ontario Creates. In this role\, she manages funding programs and implements strategic initiatives to support economic development within the province’s music industry.\nAisha was part of the management team that launched Canada’s first Black-owned radio station\, FLOW 93.5\, and has also worked in senior management positions with G98.7 FM\, Nia Centre for the Arts\, the Urban Music Association of Canada\, and the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association of Canada. She ran her own communications consulting practice\, ngoma productions\, for a number of years\, specializing in project management\, business plan development and writing services for the music and broadcasting sectors.\nSome of the committees that Aisha has served on include: Toronto Arts Council Music Committee\, National Advisory Board for the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR)\, JUNO Awards nomination committees (R&B/Soul)\, Ryerson\nUniversity Alumni Association Board\, and Community Engagement Council for the Toronto 2015 PanAm/ParapanAm Games.\nAisha is the recipient of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME) Award for Behind the Scenes Executive of the Year\, the Canadian New Media Award for Outstanding Young Woman and the Harry Jerome Award\nfor leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Radio and Television Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). \n12:30-1:30\nFIRESIDE LUNCH: BREAKOUT ARTISTS\nBreakout artist Begonia chats with Bee Ramesh about her journey – an impressive rise that includes 2 recent Juno nominations\, a spot on the 2023 Polaris Music Prize shortlist\, and being named one of NPR’s Artists You Need to Know. \nLunch: Grab’n’Go lunches are included with your ticket! \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n BREAKOUT ARTIST: BEGONIA\n \n \nPegged as Canada’s breakout alt-diva\, Begonia has built a legion of fans online and at her legendary live shows. Her critically acclaimed discography includes Lady In Mind EP (2017)\, Fear (2019)\, and Powder Blue (2023). \nAmong her accolades\, she has two JUNO nominations (2021\, 2024\, Adult Alternative Album of the Year)\, two Polaris Prize nominations\, multiple #1 songs on CBC Radio\, and was named one of NPR’s Artists You Need to Know. Her sophomore album\, Powder Blue emerged in early 2023 and confronts themes of sexuality\, self-discovery\, acceptance and empowerment. The album was named one of CBC Music’s Best Canadian Albumsof 2023 (#7) and was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize. \nBegonia’s live performance is world-class. She has been playing sold-out clubs and theatres in North America and recently supported indie-all-star Leith Ross on their European tour. Her vocal prowess has the power to absolutely floor an audience\, as evidenced at her Polaris Gala performance. She is riding a wave of momentum with a record number of people discovering Powder Blue and becoming super-fans. Begonia is a standout Canadian talent\, and the world is beginning to take notice. \n\n\n\n INTERVIEWED BY: Bee Ramesh\n \n \nBee Ramesh\, aka Eboshi\, is a marketing strategist\, director\, producer\, and multidisciplinary artist. At Birthday Cake Media\, Bee works on the label side for Marketing & Sales; tailoring unique approaches for social media\, rolling out releases\, and running internal publicity. As Eboshi\, she is one half of the experimental hip-hop group\, Cartel Madras\, and a founding member of interdisciplinary art and production house\, FOREIGNERZ. She is passionate about platforming artists and developing their brand so they can share their stories with authenticity.Signed to Sub Pop Records in 2019\, Bee has toured North America and Europe\, performing in major festivals; SXSW\, Reeperbahn\, Pop-Kultur Berlin\, and Barcelona Acció Musical (BAM).Cartel Madras has been featured in Billboard\, GQ India\, and NME and has had their music in the soundtracks of Hulu’s “Shrill”\, EA Games FC24 and UFC4\, and Netflix’s “Trinkets”. Through nightlife and event production\, Eboshi has also hosted many notable events such as Boiler Room Toronto\, The Otherworld: A Fashion Experience\, She Rocks – a South Asian Women inMusic Showcase\, and the 2023 Calgary Pride Gala. FRNRZ Media is currently developing a new scripted series.Birthday Cake Media is a record label and management company that is committed to elevating and celebrating the diverse and uniquely talented artists on our roster. We strive to create and nurture successful\, sustainable music careers globally\, with a commitment to integrity\, kindness\, and resilience. Some of our artists include The Bros. Landreth\, Begonia\, Field Guide\, and SlowLeaves. \n\n \nPegged as Canada’s breakout alt-diva\, Begonia has built a legion of fans online and at her legendary live shows. Her critically acclaimed discography includes Lady In Mind EP (2017)\, Fear (2019)\, and Powder Blue (2023). \nAmong her accolades\, she has two JUNO nominations (2021\, 2024\, Adult Alternative Album of the Year)\, two Polaris Prize nominations\, multiple #1 songs on CBC Radio\, and was named one of NPR’s Artists You Need to Know. Her sophomore album\, Powder Blue emerged in early 2023 and confronts themes of sexuality\, self-discovery\, acceptance and empowerment. The album was named one of CBC Music’s Best Canadian Albumsof 2023 (#7) and was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize. \nBegonia’s live performance is world-class. She has been playing sold-out clubs and theatres in North America and recently supported indie-all-star Leith Ross on their European tour. Her vocal prowess has the power to absolutely floor an audience\, as evidenced at her Polaris Gala performance. She is riding a wave of momentum with a record number of people discovering Powder Blue and becoming super-fans. Begonia is a standout Canadian talent\, and the world is beginning to take notice. \n \nBee Ramesh\, aka Eboshi\, is a marketing strategist\, director\, producer\, and multidisciplinary artist. At Birthday Cake Media\, Bee works on the label side for Marketing & Sales; tailoring unique approaches for social media\, rolling out releases\, and running internal publicity. As Eboshi\, she is one half of the experimental hip-hop group\, Cartel Madras\, and a founding member of interdisciplinary art and production house\, FOREIGNERZ. She is passionate about platforming artists and developing their brand so they can share their stories with authenticity.Signed to Sub Pop Records in 2019\, Bee has toured North America and Europe\, performing in major festivals; SXSW\, Reeperbahn\, Pop-Kultur Berlin\, and Barcelona Acció Musical (BAM).Cartel Madras has been featured in Billboard\, GQ India\, and NME and has had their music in the soundtracks of Hulu’s “Shrill”\, EA Games FC24 and UFC4\, and Netflix’s “Trinkets”. Through nightlife and event production\, Eboshi has also hosted many notable events such as Boiler Room Toronto\, The Otherworld: A Fashion Experience\, She Rocks – a South Asian Women inMusic Showcase\, and the 2023 Calgary Pride Gala. FRNRZ Media is currently developing a new scripted series.Birthday Cake Media is a record label and management company that is committed to elevating and celebrating the diverse and uniquely talented artists on our roster. We strive to create and nurture successful\, sustainable music careers globally\, with a commitment to integrity\, kindness\, and resilience. Some of our artists include The Bros. Landreth\, Begonia\, Field Guide\, and SlowLeaves. \n1:45-2:45 PM\nMental Health & Wellness in the Industry\nLet’s face it – the music industry wasn’t built around best practices for mental health. It’s fast-paced\, and can be dog-eat-dog or even downright predatorial. So how do we carve out habits\, systems\, and supports for individual and communal mental health and wellness? Our panelists share their expertise on how to thrive during high-stress times like recording and touring\, discuss how to build healthy creative teams\, and point us toward resources that are especially useful for the music community. \nPRESENTED BY TORONTO MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Catherine Harrison\, President\, Revelios Mental Health\n \n \nCatherine Harrison\, M.A. Psych\, P.C.C.