Contact Us

Sean McManus
Executive Director
P: 204.975.5191

Sean joined Manitoba Music in 2002 as the first training coordinator and returned in 2007 after a stint in Toronto. He is a graduate of Brandon University School of Music and has a Masters degree in Musicology/Ethnomusicology from York University. Sean has taught music and theatre, and toured with the folk band the Dust Poets for 10 years. At Manitoba Music, Sean developed training programs, expanded international export and market development, and created business development programs. He sits on several local and national creative industry boards and advisory committees.

Andrea Davis
Membership & Administrative Coordinator
P: 204.942.8650

Andrea joined the team in 2015. She previously spent two summers working for the Winnipeg Folk Festival and is currently a volunteer board member of Rainbow Trout Music Festival. She holds a BA from the University of Manitoba and participated in the Arts Administration stream of ACI Manitoba’s Youth Mentorship Program. Talk to her about joining Manitoba Music or renewing your membership, New Music Night, Open Mic Night, your new music releases, if you need some help with your online profile, and whenever you’re not quite sure who you should be connecting with.

Claire Boning
Program Assistant
P: 204.942.8650

Claire Boning joined the Manitoba Music team in 2016 to help maintain our program admin services, live music listings, and more as the program assistant. She brings with her years of experience doing clerical, reception, and administrative work with Winnipeg companies, including two law firms. You’ll find her at the front desk during regular office hours.

Ila Barker
Indigenous Music Development Coordinator (Term)
P: 204.942.8650

Ila will be taking on the Indigenous Music Development Program Coordinator position while Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais is on mat leave.  Barker has been a mainstay on the local scene, gaining attention as a singer/songwriter after winning the NCI Jam in 2011, charting on the Indigenous Music Countdown, and hitting festival stages and venues around Manitoba and across the country. Barker is a recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution, and has gained a variety of experience in the creative industries in recent years. Contact her for more information about the Indigenous Music Development Program.

Jacques Richer
Coordonnateur du développement de la musique francophone /
Francophone Music Development Coordinator
P: 204.975.1299

Jacques joined Manitoba Music in 2018. Richer is no stranger to the local music scene. He’s been playing music locally for two decades, currently as a member of punk rock outfit, Screaming at Traffic, which was recently signed to UK indie label Little Rocket Records. He has spent time booking shows, DIY tours, and press for bands from all over North America. He’s also built up his marketing and admin chops, most recently at a law office. Contact him for more info about Francophone Music Program projects, Rame à la recontre, and the Francophone music communities in Western Canada.

Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais (Mat Leave)
Indigenous Music Development Coordinator
P: 204.975.0284

Shaneen is a multi-award-winning journalist who’s been on Canada’s media scene for more than 15 years. She’s also a proud wife, mother, and foster mother. She worked at CTV News Winnipeg and her stories have aired on CTV Newsnet/News Channel, CTV National News, and CNN. She also worked many years as a correspondent at APTN National News and garnered attention for her award-winning series about The Sacred Sundance. She is very proud of her latest work, Breaching the Sacred—a 22-minute piece showcasing the tragic reality of Indigenous women living with addictions and using while pregnant. Shaneen is well known across the country and abroad and is dedicated to promoting up and coming Indigenous talent. She was honoured to win first place for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge in 2008 for her play, Notay Kiskintamowin “Wanting to Know”, the same year she was named a National Aboriginal Role Model by the Governor General of Canada and graduated from the University of Winnipeg. A highly sought-after master of ceremonies, event planner, promoter and speaker, Shaneen aspires to continue working with Indigenous Elders, youth, women, and artists and continue to share information that should be of importance to all Canadians. Contact her for more information about the Indigenous Music Development Program.

Elise Roller
Professional Development Coordinator
P: 204.975.5188

Elise joined the team in 2017. She has been actively involved in the Canadian music scene for nearly a decade, first beginning in Alberta with her solo project, then joining touring rock outfit Go For The Eyes. From Calgary, she began interning remotely for Pipe & Hat Music Group in 2013, which ultimately led to her move to Manitoba in 2015. While contributing to the development of PHMG’s entire roster, Roller headed artist and community development branch, Flint/Fire, managing Victoria’s psych-rock band Fever Feel, and programming Pride Winnipeg’s festival main stage. For the past six years, Roller has booked and tour managed a number of Canadian acts. In addition to her industry experience, she can be seen tearing up the stage as the front person of heavy metal grunge band, Solhounds. Contact her to set up a one-on-one consult about your music career, if you have questions about music business basics, and about workshops, January Music Meeting, and the Resource Centre.

Rachel Stone
Operations & Communications Manager
P: 204.975.5190

Rachel has been involved in Manitoba’s music industry in one way, shape or form for over 25 years. She has worked at Manitoba Music in communications and membership under different titles since 2002, and participated in a number of marketing committees, including BreakOut West, JUNO Host Committee, and 2017 Canada Games. Rachel previously worked at Stylus Magazine, West End Cultural Centre, Uptown Magazine, Ms. Purdy's, and volunteered at CKUW 95.9 FM, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and more. Talk to her if you want to know more about Manitoba Music’s partnership opportunities, media inquiries, membership questions, websites, communications and publicity, social media and advertising, the song of the week, streaming radio, music news, and houseplants.