Sean McManus to Step Into New Role as Manitoba Music's Executive Director
Manitoba Music is pleased to announce that Sean McManus will take on a new role as executive director in January 2015. McManus has been with Manitoba Music for seven years in different positions, including program manager and training coordinator.
"Sean has a wealth of experience in the music industry on both a local and international scale and a long history with our association as an innovative, creative, and strong leader. Working closely with our membership and industry stakeholders over the years, he has helped to develop many of our key programs. Sean's vision, passion, and experience make him a natural choice to guide Manitoba Music into a new era of continued growth and will provide a seamless transition for the organization," says Manitoba Music's president, Paul Jordan.
McManus first joined the Manitoba Music staff in 2002 as training coordinator, helping to establish the professional development program and the Music Industry Resource Centre. A graduate of Brandon University School of Music, Sean moved to Toronto to get his Masters degree in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from York University. He has taught music and theatre to students at all levels, from elementary to undergraduate. He served as a director of both the Brandon Folk Music & Art Festival and the Brandon Jazz Festival, and also played in the band Dust Poets. In 2007, McManus returned to Manitoba Music in the training coordinator position he originated before becoming program manager in 2009, where he has helped to secure increased funding for Manitoba Music's programs, foster international expansion in the export development programs, and create and implement new industry development programs that serve Manitoba's music industry and artist entrepreneurs. In 2014, McManus served on the Winnipeg JUNO Host Committee and as the chair of the host committee for BreakOut West and the Western Canadian Music Awards.
"This is an exciting time in the music industry and I'm thrilled for this opportunity to lead the fantastic team at Manitoba Music and with our talented and creative membership, help our industry continue to find success" says McManus.
McManus replaces Sara Stasiuk, who will step down at the end of December after 13 years with Manitoba Music