\, is a Canadian musician\, mental health strategy consultant\, leadership expert\, author\, speaker\, certified executive coach\, and advocate for inclusive and equitable well-being. As the founder and president of Revelios\, she aims to improve our collective mental health literacy and social fitness through education\, reducing stigma\, and facilitating open\, courageous conversations. Over the past several years\, Catherine has been active in illuminating the unique mental health challenges that musicians and crew experience. She is a trusted advisor to several national and international non-profit music organizations and provides non-clinical mental health support to Canadian music industry professionals. \n\n\n\n Michelle Allman-Esdaille\, CEO @ Sustainable Creative Living\n \n \nMichelle Allman-Esdaille\, a visionary leader\, is transforming the creative industry through her brainchild\, The Hook & Company\, a Toronto-based hub for artist services. As an accomplished artist manager and business owner\, Michelle is renowned for her influence\, including being the pioneering force behind The HOOK Sync Group\, Canada’s premier sync agency helmed by a Black woman\, championing inclusivity. At ADVANCE\, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective\, Michelle drives operations and talent acquisition\, actively fostering growth in the Black music scene. Her commitment extends to Sustainable Creative Living\, a platform where she leverages her decade-long experience to empower export-ready artists and industry professionals through programming designed in partnership with MuCruu\, a liaison export company. \nTo add to the list\, Michelle is a Reiki practitioner and author of a collaborative anthology book entitled “You Have So Much Potential – Inspiring Generation Healing & Transformation” with 29 other doctors and practitioners showcasing her multifaceted commitment to empowering others\, making her a true pioneer in the industry. \n\n\n\n Maylee Todd\, Artist\n \n \nMaylee Todd\, based in Los Angeles\, is a multimedia/interdisciplinary artist with expertise in performance art\, music production\, dance\, AR/VR performance\, and curation. She has seamlessly integrated various artistic disciplines into a series of multimedia performances\, complemented by her self-produced records. Notable works include “Maylee Todd’s Musical Planetarium” (2013)\, “Inamorata” (2016)\, “Virtual Womb” (2015-2019) with international tours and features on CBC’s Exhibitionists\, and “Psychonaut Experiments” (2018-2020)\, earning her a nomination for the Inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. \nMaylee’s music career boasts self-produced records like “Choose Your Own Adventure” (2010) and “Escapology” (2013)\, reaching number 10 on the Tokyo International Billboard Charts. Her song “Baby’s Got It” received SOCAN Songwriting Award and Prism Prize nominations. \nHer science fiction album “MALOO” (2022) on Stones Throw Records featured live motion capture\, winning the AIM Awards’ ‘Best Creative Campaign’ and making history as the first avatar to perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Home Concert Series. The track “Grab Your Guts” from MALOO earned a SOCAN Best Song Writing nomination. \nMaylee is a music producer for CBC and Netflix’s “Workin Moms\,” receiving the CASMA Canadian Screen Music Award for Best Original Score for the final series “The End.” Currently\, she tours a project using an EEG headband to convert her brainwaves into music\, showcased at Elevate Fest Canada’s Largest Tech Summit. She collaborates with The Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in New York on the “Woman and Non-Binary In Tech Series.” Recently nominated for the 2024 Woman In Music Honours International Achievement Award\, Maylee Todd continues to push boundaries in the intersection of art and technology. \n\n\n\n Amanda Power\, Executive Director @ The Unison Fund\n \n \nFrom an early age Amanda Power recognized her skills and passion for music would be best suited to a career behind the scenes. She focused her life-long passion towards the Canadian music industry\, working at the Canadian Country Music Association\, Gibson Guitar Canada\, CARAS/The JUNO Awards\, World Vision Canada\, and Canadian Music Week. \nAmanda eventually landed at The Unison Fund in 2015 as Development Manager and brought her two decades worth of experience in event management\, sponsorship\,marketing\, and industry relations to the organization. Unison grew with several hallmark fundraising events like its national golf tournaments and holiday ‘Schmoozefest’ party\, and in 2018 Amanda was appointed Executive Director. \nIn her leadership role\, Amanda has brought in over 30 million dollars in funding\, securing $18.2 million in 2022 from the Government of Canada for Canadian live music workers\, as well as $10 million from The Slaight Family Foundation to develop a Legacy program for veteran and chronically ill members of the music community. In 2022\, The Unison Fund was the recipient of the CCMA Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award for its crucial work during the pandemic and is currently home to 6 full-time staff and 11 board members who serve the Canadian music industry. \nAmanda is a passionate advocate for animal welfare\, a proud “mom” to five fur-babies\, enjoys gardening\, and spending quality time with friends and family appreciating a nice bottle of red. \nwww.unisonfund.ca \n\n \nCatherine Harrison\, M.A. Psych\, P.C.C.\, is a Canadian musician\, mental health strategy consultant\, leadership expert\, author\, speaker\, certified executive coach\, and advocate for inclusive and equitable well-being. As the founder and president of Revelios\, she aims to improve our collective mental health literacy and social fitness through education\, reducing stigma\, and facilitating open\, courageous conversations. Over the past several years\, Catherine has been active in illuminating the unique mental health challenges that musicians and crew experience. She is a trusted advisor to several national and international non-profit music organizations and provides non-clinical mental health support to Canadian music industry professionals. \n \nMichelle Allman-Esdaille\, a visionary leader\, is transforming the creative industry through her brainchild\, The Hook & Company\, a Toronto-based hub for artist services. As an accomplished artist manager and business owner\, Michelle is renowned for her influence\, including being the pioneering force behind The HOOK Sync Group\, Canada’s premier sync agency helmed by a Black woman\, championing inclusivity. At ADVANCE\, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective\, Michelle drives operations and talent acquisition\, actively fostering growth in the Black music scene. Her commitment extends to Sustainable Creative Living\, a platform where she leverages her decade-long experience to empower export-ready artists and industry professionals through programming designed in partnership with MuCruu\, a liaison export company. \nTo add to the list\, Michelle is a Reiki practitioner and author of a collaborative anthology book entitled “You Have So Much Potential – Inspiring Generation Healing & Transformation” with 29 other doctors and practitioners showcasing her multifaceted commitment to empowering others\, making her a true pioneer in the industry. \n \nMaylee Todd\, based in Los Angeles\, is a multimedia/interdisciplinary artist with expertise in performance art\, music production\, dance\, AR/VR performance\, and curation. She has seamlessly integrated various artistic disciplines into a series of multimedia performances\, complemented by her self-produced records. Notable works include “Maylee Todd’s Musical Planetarium” (2013)\, “Inamorata” (2016)\, “Virtual Womb” (2015-2019) with international tours and features on CBC’s Exhibitionists\, and “Psychonaut Experiments” (2018-2020)\, earning her a nomination for the Inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. \nMaylee’s music career boasts self-produced records like “Choose Your Own Adventure” (2010) and “Escapology” (2013)\, reaching number 10 on the Tokyo International Billboard Charts. Her song “Baby’s Got It” received SOCAN Songwriting Award and Prism Prize nominations. \nHer science fiction album “MALOO” (2022) on Stones Throw Records featured live motion capture\, winning the AIM Awards’ ‘Best Creative Campaign’ and making history as the first avatar to perform on NPR’s Tiny Desk Home Concert Series. The track “Grab Your Guts” from MALOO earned a SOCAN Best Song Writing nomination. \nMaylee is a music producer for CBC and Netflix’s “Workin Moms\,” receiving the CASMA Canadian Screen Music Award for Best Original Score for the final series “The End.” Currently\, she tours a project using an EEG headband to convert her brainwaves into music\, showcased at Elevate Fest Canada’s Largest Tech Summit. She collaborates with The Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in New York on the “Woman and Non-Binary In Tech Series.” Recently nominated for the 2024 Woman In Music Honours International Achievement Award\, Maylee Todd continues to push boundaries in the intersection of art and technology. \n \nFrom an early age Amanda Power recognized her skills and passion for music would be best suited to a career behind the scenes. She focused her life-long passion towards the Canadian music industry\, working at the Canadian Country Music Association\, Gibson Guitar Canada\, CARAS/The JUNO Awards\, World Vision Canada\, and Canadian Music Week. \nAmanda eventually landed at The Unison Fund in 2015 as Development Manager and brought her two decades worth of experience in event management\, sponsorship\,marketing\, and industry relations to the organization. Unison grew with several hallmark fundraising events like its national golf tournaments and holiday ‘Schmoozefest’ party\, and in 2018 Amanda was appointed Executive Director. \nIn her leadership role\, Amanda has brought in over 30 million dollars in funding\, securing $18.2 million in 2022 from the Government of Canada for Canadian live music workers\, as well as $10 million from The Slaight Family Foundation to develop a Legacy program for veteran and chronically ill members of the music community. In 2022\, The Unison Fund was the recipient of the CCMA Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award for its crucial work during the pandemic and is currently home to 6 full-time staff and 11 board members who serve the Canadian music industry. \nAmanda is a passionate advocate for animal welfare\, a proud “mom” to five fur-babies\, enjoys gardening\, and spending quality time with friends and family appreciating a nice bottle of red. \nwww.unisonfund.ca \n3:00 – 4:00 PM\nInnovating Income Streams\nFrom playlisting to subscription-based communities\, merch sales to licensing\, artists\, their teams\, and the apps that support them are finding innovative new ways to get paid. These experts chime in on best practices\, untapped resources\, and emerging trends in diversifying income for artists and the people who support them. \nPRESENTED BY ACTRA:RACS \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Vanessa Thomas\, Sound Royalties\n \nBIO \n\n\n\n Shenel Ekici-Moling\, Partnerships @ Substack\n \nBIO \n\n\n\n Elise Milani\, Head of Music Marketing @ Monstercat\n \nElise Milani is the Toronto-based Head of Music Marketing at Electronic music’s leading independent record label\, Monstercat. In this role\, Milani manages a multinational team of Project Managers tasked to deliver marketing strategies for Monstercat’s demanding frontline release schedule\, totaling five releases per week. \nSince joining Monstercat in April 2022\, she has made significant contributions to the label’s success\, including the breakout of UK duo Punctual’s “Do It All Again\,” which amassed over 50 million streams within its first year. In addition\, she recently oversaw the marketing rollout for WHIPPED CREAM’s “The Dark” feat. Jasiah & Crimson Child\, the first-ever volumetrically captured VR music video in Canada. This unique interactive VR exhibit premiered at the SXSW XR Experience program in March 2023 and is the world’s highest-resolution VR music experience to date. \nPrior to joining Monstercat\, Milani was the Senior Artist & Operations Manager at 2+2 Management\, where she worked with several award-winning Canadian artists\, including REZZ\, Zeds Dead\, and Keys N Krates. Her talent for developing acts regionally and internationally has resulted in two JUNO Awards\, six JUNO nominations\, and multiple Music Canada-accredited records. One notable achievement was the premiere of REZZ’s JUNO Award-winning Beyond the Senses (2019) EP\, a virtual reality concert that rented global VR lounges for fans to view simultaneously. \n\n\n\n LATASHÁ\, Artist\n \n \n Melding the rhythms of hip-hop and dance with the future of blockchain\, LATASHÁ emerges as a distinctive polymath at the crossroads of music\, art\, and technology. Beyond her accolades as a singer-songwriter and producer\, she is a tech visionary\, pioneering the integration of music with blockchain. Anchored in powerful tales of Black femininity and empowerment\, LATASHÁ masterfully employs innovative tech\, from NFTs to Midi controllers\, to resonate her narratives even louder.\n \n\n\n Monika Chmielewska\, Senior Legal & Business Affairs\, Third Side Music\n \n \nMonika is a lawyer working in the Legal & Business Affairs department at independent music publisher Third Side Music. She handles negotiations for synchronization requests (for film\, TV\, ads\, trailers\, and video games) and sample uses worldwide. In addition to her role at TSM\, she is involved with the Conseil des arts de Montréal as a member of the Music Evaluation Committee\, and is also pursuing graduate studies in Arts & Culture Management at HEC Montréal. \n\nBIO \nBIO \nElise Milani is the Toronto-based Head of Music Marketing at Electronic music’s leading independent record label\, Monstercat. In this role\, Milani manages a multinational team of Project Managers tasked to deliver marketing strategies for Monstercat’s demanding frontline release schedule\, totaling five releases per week. \nSince joining Monstercat in April 2022\, she has made significant contributions to the label’s success\, including the breakout of UK duo Punctual’s “Do It All Again\,” which amassed over 50 million streams within its first year. In addition\, she recently oversaw the marketing rollout for WHIPPED CREAM’s “The Dark” feat. Jasiah & Crimson Child\, the first-ever volumetrically captured VR music video in Canada. This unique interactive VR exhibit premiered at the SXSW XR Experience program in March 2023 and is the world’s highest-resolution VR music experience to date. \nPrior to joining Monstercat\, Milani was the Senior Artist & Operations Manager at 2+2 Management\, where she worked with several award-winning Canadian artists\, including REZZ\, Zeds Dead\, and Keys N Krates. Her talent for developing acts regionally and internationally has resulted in two JUNO Awards\, six JUNO nominations\, and multiple Music Canada-accredited records. One notable achievement was the premiere of REZZ’s JUNO Award-winning Beyond the Senses (2019) EP\, a virtual reality concert that rented global VR lounges for fans to view simultaneously. \n \n Melding the rhythms of hip-hop and dance with the future of blockchain\, LATASHÁ emerges as a distinctive polymath at the crossroads of music\, art\, and technology. Beyond her accolades as a singer-songwriter and producer\, she is a tech visionary\, pioneering the integration of music with blockchain. Anchored in powerful tales of Black femininity and empowerment\, LATASHÁ masterfully employs innovative tech\, from NFTs to Midi controllers\, to resonate her narratives even louder.\n \nMonika is a lawyer working in the Legal & Business Affairs department at independent music publisher Third Side Music. She handles negotiations for synchronization requests (for film\, TV\, ads\, trailers\, and video games) and sample uses worldwide. In addition to her role at TSM\, she is involved with the Conseil des arts de Montréal as a member of the Music Evaluation Committee\, and is also pursuing graduate studies in Arts & Culture Management at HEC Montréal. \nDay 1 Wrap-up: The Listening Party\n4:00 – 5:00 pm\nClose off an exciting Summit Day 1 by enjoying a few featured tracks from top & emerging Canadian producers!\nWhat’s The Listening Party?It’s a curated showcase series that builds awareness and opportunity for award-winning and emerging underrepresented producers. It offers producers and listeners the exhilarating feeling of a communal listening experience for new music. \nLaunched in 2022 by the advocacy arm of LPM production studio\, what began at Toronto’s Phoenix nightclub is now expanding to provincial\, national and international scopes. \nCome celebrate\, discover\, and connect with top producers and rising talent from diverse communities in an informal and fun atmosphere. You just might discover the producer for your next project. \nwww.thelisteningparty.vip \n \n DAY 2 – March 7\, 2024\n10:00 – 11:00 AM\nBeyond Genre: Creating & Branding in a post-genre world\nFrom Alt R&B to Liquid DnB\, Chillhop to Afrobeats\, Synthwave to Slowcore\, genres are becoming more fluid and listeners can discover new trends and artists via social media and cross-genre streaming playlists. How does this affect how music is made\, represented\, and promoted in the industry? Are micro-genre playlists the way to break hybrid artists? How can category-driven awards stay relevant in a landscape that is evolving faster than ever? Our experts chime in from the artist to the industry side of the biz. \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Melissa Vincent\, Journalist\n \n \nMelissa Vincent is a music journalist\, researcher\, and strategist based in Toronto. Her work broadly investigates questions of equity\, intimacy\, and community formation as it relates to music\, technology\, and culture. She’s been featured in Elle Canada\, Pitchfork\, Billboard\, NPR Music\, The Globe and Mail\, The Fader\, and Vice. In 2022\, she was nominated for the 7th annual Digital Publishing Awards by the National Media Awards Foundation in the category of “Best Science and Technology Storytelling.” She has moderated panels around the world\, and on a somewhat frequent basis\, CBC’s The National will ask her to talk about breaking music stories. In the past\, she’s led the strategy for content platforms operated by Blue Ant Media\, Universal Music Canada\, and Banger Films\, including producing a podcast an 8-part music docuseries on Netflix. She’s a Prism Prize juror\, a SOCAN Songwriting Prize Panelist\, and Polaris Prize jury foreperson and board member. She’s currently completing a graduate fellowship at the McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto. \n\n\n\n Jess Huddleston\, Editorial Lead @ Spotify Canada\n \n \nJess Huddleston is currently the Editorial Lead for Spotify Canada\, where she oversees a team of music curators who craft playlists and on-platform programming north of the border. Jess comes from a music journalism background — writing for Complex\, VICE\, CLASH and more before landing at MuchMusic and then CBC Music\, where she led a team of music journalists and hosted a music talk show called The Intro. With over 15 years in Canadian music media\, Jess is most passionate about shining a spotlight on emerging Canadian talent\, and helping to export those incredible sounds to other parts of the world. \n\n\n\n Sydney Blu\, The JUNOs\, Chair of the “Underground Dance Music” Category\n \nBIO \n\n\n\n Dani Deahl\, DJ/Producer\, Head of Communications & Creator Insights @ BandLab\n \n \nAs a prominent figure in music\, Dani Deahl has been at the forefront of artist discovery and meaningful industry change for over a decade. She currently is a DJ\, producer\, and artist advocate. She developed the coverage for the intersection of music and technology for The Verge\, helmed YouTube series The Future of Music\, and is Governor for the Recording Academy Chicago chapter. \nWhen performing\, she crafts house sets that are technically savvy and explore her roots in Chicago’s storied music history through a contemporary lens. Her sound expands across tech house\, bright\, upbeat grooves\, chugging percussion\, and soul and disco-infusions. \nShe has a regular presence on Twitch with the flagship show Demo Drop and can also be found on Clubhouse\, where she runs the platform’s largest dance music club\, World of EDM. \nAs an artist herself\, Dani has released with labels like Dim Mak\, Monstercat\, Flamingo\, Cr2\, and Armada. She has also been the subject of two documentaries\, toured extensively across the globe\, played festivals like Spring Awakening\, Lollapalooza\, and EDC\, venues like Wrigley Field (with Fall Out Boy)\, hosted her own terrestrial radio show in Spain and the Canary Islands\, and has been an official Red Bull DJ. She has headlined with or been direct support for artists like Alison Wonderland\, Valentino Khan\, Deadmau5\, Diplo\, Steve Aoki\, NERVO\, LP Giobbi\, and countless others. As Diplo himself says: “She’s awesome.” \nDani also previously held editorial positions with NYLON Magazine and DJ Mag\, and she is the host of YouTube series The Future of Music\, which features stars like Charli XCX and Oak Felder\, producer for Kehlani and Demi Lovato. Her writing appears in countless publications like VICE\, Mixmag\, Festival Insider\, CNBC\, OCTOBER\, The Verge\, Insomniac\, and more. \nDani has been heralded for her impact in music by Music Business Worldwide\, Music Week\, Variety\, Billboard\, Yahoo\, Chicago Tribune\, and many others. She’s also a prominent expert and fierce advocate on the topic of gender equality in dance music\, with speaking engagements at TEDx\, Spotify for Artists\, Wallifornia\, Reeperbahn\, and more. \nIn 2020\, she partnered with Bandsintown and Twitter to launch Net.Werk\, a Twitch festival dedicated to underrepresented acts in dance. Featuring acts like Michael Brun\, Varien\, and GG Magree\, the festival’s viewership consistently outperformed competing Twitch festivals. \nAdditionally\, Dani has been a guest and expert voice for MSNBC and on podcasts like Reset\, Vergecast\, Switched on Pop\, Ari’s Take\, and more. \nAs of 2023\, Dani is also an elected Governor for the Recording Academy’s Chicago Chapter\, engaging in outreach and professional development for the music community. \n\n\n\n Hill Kourkoutis\, Producer/Engineer/Artist\n \n \nHill Kourkoutis is a JUNO Award-winning producer\, songwriter\, composer\, mixer\, recording engineer\, multi-instrumentalist\, artist\, and director. \nSpanning her career\, Hill has contributed either as producer\, mixer and/or songwriter on albums and singles for Aysanabee (“Nomads” #1 CBC Radio\, #1 Alternative Rock Radio\, Top 30 Canada Modern Rock Airplay\, JUNO award-nominated and Polaris Short-List album ‘Watin’)\, Leela Gilday (JUNO and CFMA award-winning album ‘North Star Calling’)\, Digging Roots (“SKODEN” Top 30 Alternative Radio\, JUNO award-winning album ‘Zhawenim’)\, SATE (JUNO award-nominated album ‘The Fool’\, 2022 Polaris Prize nominee)\, Royal Wood\, Cassie Dasilva (TikTok 1mm+ viral single “Unsolicited Contact”)\, Jules (“Before You Picked Her” #1 CBC\, Top 40 Alternative Rock Radio)\, Meghan Patrick (‘Grace & Grit’ CCMA Nominated Album of the Year)\, POESY (“Strange Little Girl” Top 40 Alternative Rock Radio) and Amanda Rheaume (‘The Spaces In Between’ #1 Album on the earshot! National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart\, CFMA award-winning album).  \nShe has also written and produced songs for children’s television shows including the theme songs for Remy and Boo (CBC/Universal Kids) and Dino Ranch (CBC/Disney) and episodic songs for Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go (Netflix). Syncs include commercial placements for Cadillac\, Virgin Mobile and Tim Horton’s and television shows/films including Station 19\, Private Eyes\, Offspring\, Bloodthirsty\, Kim’s Convenience\, Killjoys\, Degrassi and Hometown Hockey. In addition to these projects\, she has released her own music through several projects including Drowning Girl and Hill & The Sky Heroes. \nAs a multi-instrumentalist\, Kourkoutis has had the honour of accompanying artists such as Serena Ryder\, The Weeknd\, Martha and the Muffins and Tara Slone. For two seasons\, Hill also performed as guitarist in the house band for Scott Borchetta’s CTV series\, ‘The Launch’. \nAs a music video director\, she has directed videos for Mother Mother\, Sass Jordan\, Serena Ryder\, and Alex Cuba. \nIn 2022\, she became the first woman to be nominated and to win a JUNO for Recording Engineer of the Year. \nHill primarily works out of her private recording studio in Toronto\, The Lair. When taking a respite from studio duties\, Hill enjoys mentoring and teaching audio production for a variety of different music schools\, organizations\, universities\, and music festivals. Hill also serves on the Board of Directors for The Songwriters Association of Canada and sits on the Manitoba Music Advisory Committee. \n\n\n\n Mira Silvers\, Founder/CEO @ FORT Agency\, Co-Founder @ FEMINAE NOX\n \n \nBIO \n\n \nMelissa Vincent is a music journalist\, researcher\, and strategist based in Toronto. Her work broadly investigates questions of equity\, intimacy\, and community formation as it relates to music\, technology\, and culture. She’s been featured in Elle Canada\, Pitchfork\, Billboard\, NPR Music\, The Globe and Mail\, The Fader\, and Vice. In 2022\, she was nominated for the 7th annual Digital Publishing Awards by the National Media Awards Foundation in the category of “Best Science and Technology Storytelling.” She has moderated panels around the world\, and on a somewhat frequent basis\, CBC’s The National will ask her to talk about breaking music stories. In the past\, she’s led the strategy for content platforms operated by Blue Ant Media\, Universal Music Canada\, and Banger Films\, including producing a podcast an 8-part music docuseries on Netflix. She’s a Prism Prize juror\, a SOCAN Songwriting Prize Panelist\, and Polaris Prize jury foreperson and board member. She’s currently completing a graduate fellowship at the McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto. \n \nJess Huddleston is currently the Editorial Lead for Spotify Canada\, where she oversees a team of music curators who craft playlists and on-platform programming north of the border. Jess comes from a music journalism background — writing for Complex\, VICE\, CLASH and more before landing at MuchMusic and then CBC Music\, where she led a team of music journalists and hosted a music talk show called The Intro. With over 15 years in Canadian music media\, Jess is most passionate about shining a spotlight on emerging Canadian talent\, and helping to export those incredible sounds to other parts of the world. \nBIO \n \nAs a prominent figure in music\, Dani Deahl has been at the forefront of artist discovery and meaningful industry change for over a decade. She currently is a DJ\, producer\, and artist advocate. She developed the coverage for the intersection of music and technology for The Verge\, helmed YouTube series The Future of Music\, and is Governor for the Recording Academy Chicago chapter. \nWhen performing\, she crafts house sets that are technically savvy and explore her roots in Chicago’s storied music history through a contemporary lens. Her sound expands across tech house\, bright\, upbeat grooves\, chugging percussion\, and soul and disco-infusions. \nShe has a regular presence on Twitch with the flagship show Demo Drop and can also be found on Clubhouse\, where she runs the platform’s largest dance music club\, World of EDM. \nAs an artist herself\, Dani has released with labels like Dim Mak\, Monstercat\, Flamingo\, Cr2\, and Armada. She has also been the subject of two documentaries\, toured extensively across the globe\, played festivals like Spring Awakening\, Lollapalooza\, and EDC\, venues like Wrigley Field (with Fall Out Boy)\, hosted her own terrestrial radio show in Spain and the Canary Islands\, and has been an official Red Bull DJ. She has headlined with or been direct support for artists like Alison Wonderland\, Valentino Khan\, Deadmau5\, Diplo\, Steve Aoki\, NERVO\, LP Giobbi\, and countless others. As Diplo himself says: “She’s awesome.” \nDani also previously held editorial positions with NYLON Magazine and DJ Mag\, and she is the host of YouTube series The Future of Music\, which features stars like Charli XCX and Oak Felder\, producer for Kehlani and Demi Lovato. Her writing appears in countless publications like VICE\, Mixmag\, Festival Insider\, CNBC\, OCTOBER\, The Verge\, Insomniac\, and more. \nDani has been heralded for her impact in music by Music Business Worldwide\, Music Week\, Variety\, Billboard\, Yahoo\, Chicago Tribune\, and many others. She’s also a prominent expert and fierce advocate on the topic of gender equality in dance music\, with speaking engagements at TEDx\, Spotify for Artists\, Wallifornia\, Reeperbahn\, and more. \nIn 2020\, she partnered with Bandsintown and Twitter to launch Net.Werk\, a Twitch festival dedicated to underrepresented acts in dance. Featuring acts like Michael Brun\, Varien\, and GG Magree\, the festival’s viewership consistently outperformed competing Twitch festivals. \nAdditionally\, Dani has been a guest and expert voice for MSNBC and on podcasts like Reset\, Vergecast\, Switched on Pop\, Ari’s Take\, and more. \nAs of 2023\, Dani is also an elected Governor for the Recording Academy’s Chicago Chapter\, engaging in outreach and professional development for the music community. \n \nHill Kourkoutis is a JUNO Award-winning producer\, songwriter\, composer\, mixer\, recording engineer\, multi-instrumentalist\, artist\, and director. \nSpanning her career\, Hill has contributed either as producer\, mixer and/or songwriter on albums and singles for Aysanabee (“Nomads” #1 CBC Radio\, #1 Alternative Rock Radio\, Top 30 Canada Modern Rock Airplay\, JUNO award-nominated and Polaris Short-List album ‘Watin’)\, Leela Gilday (JUNO and CFMA award-winning album ‘North Star Calling’)\, Digging Roots (“SKODEN” Top 30 Alternative Radio\, JUNO award-winning album ‘Zhawenim’)\, SATE (JUNO award-nominated album ‘The Fool’\, 2022 Polaris Prize nominee)\, Royal Wood\, Cassie Dasilva (TikTok 1mm+ viral single “Unsolicited Contact”)\, Jules (“Before You Picked Her” #1 CBC\, Top 40 Alternative Rock Radio)\, Meghan Patrick (‘Grace & Grit’ CCMA Nominated Album of the Year)\, POESY (“Strange Little Girl” Top 40 Alternative Rock Radio) and Amanda Rheaume (‘The Spaces In Between’ #1 Album on the earshot! National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart\, CFMA award-winning album).  \nShe has also written and produced songs for children’s television shows including the theme songs for Remy and Boo (CBC/Universal Kids) and Dino Ranch (CBC/Disney) and episodic songs for Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go (Netflix). Syncs include commercial placements for Cadillac\, Virgin Mobile and Tim Horton’s and television shows/films including Station 19\, Private Eyes\, Offspring\, Bloodthirsty\, Kim’s Convenience\, Killjoys\, Degrassi and Hometown Hockey. In addition to these projects\, she has released her own music through several projects including Drowning Girl and Hill & The Sky Heroes. \nAs a multi-instrumentalist\, Kourkoutis has had the honour of accompanying artists such as Serena Ryder\, The Weeknd\, Martha and the Muffins and Tara Slone. For two seasons\, Hill also performed as guitarist in the house band for Scott Borchetta’s CTV series\, ‘The Launch’. \nAs a music video director\, she has directed videos for Mother Mother\, Sass Jordan\, Serena Ryder\, and Alex Cuba. \nIn 2022\, she became the first woman to be nominated and to win a JUNO for Recording Engineer of the Year. \nHill primarily works out of her private recording studio in Toronto\, The Lair. When taking a respite from studio duties\, Hill enjoys mentoring and teaching audio production for a variety of different music schools\, organizations\, universities\, and music festivals. Hill also serves on the Board of Directors for The Songwriters Association of Canada and sits on the Manitoba Music Advisory Committee. \n \nBIO \n11:15 AM – 12:15 PM\nGrowing a Grassroots Community\nNow more than ever\, artists have the tools to reach their audiences directly. But this wealth of tools\, platforms\, and techniques can overwhelm emerging artists looking to build meaningful connections with fans. How can artists effectively cut through the noise to grow and activate their communities both in person and online? \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Karen Bliss\, Music Trade Journalist\n \n \n Karen Bliss’ long career as a music journalist in Toronto includes 13 years as the Canadian correspondent for Billboard and more than a hundred articles for RollingStone.com. A freelance music journalist since her teens\, her work has also appeared in Variety\,  Pollstar\, Zoomer\, Venues Now\, Melody Maker\, NME\, Time\, and dozens more. She has interviewed thousands of artists\, including Kurt Cobain\, Eminem\, Eddie Vedder\, Taylor Swift\,  Lauryn Hill\, Robert Plant\, Jimmy Page\, Justin Timberlake\, Beyoncé\, Ed Sheeran\, Shania Twain\, Shawn Mendes\, Michael Bublé\, Britney Spears\, Metallica\, and Gwen Stefani. Among her other ventures\, she co-authored the book Music From Far and Wide: Celebrating 40 Years of the JUNO Awards. Karen was also a co-producer\, researcher and interviewer on the documentary Chasing Fortune\, about former INXS frontman JD Fortune. The past couple of years\, she worked on an investigative piece for Billboard on an alleged sexual predator in the Canadian music business.  TRIGGER WARNING: https://www.billboard.com/pro/canadian-radio-promoter-adrian-strong-sexual-predator/\n \n\n\n Erin Lowers\, Artist Partnerships\, North America @TikTok\n \n \nWith over ten years of experience in the music industry\, specifically in relation to music journalism and research\, digital content creation\, DSP playlisting and festival programming\, Erin has re-imagined the boundaries of where music can go. Paring her global reach with her community mindset\, Erin has spent the majority of her career pushing Canadian music to the forefront of every conversation\, while also ensuring that the essence of an story of an artist is upheld from beginning\, middle and end. Today\, Erin works on the North American Artist Partnerships team at TikTok\, combing her love for music discovery with the fast-pace – and limitless – world of technology. \n\n\n\n Josephine Cruz (aka Jayemkayem)\, DJ/Producer\n \n \nJosephine Cruz aka JAYEMKAYEM is a DJ\, radio host and music curator currently based in Toronto. Whether she’s making appearances at some of Toronto’s most high profile events; or traveling abroad to play such iconic venues as Le Bain in New York City\, the Echoplex in Los Angeles or Le Baron in Shanghai\, she’s constantly spreading good vibes and good times with her eclectic selections that span the genres of rap/trap\, R&B\, grime\, UK garage and beyond. She was a music journalist before ever stepping behind the decks\, so it makes sense that this Calgary transplant has become known for her progressive sets that have seen her play venues across the world—from Montreal to New York to Indonesia—as well as share the decks with such names as Venus X\, Virgil Abloh\, Stretch Armstrong\, Boi-1da and more; and open for such artists as Skepta\, Playboi Carti and AJ Tracey. She is also the co-founder of Toronto’s first pop-up radio station\, Istolethesoul FM. \n\n\n\n Seny Kassaye\, Agent @ Fort Agency\n \n \nBIO \n\n\n\n Alica Hall\, Executive Director\, Nia Centre for the Arts\n \n \nAlica Hall has been working at the intersection of art\, communications and community development for over a decade. As a leader with deep roots in the community\, she has served as the Co-Chair of Pride Toronto\, helping the organization expand its strategic and artistic infrastructure. She oversaw the expansion of the festival from 10-days to a month and led the development of the organization’s first strategic plan. Over the years\, Alica has formalized her practice as a curator through community based spaces and partnerships. Her curatorial practice is driven by a desire to explore identity and power\, excavate lesser-known stories and a commitment to expand visual narratives surrounding the Black experience. In 2018\, she took on the role of Executive Director at Nia Centre for the Arts\, a Toronto-based charity that supports and showcases arts from across the Black diaspora in Canada. In her time at the Centre\, she has curated their first Art Fair\, doubled the operating budget and raised $12-million in capital funding. In 2023\, Alica opened the doors of the newly renovated Nia Centre for the Arts: a 14\,000 sq. ft facility serving as Canada’s first professional\, multidisciplinary Black arts centre. Located in historic Little Jamaica\, the Centre is a gathering space for Black artists\, young creatives and community to showcase\, support and promote artistic traditions from Canada’s Black diaspora.  \n\n\n\n Sarah Kloboves\, Chartmetric\n \nBIO \n\n \n Karen Bliss’ long career as a music journalist in Toronto includes 13 years as the Canadian correspondent for Billboard and more than a hundred articles for RollingStone.com. A freelance music journalist since her teens\, her work has also appeared in Variety\,  Pollstar\, Zoomer\, Venues Now\, Melody Maker\, NME\, Time\, and dozens more. She has interviewed thousands of artists\, including Kurt Cobain\, Eminem\, Eddie Vedder\, Taylor Swift\,  Lauryn Hill\, Robert Plant\, Jimmy Page\, Justin Timberlake\, Beyoncé\, Ed Sheeran\, Shania Twain\, Shawn Mendes\, Michael Bublé\, Britney Spears\, Metallica\, and Gwen Stefani. Among her other ventures\, she co-authored the book Music From Far and Wide: Celebrating 40 Years of the JUNO Awards. Karen was also a co-producer\, researcher and interviewer on the documentary Chasing Fortune\, about former INXS frontman JD Fortune. The past couple of years\, she worked on an investigative piece for Billboard on an alleged sexual predator in the Canadian music business.  TRIGGER WARNING: https://www.billboard.com/pro/canadian-radio-promoter-adrian-strong-sexual-predator/\n \nWith over ten years of experience in the music industry\, specifically in relation to music journalism and research\, digital content creation\, DSP playlisting and festival programming\, Erin has re-imagined the boundaries of where music can go. Paring her global reach with her community mindset\, Erin has spent the majority of her career pushing Canadian music to the forefront of every conversation\, while also ensuring that the essence of an story of an artist is upheld from beginning\, middle and end. Today\, Erin works on the North American Artist Partnerships team at TikTok\, combing her love for music discovery with the fast-pace – and limitless – world of technology. \n \nJosephine Cruz aka JAYEMKAYEM is a DJ\, radio host and music curator currently based in Toronto. Whether she’s making appearances at some of Toronto’s most high profile events; or traveling abroad to play such iconic venues as Le Bain in New York City\, the Echoplex in Los Angeles or Le Baron in Shanghai\, she’s constantly spreading good vibes and good times with her eclectic selections that span the genres of rap/trap\, R&B\, grime\, UK garage and beyond. She was a music journalist before ever stepping behind the decks\, so it makes sense that this Calgary transplant has become known for her progressive sets that have seen her play venues across the world—from Montreal to New York to Indonesia—as well as share the decks with such names as Venus X\, Virgil Abloh\, Stretch Armstrong\, Boi-1da and more; and open for such artists as Skepta\, Playboi Carti and AJ Tracey. She is also the co-founder of Toronto’s first pop-up radio station\, Istolethesoul FM. \n \nBIO \n \nAlica Hall has been working at the intersection of art\, communications and community development for over a decade. As a leader with deep roots in the community\, she has served as the Co-Chair of Pride Toronto\, helping the organization expand its strategic and artistic infrastructure. She oversaw the expansion of the festival from 10-days to a month and led the development of the organization’s first strategic plan. Over the years\, Alica has formalized her practice as a curator through community based spaces and partnerships. Her curatorial practice is driven by a desire to explore identity and power\, excavate lesser-known stories and a commitment to expand visual narratives surrounding the Black experience. In 2018\, she took on the role of Executive Director at Nia Centre for the Arts\, a Toronto-based charity that supports and showcases arts from across the Black diaspora in Canada. In her time at the Centre\, she has curated their first Art Fair\, doubled the operating budget and raised $12-million in capital funding. In 2023\, Alica opened the doors of the newly renovated Nia Centre for the Arts: a 14\,000 sq. ft facility serving as Canada’s first professional\, multidisciplinary Black arts centre. Located in historic Little Jamaica\, the Centre is a gathering space for Black artists\, young creatives and community to showcase\, support and promote artistic traditions from Canada’s Black diaspora.  \nBIO \n12:30 – 1:30 PM\nLeadership Inspiration Series\nIn keeping with WIM Canada’s focus on leadership in 2024\, we’re bringing together TikTok’s Kat Kernaghan and SiriusXM’s Michelle Mearns in a conversation with journalist and culture critic\, A. Harmony. Enjoy a grab’n’go lunch as these trailblazers talk career path\, tips\, tricks and inspiration for leadership in today’s music industry in Canada. \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n • Moderator: A. Harmony – Freelance Journalist & Culture Critic\n \nBIO \n\n\n\n • Kat Kernaghan – Head of Music\, TikTok Canada\n \n \nHaving dedicated her post-secondary studies to pursuing 2 degrees (a degree in Media Studies & a degree from the Ivey School of Business)\, Katrina “Kat” Kernaghan began her career in live music\, working at Corus Entertainment. From there\, Kat landed a job with Wax Records as Head of Marketing\, while also serving as the day-to-day manager for indie-pop artist bülow.Kat joined the TikTok Canada team in March 2021 as Label & Industry Partnerships Manager\, leading several projects including the re-launch of MuchMusic\, coordinating two TikTok Tailgates with the NHL\, and serving as the go-to-market lead for TikTok’s Ticketmaster integration.In August of 2022\, Kat moved into the role of Head of Music for Canada\, leading the country’s music operations team. \n\n\n\n • Michelle Mearns – Vice President\, Programming & Operations at SiriusXM Canada\n \n \nAs Vice President\, Programming & Operations at SiriusXM Canada\, Michelle oversees all aspects of programming and network operations\, including sports\, talk\, comedy and music groups. She also oversees SiriusXM’s repeater systems\, broadcast facilities and enterprise operations. \nWith over 20 years of experience in streaming\, podcasts\, digital marketing and partnership development in music and entertainment\, Michelle previously led growth initiatives\, strategy and content marketing at Apple (Canada). Prior to that\, she led all marketing and communications activity for both Twitter Canada and Facebook Canada. She was also previously the marketing and communications lead for CBC Music\, and worked on promoting artists as part of Universal Music Canada’s Island/Def Jam division. \n\nBIO \n \nHaving dedicated her post-secondary studies to pursuing 2 degrees (a degree in Media Studies & a degree from the Ivey School of Business)\, Katrina “Kat” Kernaghan began her career in live music\, working at Corus Entertainment. From there\, Kat landed a job with Wax Records as Head of Marketing\, while also serving as the day-to-day manager for indie-pop artist bülow.Kat joined the TikTok Canada team in March 2021 as Label & Industry Partnerships Manager\, leading several projects including the re-launch of MuchMusic\, coordinating two TikTok Tailgates with the NHL\, and serving as the go-to-market lead for TikTok’s Ticketmaster integration.In August of 2022\, Kat moved into the role of Head of Music for Canada\, leading the country’s music operations team. \n \nAs Vice President\, Programming & Operations at SiriusXM Canada\, Michelle oversees all aspects of programming and network operations\, including sports\, talk\, comedy and music groups. She also oversees SiriusXM’s repeater systems\, broadcast facilities and enterprise operations. \nWith over 20 years of experience in streaming\, podcasts\, digital marketing and partnership development in music and entertainment\, Michelle previously led growth initiatives\, strategy and content marketing at Apple (Canada). Prior to that\, she led all marketing and communications activity for both Twitter Canada and Facebook Canada. She was also previously the marketing and communications lead for CBC Music\, and worked on promoting artists as part of Universal Music Canada’s Island/Def Jam division. \n1:45 – 2:45 PM\nPress & Publicity: Launching with Impact\n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n MODERATOR: Noreen Hamid\, Creative Producer & PR Director\n \n \nNoreen Hamid is a Publicity Director\, Creative Producer\, and Consultant with over 10 years of experience leading publicity campaigns for music artists\, labels\, international music award shows\, TV series\, films\, and high-profile events. She also produces television series\, music and entertainment news\, and special events — from award shows and red carpets\, to album release showcases and art exhibits\, and everything in between. After dedicated years with MuchMusic\, MTV\, E!\, the Toronto International Film Festival\, eTalk\, and much more\, Noreen started her own boutique company\, utilizing her passion and combined experiences in Production\, PR\, and Strategy\, and prioritizing work with artists from marginalized communities. An expert in Hip Hop\, R&B\, Afrobeats\, and Pop music publicity\, she works with several artists\, labels\, and projects internationally\, including Megan Thee Stallion\, Young Thug\, Mary J. Blige\, Gunna\, Charlotte Cardin\, TOBi\, Ralph\, Ruby Waters\, IDMAN\, RCA Records\, Arista Records\, 300 Entertainment\, Fool’s Gold\, the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave\, and as a consultant on several upcoming series and artists in development. Currently\, Noreen‘s work touches Canada\, the US\, the UK\, France\, Ghana\, Nigeria\, India\, parts of the Middle East\, and beyond. \n\n\n\n Claire Julian\, Director of Publicity\, Nettwerk\n \n \nClaire Julian serves as the Director of Publicity at Nettwerk Music Group\, leveraging over 16 years of expertise in music publicity. In her current role\, she spearheads global press campaigns for acclaimed artists such as SYML\, Wild Rivers\, Vacations\, Miya Folick\, Matt Maltese\, and NEIL FRANCES. She also helps oversee Nettwerk’s international team of publicists. \nClaire’s journey in the music industry began at MSO PR (now SRO) in Los Angeles\, where she provided valuable assistance on campaigns for iconic artists\, including David Bowie\, Jane’s Addiction\, Dolly Parton\, Slash\, and Ozzy Osbourne\, and for renowned festival clients like Lollapalooza and Coachella. Driven by her passion\, Claire relocated to Brooklyn during the peak of the 2010s blog era. There\, she collaborated with emerging indie bands like Sea Wolf and Hockey at a boutique agency\, overseeing tour press and national campaigns. She joined Nettwerk’s New York office in 2014 as a Tour Publicist\, rising to the position of Director\, now based in the Los Angeles office. \n\n\n\n Nadia Ali\, PR Founder and CEO\n \n \nNadia Ali PR Founder and CEO\, Nadia Ali is a seasoned music and lifestyle publicist from New York who is dedicated to developing up and coming and established artists and talent via results-driven and carefully tailored press campaigns. Nadia most recently contributed her skills\, creativity and passion for music to her work as Head of Publicity at Arista Records\, working with artists such as Måneskin\, Paul Russell\, Mike Posner\, Bishop Briggs\, and UPSAHL. Previously holding prominent positions at MTV\, Warner Records\, Liz Rosenberg Media\, and Island Records\, Nadia has over 17 years of experience working on strategic press campaigns for established artists including Madonna\, Cher\, Fleetwood Mac\, Stevie Nicks\, Florence + The Machine\, Tove Lo\, and A R I Z O N A\, high profile talent including Gigi Hadid and Eden Grinshpan\, and nonprofit organizations such as Nvak Foundation/Nvak Collective and The Miraculous Love Kids. \n\n\n\n Carly Lewis\, Journalist\n \n \nCarly Lewis is a journalist living in Toronto.Her work has appeared at The New York Times\, Vanity Fair\, New York Magazine\, Wired\, Vulture\, The Cut\, The Atlantic\, Elle\, The Globe and Mail\, The Walrus\, The Guardian\, Interview Magazine\, The Fader\, Pitchfork\, the Toronto Star\, Hazlitt\, Spin\, Maisonneuve and Maclean’s. \nHer work has been recognized by the National Magazine Awards and Digital Publishing Awards.” \n\n \nNoreen Hamid is a Publicity Director\, Creative Producer\, and Consultant with over 10 years of experience leading publicity campaigns for music artists\, labels\, international music award shows\, TV series\, films\, and high-profile events. She also produces television series\, music and entertainment news\, and special events — from award shows and red carpets\, to album release showcases and art exhibits\, and everything in between. After dedicated years with MuchMusic\, MTV\, E!\, the Toronto International Film Festival\, eTalk\, and much more\, Noreen started her own boutique company\, utilizing her passion and combined experiences in Production\, PR\, and Strategy\, and prioritizing work with artists from marginalized communities. An expert in Hip Hop\, R&B\, Afrobeats\, and Pop music publicity\, she works with several artists\, labels\, and projects internationally\, including Megan Thee Stallion\, Young Thug\, Mary J. Blige\, Gunna\, Charlotte Cardin\, TOBi\, Ralph\, Ruby Waters\, IDMAN\, RCA Records\, Arista Records\, 300 Entertainment\, Fool’s Gold\, the Oscar-nominated documentary The Cave\, and as a consultant on several upcoming series and artists in development. Currently\, Noreen’s work touches Canada\, the US\, the UK\, France\, Ghana\, Nigeria\, India\, parts of the Middle East\, and beyond. \n \nClaire Julian serves as the Director of Publicity at Nettwerk Music Group\, leveraging over 16 years of expertise in music publicity. In her current role\, she spearheads global press campaigns for acclaimed artists such as SYML\, Wild Rivers\, Vacations\, Miya Folick\, Matt Maltese\, and NEIL FRANCES. She also helps oversee Nettwerk’s international team of publicists. \nClaire’s journey in the music industry began at MSO PR (now SRO) in Los Angeles\, where she provided valuable assistance on campaigns for iconic artists\, including David Bowie\, Jane’s Addiction\, Dolly Parton\, Slash\, and Ozzy Osbourne\, and for renowned festival clients like Lollapalooza and Coachella. Driven by her passion\, Claire relocated to Brooklyn during the peak of the 2010s blog era. There\, she collaborated with emerging indie bands like Sea Wolf and Hockey at a boutique agency\, overseeing tour press and national campaigns. She joined Nettwerk’s New York office in 2014 as a Tour Publicist\, rising to the position of Director\, now based in the Los Angeles office. \n \nNadia Ali PR Founder and CEO\, Nadia Ali is a seasoned music and lifestyle publicist from New York who is dedicated to developing up and coming and established artists and talent via results-driven and carefully tailored press campaigns. Nadia most recently contributed her skills\, creativity and passion for music to her work as Head of Publicity at Arista Records\, working with artists such as Måneskin\, Paul Russell\, Mike Posner\, Bishop Briggs\, and UPSAHL. Previously holding prominent positions at MTV\, Warner Records\, Liz Rosenberg Media\, and Island Records\, Nadia has over 17 years of experience working on strategic press campaigns for established artists including Madonna\, Cher\, Fleetwood Mac\, Stevie Nicks\, Florence + The Machine\, Tove Lo\, and A R I Z O N A\, high profile talent including Gigi Hadid and Eden Grinshpan\, and nonprofit organizations such as Nvak Foundation/Nvak Collective and The Miraculous Love Kids. \n \nCarly Lewis is a journalist living in Toronto.Her work has appeared at The New York Times\, Vanity Fair\, New York Magazine\, Wired\, Vulture\, The Cut\, The Atlantic\, Elle\, The Globe and Mail\, The Walrus\, The Guardian\, Interview Magazine\, The Fader\, Pitchfork\, the Toronto Star\, Hazlitt\, Spin\, Maisonneuve and Maclean’s. \nHer work has been recognized by the National Magazine Awards and Digital Publishing Awards.” \n3 – 4 PM\nGlobal Develoment Case Studies: USA\nDeveloping an artist from local success to international readiness is no easy feat\, especially in a global market that is constantly changing and growing. These professionals in artist development and talent booking will share case studies from their experience\, highlighting how they helped grow artists to international recognition. \nPRESENTED BY CIMA \n \nPANELISTS\n\n\n • MODERATOR: Helen Britton\, CEO& President @ Six Shooter Inc.\n \n \n As a business owner\, artist manager and industry stakeholder for over twenty years\, Helen Britton’s approach to the music business has focused on developing the infrastructure to support long-term\, multi-dimensional artist careers. CEO and President of Six Shooter Inc.\, the management division of Six Shooter Records\, Britton oversees a roster that includes Tanya Tagaq\, July Talk\, Whitehorse\, The Dead South\, Nyssa and William Prince. With perseverance and integrity\, Britton has built Six Shooter Inc. as a destination for internationally renowned artists whose creative pursuits often extend beyond the standard role of musician or performer. In addition to her artist management work\, Britton also represents Tanya Tagaq for live booking (Canada and Europe)\, speaking engagements\, book publishing and as Executive Producer for an upcoming documentary and a stage production. On the CARAS/MusiCounts board\, Britton is also engaged in developing and supporting initiatives towards a more equitable\, accessible music business for all.\n \n\n\n • Tao-Ming Lao\, Founder @ Blue Crane Agency / Agent @ Paquin Artists\n \n \nTao-Ming Lau is the Founder/Agent at Blue Crane Agency (@bluecraneagency)\, a music booking agency seeking to prioritize women\, artists of colour\, and LGBTQ2S+ musicians in North America and abroad\, and agent at Paquin Artists Agency. The Blue Crane roster was founded with and includes artists like Priyanka\, Zaki Ibrahim\, Shay Lia\, Clerel\, DJ NDN (Co-Founder of A Tribe Called Red)\, Vivek Shraya\, BAMBII\, and more. The agency has programmed festivals such as Pride Toronto and curated events for Nuit Blanche\, Royal Ontario Museum\, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)\, and more. Tao is a board director at Polaris Music Prize and Canadian Live Music Association and was chosen as a Rising Star in Toronto Life Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Torontonians of 2018.  Previously\, she was at Chicago-based touring agency Billions\, Universal Music Canada\, and got her start with Carly Rae Jepsen’s management and label in Vancouver\, on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish)\, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations\, where she was born and raised. Tao is a queer woman of colour seeking to open more doors and establish better infrastructure for underrepresented talent. \n\n\n\n • Michelle Szeto\, Vice President\, Management Division @ Loft Entertainment\n \n \nMichelle Szeto got her first taste of the entertainment industry at an early age in her hometown of Hong Kong\, working in concert production for international superstars such as Oasis\, Celine Dion\, Boyz II Men\, Sean Lennon and Prodigy. \nDuring her 17-year tenure at Paquin Entertainment Group\, Michelle held various roles throughout the company\, including publicity\, tour marketing\, and artist management. \nToday\, in her role as Vice President\, Management Division\, at Loft Entertainment (in partnership with Paquin)\, Michelle personally manages award-winning artists and songwriter: Donovan Woods\, Wild Rivers\, Lindsay Ell\, Devan and Babygirl. \n\n\n\n • Elizabeth Phipps\, Senior Director of Marketing @ AWAL\n \n \nElizabeth got her start in the industry in 2010 with her Toronto-based music blog\, Torontette\, which showcased Canadian bands\, artist interviews\, show reviews and more. In 2011 she pivoted her passion for music into a career\, joining the Sony Music Canada marketing team. 2024 marks five years since she helped establish AWAL’s Toronto office and in this time\, she has cultivated a dynamic roster of Canadian independent artists to present on the global stage vis-a-vis AWAL’s modern business model. Most notably in 2023\, Elizabeth signed The Beaches to a worldwide AWAL Recordings deal\, one that provides the band with all the resources of a global label\, while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music. \n\n \n As a business owner\, artist manager and industry stakeholder for over twenty years\, Helen Britton’s approach to the music business has focused on developing the infrastructure to support long-term\, multi-dimensional artist careers. CEO and President of Six Shooter Inc.\, the management division of Six Shooter Records\, Britton oversees a roster that includes Tanya Tagaq\, July Talk\, Whitehorse\, The Dead South\, Nyssa and William Prince. With perseverance and integrity\, Britton has built Six Shooter Inc. as a destination for internationally renowned artists whose creative pursuits often extend beyond the standard role of musician or performer. In addition to her artist management work\, Britton also represents Tanya Tagaq for live booking (Canada and Europe)\, speaking engagements\, book publishing and as Executive Producer for an upcoming documentary and a stage production. On the CARAS/MusiCounts board\, Britton is also engaged in developing and supporting initiatives towards a more equitable\, accessible music business for all.\n \nTao-Ming Lau is the Founder/Agent at Blue Crane Agency (@bluecraneagency)\, a music booking agency seeking to prioritize women\, artists of colour\, and LGBTQ2S+ musicians in North America and abroad\, and agent at Paquin Artists Agency. The Blue Crane roster was founded with and includes artists like Priyanka\, Zaki Ibrahim\, Shay Lia\, Clerel\, DJ NDN (Co-Founder of A Tribe Called Red)\, Vivek Shraya\, BAMBII\, and more. The agency has programmed festivals such as Pride Toronto and curated events for Nuit Blanche\, Royal Ontario Museum\, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)\, and more. Tao is a board director at Polaris Music Prize and Canadian Live Music Association and was chosen as a Rising Star in Toronto Life Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Torontonians of 2018.  Previously\, she was at Chicago-based touring agency Billions\, Universal Music Canada\, and got her start with Carly Rae Jepsen’s management and label in Vancouver\, on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)\, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish)\, and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations\, where she was born and raised. Tao is a queer woman of colour seeking to open more doors and establish better infrastructure for underrepresented talent. \n \nMichelle Szeto got her first taste of the entertainment industry at an early age in her hometown of Hong Kong\, working in concert production for international superstars such as Oasis\, Celine Dion\, Boyz II Men\, Sean Lennon and Prodigy. \nDuring her 17-year tenure at Paquin Entertainment Group\, Michelle held various roles throughout the company\, including publicity\, tour marketing\, and artist management. \nToday\, in her role as Vice President\, Management Division\, at Loft Entertainment (in partnership with Paquin)\, Michelle personally manages award-winning artists and songwriter: Donovan Woods\, Wild Rivers\, Lindsay Ell\, Devan and Babygirl. \n \nElizabeth got her start in the industry in 2010 with her Toronto-based music blog\, Torontette\, which showcased Canadian bands\, artist interviews\, show reviews and more. In 2011 she pivoted her passion for music into a career\, joining the Sony Music Canada marketing team. 2024 marks five years since she helped establish AWAL’s Toronto office and in this time\, she has cultivated a dynamic roster of Canadian independent artists to present on the global stage vis-a-vis AWAL’s modern business model. Most notably in 2023\, Elizabeth signed The Beaches to a worldwide AWAL Recordings deal\, one that provides the band with all the resources of a global label\, while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music. \nThe Afterparty\n6:00 pm – 🥳\nClose off the Summit with a celebration at Bar Mordecai!  \nEnjoy DJ’d vibes and cocktails sponsored by Makers Mark\, including a complimentary welcome cocktail by award-winning mixologist Christina Veira in the heart of Toronto’s Dundas West Village.  \nAddress: 1272 Dundas St WDoors: 6pmEntry: All are welcome! \n \nLocation & Hotel\nEvent Location\nProgramming for both days will be held in Downtown Toronto at Allied Music Centre: \n178 Victoria St\,Toronto\, ONM5B 1T7 \nalliedmusiccentre.mhrth.com\n \nHotel\nTraveling from out of town? WIMC has partnered with The Chelsea Hotel to offer a discounted block of rooms for your convenience. \nBook using this link \nOr use the Group Code:  WIM030524 URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/2024-international-womens-week-summit/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251019T154639Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T223755Z UID:10000005-1760860800-1760893200@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:2026 Honours Jury DESCRIPTION:WIM CANADA HONOURS JURY\n \n Sign up as a Juror\n \nIntake for the 2026 Honours Jury is now closed.\nTo assist in the fair and transparent process of reviewing submissions for Women in Music Canada Honours cateogries\, we will engage aproximately 30 jurors from across the Canadian music industry. \nJurors wil be asked to consider excellence demonstrated through Industry success and artistic merit in adjudication\, in addition to thoughtful demonstration of how the Honour would help advance the applicant’s career. The WIMC jury team reserves the right to recommend a recategorization of a submission to the WIMC Director if they feel the applicant is more suited to a different Honour. All WIMC Honours Committee decisions are final. \nIn advance of passing materials along to the Juries\, each submission will be screened upon completion to ensure that it is complete and meets all eligibility requirements. Any submissions that are incomplete or ineligible will be disqualified.  \nEach jury member will be asked to adjudicate one to three categories (depending on the application numbers for each). Categories are assigned based on the jurors experience with care to not be reviewing categories in which they have conflict of interest.  \nJurors will be paid a $150 honourarium for their time.  \nThank you to the 2025 Honours Award Jury members \n\nAmée Hill\nAlexa Boyle\nAlyssa Paterson\nAmellia Curran\nBronwin Parks\nDanica Bansie\nDevi Ekanand\nIskwé\nKaren Novak\nKathryn Hamilton\nKelsey Assad\nKim Fry\nLari R Lopez\nLisa La Rocca\nMaïa Davies\nMar Sellars\nMary Georgio\nMorgan Sutherland\nMoreen Hamid\nOla Mazuca\nPaquel (Rocky) Mann\nRoseline Rousseau-Gagnon\nSandy Scofield\nSavanah WEllman\nSherry Sinclaire\nTissa Rahim\nZara Abbasi\n\nPlease note: All jurors review categories in which they did not have conflicts with nominees. If a juor is noiminated\, they will not be assigned to review and vote on that category.  \nAll honours Categories are reviewed by a jury of peers and then reviwed by the Women in Music Canada Honours Committee. All WIMC Honours Committee decisions are final. URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/2026-honours-jury/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://womeninmusic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Honours-Jury-Header-1662bbce.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251019T144254Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T092258Z UID:10000004-1760860800-1760893200@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:Summit Honours Candidate - 2026 DESCRIPTION: URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/summit-honours-candidate-2026/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251019T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T080621 CREATED:20251019T142306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T122248Z UID:10000003-1760860800-1760893200@womeninmusic.ca SUMMARY:WIM Canada With Honours - 2026 Competition DESCRIPTION:WIM Canada With Honours – 2026\nThe Women in Music Canada Honours program is designed to celebrate and support women and gender diverse Canadian innovators and creators who have outstanding success in their field in the eligibility year (December 2024 through December 2025 for annual based categories).  \nNominations must be submitted via the WIMCanada nomination form by the deadline (Friday\, November 28\, 2025\, at 11:59 p.m. PST). Nominations may be submitted by the potential recipient or another Canadian colleague. Only one nomination is required to be considered. If multiple nominations are received for the same individual\, they will be combined into a single nomination for review by the jury. \nRecipients will be announced at the Women in Music Canada Honours event on March 5\, 2026.   \nWIM Canada values diversity\, equity and inclusion\, and welcomed applications from innovators and creators  from diverse backgrounds. \n \n Submit Honours Candidate 2026\n \nPlease select the Submit Honours Candidate 2026 button above to complete your nomination.  \nVoting ends in: \n Days Hours Minutes Seconds URL:https://womeninmusic.ca/event/wim-canada-with-honours-2026-competition/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR