Manitoba Music
Meet the Catalyst Speakers & Hosts
Catalyst Music Conference features some stellar speakers and hosts, including industry pros and artists, sharing their expertise and guidance throughout the virtual event, March 3-6. Get to know them a little better and stay tuned for more...
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Adam Lewis, Planetary Group
Adam Lewis heads Planetary Group, an artist development and promotions firm based out of Los Angeles that focuses on helping new and upcoming artists be heard and discovered through radio and online exposure in the US and Canada. Recently Adam has worked with such acts as Eels, The Cribs, Helena Deland, Arlo Parks, Lime Cordiale, Soccer Mommy, Courtney Barnett, Cate Le Bon, Fitz & The Tantrums, and Portugal, The Man. In addition Adam also currently handles all publicity, promotion and media buying for Great Northeast Productions. Prior to Planetary, Adam was the Northeast Sales and Promotion Manager for TVT Records, working with Sevendust, Guided By Voices, The Black Crowes and Snoop Dogg.
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Aileen Valencia, Reservoir
Aileen Valencia serves as Reservoir’s Director of Synch and Marketing, focusing on creative pitching for film, TV, and trailers. Since joining the company in 2018, she has worked closely with music supervisors in facilitating placements of Reservoir copyrights with projects for major studios and networks. Prior to joining Reservoir, she spent seven years at Sony Music’s SyncShop as Associate Director of Film & TV Music, following stints at Red Bull and Warner/Chappell.
Andrew Sannie, The Lytics/BPM Facilitator
Andrew Sannie is a Canadian creative and business owner, as well as a member of acclaimed Canadian hip hop group, The Lytics. Andrew is also a co-founder of Canadian based experiential marketing and consultation company, Grape Experiential. In his personal time, Andrew works with several community groups and non-profits contributing to executive boards of several organizations across the country.
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Anthony Sannie, Anthony OKS
Anthony Sannie is a musician in the Canadian hip-hop group, The Lytics and is currently working on his second EP as a solo artist. Within his music career, Anthony has performed the world over, collaborated with the Beastie Boys’ Mike D, and shared the stage with legendary artists like Nas and The Roots. In 2018, Anthony and his business partners founded Grape Experiential, a culture-building and activation-based marketing company committed to bringing brands to life through immersive experiences.
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Crystal, Shawanda, New Sun Music/True North Records
Crystal Shawanda is an Ojibway/Odawa/Potawatomi artist with True North Records, from the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. She began singing when she 3, and recorded her first album in Nashville when she was 13. A multiple Juno Nominee and winner, CCMA winner, Canadian radio music awards winner, and multiple winner of the APCMA’s. Making the switch several years ago from country to blues, she has had multiple Maple Blues awards nominations, and her album “Churchhouse Blues” stayed on the Roots Music Report charts for 36 weeks. Crystal Shawanda is the highest charting Indigenous artist, in the Billboard BDS Era, and is the highest charting Canadian female artist for a solo performance, on American country radio, to date. Crystal is also a producer and the CEO of New Sun Music, the only Indigenous owned record label to chart a song, on mainstream radio. She has also been a board member of Nike N7 since 2008, which has granted millions of dollars to Indigenous youth across Canada and America.
Debbie Patterson, Artistic Director of Sick + Twisted Theatre
Debbie Patterson is a playwright, director and actor. Trained at the National Theatre School of Canada, she is a founder of Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR), served as Artistic Director for Popular Theatre Alliance of MB, Theatre Ambassador for Winnipeg’s Cultural Capital year and as Artistic Associate at Prairie Theatre Exchange 2012 to 2018. In 2016, Debbie became the first physically disabled actor to play Richard III in a professional Canadian production with SIR. In 2014 she was selected for the United Nations Platform for Action Committee’s Activist Award and was honoured with the Mayor’s Making a Mark Award in 2017. She is a proud advocate for disability arts through her work as the Artistic Director of Sick + Twisted Theatre and as a disability consultant/dramaturge on numerous projects across Canada. She lives a wheelchair-enabled life in Winnipeg and in a cabin on the shore of Lake Winnipeg with her partner and collaborator, Arne MacPherson.
F. Reid Shippen, Robot Lemon
F. Reid Shippen is a multiple Grammy Award-winning mixer, engineer, and record producer, whose credits include 10 Grammy Award-winning albums and over 100 #1 singles. His years of experience as a recording and mix engineer span multiple genres, and feature a wide range of artists such as Ingrid Michaelson, Kenny Chesney, India.Arie, Cage the Elephant, Little Big Town, CeCe Winans, Steven Tyler, Colony House, Lucie Silvas, and Dierks Bentley. In 2019, Shippen received the Academy of Country Music award for Audio Engineer of the Year. He has previously served as co-chair of the Producers & Engineers Wing of NARAS, and currently serves as the Chief Creative Officer for the music production house, The Music Playground. As an advocate for music education, Shippen teaches a class at Middle Tennessee State University, and is a co-founder of SongFarm, a creative-centered charity that focuses on providing creative curricula for secondary schools. He currently works out of his private Robot Lemon studio, located in the Green Hills area of Nashville.
Felix Idigbe, Zuki
“it's simple, I’m here to make you dance, feel good or both.” That’s how Zuki describes his purpose as a DJ. With his eclectic musical taste inspired by his travels, you're guaranteed to go on a musical journey and ultimately be left wondering how you ended up on the dance floor. Growing up to his Mother’s 70’s funk essentials box set and his Dad’s Fela Kuti tapes playing in the household, his range of musical influence is wide.
Geoff Goddard, Frontside Group
Managing Partner / Co-Founder : The Frontside Group. Coming from an A&R and label background, Geoff co-founded the Frontside Group in 2003. Frontside is the largest independent promotions firm in Canada. Along with his business partner, Gary McDonald, Geoff also founded and operates Strange Loop Promotions (a boutique US promo firm focused on Alternative music), and The NACC Chart (the official chart for North American College & Non-Comm radio). Current clients include: The Glorious Sons, Rostam, JJ Wilde, Banners, Chet Faker, Half Moon Run, Grimes, Major Lazer, Nick Cave, Foushée, and Mother Mother.
Jamelia Campbell, Sony Music/ADVANCE
Jamelia Campbell is a first-generation Canadian, born and raised in Toronto of two Jamaican parents who instilled the love of music in her from an early age. Exposed to everything from Barrington to Vybz, En Vogue to Destiny’s Child and Eurythmics to Spice Girls, she got a crash course in the diversity of sound across various genres, geographic locations and eras. Her love for music furthered as she learned to play clarinet and violin in middle and high school band/orchestra, which led to singing in school and church choirs, followed by singing and dancing in musical theatre and commercial and TV broadcast appearances (MTV Live). However, as she transitioned to post-secondary education, Jamelia pivoted to a career path behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
She attended Humber College, transferred to York University where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and then to Seneca@York where she culminated her education with a post-graduate certification in Corporate Communications. The program allowed Jamelia to marry her love of music with her studies via an internship opportunity at Sony Music Canada, in the Media Relations department, and before the internship finished, Jamelia was hired full time in December 2015, becoming the label’s first Black publicist. Since then, she has transitioned from intern, to Coordinator, Associate and now, Manager, Media Relations working with a large roster of domestic and international artists, including Khalid, Rick Ross, H.E.R, and Diamond certified DJs Loud Luxury.
Jay Devonish, Director of A&R Marketing / eOne Music
With over 18 years of experience at eOne Music Canada, Jay currently holds the title of Director of A&R Marketing. Jay is responsible for recruiting and marketing artists for eOne Music and is based in their Toronto office. Over the years Jay has worked on projects from artists such as DJ Khaled, Jim Jones, The Diplomats, Wu-Tang, J Dilla, Madlib, Aloe Blacc, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, Sizzla, Gyptian and more. Recent signings include Keys N Krates, Rhye, David Strickland, Charlotte Day Wilson, River Tiber, Prime Boys, Dudley Perkins & Georgia Anne Muldrow.
Jay also teaches the Business of Music program at the non-profit organization; The Remix Project.
In addition, Jay runs a grant administration company called DMC Grants who aid artists, entrepreneurs, and businesses secure funding for the development. Lastly, Jay runs a boutique record label and publishing company FORESEEN Entertainment which is home to artists such as Moonshine, GodsConnect Once A Tree, beat sampras, J.u.D., Charles Freeman and Laser.
Jen Doerksen, Birthday Cake Media/BNB Studios
Jen is a non-binary communications professional with a deep knowledge of videography, photography, online community, and a serious interest in audio engineering. Jen is currently the marketing manager at Birthday Cake Media, a role that includes branding, long-term marketing strategies, digital-focused marketing, and creative development. Jen is a co-founder of BNB Studios, a videography outfit for artists and musicians, which is how they discovered and developed a passion for working directly alongside artists. They play drums in a psych-rock band called w i n d o w t a l k, and they are constantly exploring ways to mix mediums and bring visual and audio art forms together.
Jeremy Haywood-Smith, JayWood
JayWood is Jeremy Haywood-Smith from Winnipeg MB. What started as bedroom "sad jangle pop songs" just singing about how sad or miserable he was, things slowly started to change as time went on (both style and direction wise) into the more "psych funk" sound that is shown today!
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Joanna Hawkins, Deaf actor, 100 Decibels
Hailing from Poland, a University of Manitoba Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate, Joanna Hawkins has always felt a strong connection to the arts. She is a skilled artist (drawing & painting), graphic designer and photographer but her real dream had always been with acting. Joanna has performed as a lead in a children’s show for young deaf children and has been involved in several films in Manitoba as a featured extra as well as two television commercials. Joanna has been professionally trained in mime, physical comedy and storytelling by the award winning Hot Thespian Action’s Shannon Guile-Hardy. Recently Joanna performed as Mrs. Peachum in Sick + Twisted/AA Battery production’s “The Threepenny Opera”. Joanna's aim is not only to entertain audiences with her incredibly crisp and clean physical illusions but to reach-out with the beauty of Deaf Culture and build bridges between the hearing and Deaf worlds. Joanna continues enjoying working in theatre/film industry as an actor, ASL translator and ASL coach.
Joanna Pollock, Producer/Artist
Joanne Pollock has been producing and performing her unique vision of future-pop for 10 years. In that time she has released two EPs, one album with her band Poemss (featuring Venetian Snares) and one critically acclaimed solo album, Stranger (Timesig/Planet Mu). Other discography includes a remix for Zola Jesus was released as part of Okovi: Additions on Sacred Bones. She was one of four participants selected for a masterclass taught by Suzanne Ciani at the National Music Center in Calgary. She developed and teaches Equalizer, technical workshops to women and non-binary folks from 2016 - 2020. She has traveled extensively throughout Canada and Europe, performing with Poemss and as a solo artist, including opening for Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois on their worldwide 2018 tour dates.
Website | Instragram | TikTok
Jonathan Li, Prosody Digital
Jonathan Li is a data-driven and growth-focused digital marketer with over 13 years of experience working for agencies such as Critical Mass (Omnicom) & Evans Hunt. He has led digital work for clients such as Nissan USA, Dell, AT&T, Infiniti USA / Global, Hewlett Packard, Electronic Arts, and CBC Music. He currently serves as a mentor with numerous programs such as The Juno Awards Masterclass and Canada's Music Incubator where he has helped 200+ artists/music managers over the last 4 years with digital marketing. His consulting agency, Prosody Digital, works with businesses and marketing agencies to improve their eCommerce, SEO, paid advertising and analytics capabilities. In his past artist life, Jonathan was a Western Canada Music Awards and Gospel Music Awards nominated singer/songwriter. Today, he also works as a songwriter for both independent & major label artists utilizing his songwriting education from the Berklee College of Music.
Jordan Howard, CCS Rights Management
Jordan is the Creative Director and Global Head of A&R and Artist Development for international publishing company, CCS Rights Management. He represents the creative interests of songwriters and artists such as Terra Lightfoot, CARYS, Yukon Blonde, Colin James, POESY and more.
Josephine Cruz, Jayemkayem, Bare Selection, ISO Radio
Josephine Cruz aka Jayemkayem is a multidisciplinary creative entrepreneur currently based in Toronto. She is known for her wide-ranging skills as a DJ/curator, producer and strategist, as well as for her natural aptitude for community leadership and organizing. Her professional resume includes work with Complex, Red Bull, Sony Music, Foot Locker, Kronenbourg, RIFF and more; and her DJ client list includes Nike, Jordan, adidas, Puma, Sephora, Lululemon, Google, Spotify, Vice and others.
J. Riley Hill, No Fun Club Studio
(James) Riley Hill has been playing in bands, making his own music and engineering/producing for other artists in Winnipeg for the last 16 years (the 3mu, J Riley Hill, Mulligrub, RasTamils). He has experience ranging from capturing the way a band sounds live, to building an entire production from scratch and everything in between. After 10+ years as a freelance engineer/producer Riley was hired as a studio manager/engineer for No Fun Club, a two studio recording facility in Winnipeg Manitoba with a focus on analog/vintage equipment.
Kara Purto, 604 Records/Light Organ Records
Kara Purto is a Sr. Project at Sync Licensing manager for 604 Records, Light Organ Records and Simkin Artist Management. She has previously worked for Open Road Recordings/RGK entertainment, Tanjola Brands, ole Media Management and JRS Productions. With over 14 years in the entertainment industry, Kara has worked in music marketing, music publishing, artist management, music licensing, video production, and foley. Kara is an honours graduate of Harris Institute for the Arts’ management and music production programs.
Kayla Fernandes, Vagina Witchcraft
Kayla Fernandes, poet, activist, artist, and vocalist in Winnipeg hardcore/doom band Vagina Witchcraft, explores themes of love, loss, mental health and the lasting effects of systemic racism and opression. They deliver their work with an authenticity that is impossible to ignore and are not scared in the slightest to unapologetically call out the injustices that BIPOC face every day.
Kelly Bado, Artist
Avec des influences de son héritage africain, de la chanson française et du gospel américain, la musique de Kelly Bado traverse les barrières culturelles pour rassembler les gens dans la joie et l’espoir. Artiste francophone de l’année en 2020 au Western Canadian Music Awards, Kelly Bado présente un nouveau spectacle chaleureux et rythmé inspiré de son nouvel album Hey Terre, un mélange enivrant de Soul, Musiques du monde et Pop.
Weaving in influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope. Her striking vocals and uplifting melodies were recognized with a 2020 WCMA Francophone Artist of the Year Award.
With lyrics inspired by love, celebration and social equality, Kelly is committed to the vision of an inclusive world where we come together as citizens of this vast planetary village - each contributing our unique strengths to the common experience.
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Kim Temple, Six Shooter Records/High Priestess Publishing
Kim Temple is Director of Licensing & Publishing at Six Shooter Records and President of High Priestess Publishing, representing a diverse group of artists within the LGBTQ+ & BIPOC communities. She’s a Juno-nominated drummer with over 20 years of experience in rights management, creative pitching, sync licensing, and royalty management for film & TV composers. She is also Senior Manager of Industry & Member Relations at Music Publishers Canada where she runs the Women In The Studio national accelerator program.
Website | Facebook | Facebook | Instagram | Instagram | Twitter | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Lana Winterhalt, Artist/Producer
Multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and indie-pop artist Lana Winterhalt delivers enigmatic and layered compositions inspired by junky breakups, insomnia, and true love, all in an attempt to leave you feeling sparkly and weightless. Whether it be her vocals that float effortlessly with warm restraint over ballads like Diamonds or Right, or playful pop melodies featured on her debut full-length album If & When (2018), Winterhalt's production is experimental and bold yet warm and familiar. This upcoming year is Winterhalt's most daring yet, showcasing her diversity by releasing contemplative instrumental songs followed by unabashed pop jams and cinematic anthems. From heartbreak to pure bliss and quiet ambience to exploding soundscapes, Lana Winterhalt's artistry is the kind that sinks deep into your soul, and intends to stay there. File next to: Lucy Dacus, Enya and Feist.
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Matt Berry, Music Director, X92.9
“Originally hailing from Edmonton, Matt Berry made the trip down to Calgary in 2008 and has been at X92.9 in various roles for 12 years. Along with being an on air personality, he is the Music Director, host of the Alt 20 Countdown, and the local/independent Canadian show Xposure. If you’re an alternative artist/band, or a singer/songwriter, then Matt would love to hear from you for his program.”
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Matt Maw, Red Music Rising
From Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Matt is an artist manager now based in Toronto. Matt brings over 10 years of multi-faceted music industry experience to Red Music Rising, along with a passion for artist development and a mission to amplify Canada’s Indigenous artists on the global stage. Throughout his career, Matt has worked with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, Indigenous and otherwise, including Tanya Tagaq, William Prince, Riit, Jeremy Dutcher, Broken Social Scene and BANNERS among others. A graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts, Matt has previously worked alongside organizations including Arts & Crafts Productions, Six Shooter Records and New Constellations.
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Matthew Monias, Mattmac
Mattmac is a blind music producer and recording artist from Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba. He has taken his melodic pop trap beats and inspiring story to quickly establish himself as one to watch on the national music scene. At 300,000+ streams across all platforms , Mattmac's catchy melodies, thoughtful lyrics and hard hitting beats presented on his debut release, 20/20, has been turning heads while receiving media features on CBC Indigenous, CTV National News, Virgin Radio Winnipeg, ELMNT FM, Winnipeg Free Press and hitting #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown with his debut single, “Paradise".
Matt Peters, Royal Canoe/deadmen
Matt Peters has worked as a full-time producer, musician and composer over the past 15 years. As a founding member of Royal Canoe, deadmen, The Waking Eyes, The Pets, and Heavy Bell, he has had the opportunity to tour the globe and share the stage with many other artists. Matt has produced and engineered records for artists like Begonia, Ashleigh Ball and Tom Keenan, as well as self-producing most of his own projects. He has composed music for TV and film (including Matt Rankin’s Negativipeg and Tabula Rasa, which premiered at TIFF and Sundance). As one-half of the duo, Heavy Bell, Matt has written music for the stage (A Winter’s Tale and Richard II) and created a musical adaptation of the Elizabeth Smart novel, By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept, which premiered at Prairie Theatre Exchange in 2020. Matt has received three Western Canadian Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 song award, a Winnipeg Theatre Award (Richard II) and is a two-time loser at the Junos.
Nathan Stein, Dine Alone Records
Nathan brings respected expertise in scouting, signing and developing acts; having previously worked in A&R Manager at Arts & Crafts and the Drake Hotel as Head Music Programmer. As Director of A&R and International he has had a hand in signing and managing acts such as The Sheepdogs, Arkells, Monster Truck, The Civil Wars, Overcoats, Yoke Lore, Washed Out, Bombay Bicycle and currently co-managing DEAR-GOD.
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Rayannah, Artist/Producer
Rayannah bends noise into music by running voice, breath, synth and percussion through loop pedals. Innovative on stage and in the studio, the Winnipeg-based electro-alternative artist was named Francophone Artist and Producer of the Year at the 2019 WCMAs for her bilingual album “Nos repaires”.
Rich Kidd Beats
"Rich Kidd, is a Canadian hip hop recording artist, record producer, film/video director and community leader from Toronto, Ontario. His production credits include Drake, Kardinal Offishall, k-OS, Lupe Fiasco and Busta Rhymes. He is a two-time nominee for the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, garnering nominations at the Juno Awards of 2013 for The Closers and at the Juno Awards of 2014 for In My Opinion. In 2013, he formed the project Naturally Born Strangers with collaborators Tona and Adam Bomb. That group's debut release, The Legends League Presents: Naturally Born Strangers, won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2015."
Ryan Chung, Broadcaster/Radio Personality/Producer
Engaging, professional, entertaining and memorable... These words embody the versatility Ryan Chung offers on & off the stage. Being inspired by Master T of Much Music at a very young age, Ryan launched his career in pursuit of being a Television Video Jockey and producer. He began MC'ing local events & talent shows around the Greater Toronto Area before going after his dream by applying to Centennial College for Broadcasting in Television, Radio & Film. With a push from his friends in seeing the talent within him, he was featured in the 2009 MuchMusic VJ Search. This opportunity was a springboard to career opportunities with MTV Canada & Corus Entertainment working in the fields of production and Digital Content. With the end of an era - for 6 years straight, Chung went on to produce & host an all Canadian show called 100% Canadian on G98.7FM. Beyond broadcasting, Ryan has endeavoured in acting, where you can see him on the silver screen in Television & Commercials. He is married to his beautiful wife Michelle since November 2018.
Sara Franczyk, ZYK Marketing
Sara Franczyk is the founder of ZYK, a music marketing agency based in Toronto that provides labels and independent artists with services in digital marketing, digital advertising, playlisting and CBC & Satellite Radio Promotion. Originally from Winnipeg, Sara began her music marketing career interning for Manitoba Music and then moved across the pond to Liverpool UK to attend the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, specializing in music management and digital marketing. One of Sara's greatest music moments was meeting Paul McCartney at her graduation! After gaining further work experience at UK artist management companies as well as Sony Music Canada, she made the full move to Toronto to work with Dale Speaking in radio promotion and digital marketing. After 3 years, Sara decided to expand her work in music promotion and founded ZYK to focus on building the careers of both independent and signed artists.
Sarah Burke, SiriusXM
Sarah Burke is the Manager of Canadian Music Programming at SiriusXM, overseeing programming for Canadian Indigenous Peoples’ Radio along with The Verge, North Americana, CBC Country, Iceberg, Influence & Attitude Franco, and The Tragically Hip Radio. She’s also a host for any of the above channels!
Sarah Tudzin, Producer/Engineer
Los Angeles-based artist, music producer, mixer, and engineer Sarah Tudzin’s specialty is curating artists' organic individuality from all ends of the genre spectrum. From working in the studio alongside major contemporary artists (Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Barbara Streisand, Hamilton The Musical) to hip indie acts (Porches, Weyes Blood, Amen Dunes, !!!), Tudzin continually showcases a fluency in stylistic malleability by way of audiophilic sonicism and resolute production vision. She is formally trained in music production, audio engineering, and songwriting at Berklee College of Music and honed her skills as a production assistant to major mix engineer/producer Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio) at the iconic Sunset Sound Studio.
Sierra Noble
Sierra Noble is an accomplished singer-songwriter and fiddle player from Winnipeg, Canada. She released her first album - a traditional Metis fiddle album - at the age of 13, followed by a well received EP "Possibilities" which debuted her gift as a songwriter. She has performed around the world including as an opening act for Paul McCartney, Bon Jovi, and Johnny Reid, and as a featured performer in the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Sierra's seamless ability to transition from high energy to intimate, timeless singer-songwriter to world-class fiddle, leaves everyone in attendance having witnessed something unique and unforgettable.
Simone Torres, Vocal Producer
Simone Torres is a Multi-Platinum, Grammy Nominated, engineer, vocal producer, and vocalist from New York. She has worked with artists such as Normani, Jessie J, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Monsta X, Sia, Kane Brown, Usher, Superfruit, The Backstreet Boys, Dua Lipa, and more.
Some notable accomplishments include Vocal Producing Normani’s “Motivation” and engineering Cardi B’s “I Like It” and “Be Careful.” Outside of the studio, Simone also is passionate about working alongside organizations such as Women’s Audio Mission to help educate and encourage young women to take on careers in the music industry.
As a vocalist herself, Simone understands how stressful it can be to perform in the studio and thus aims to bring comfort and ease to her artists. Vocalists are their instrument and in turn, when something goes wrong it can be extremely personal. The trust between a vocalist and their producer is of the utmost importance. It is because of this that Simone became a vocal producer. She wants to help her artists create music they can be proud of.
Stefanie Blondal Johnson, Mise en Scene
Stefanie Blondal Johnson is a singer-songwriter and one half of the duo in the Winnipeg based Indie Rock band, Mise en Scene. Mise en Scene has been nominated for Canadian music awards, toured the world, played national and international showcasing and taste making festivals, released three full length records, one EP and are signed to Light Organ/604 Records out of Vancouver. Stefanie is the songwriter, singer, guitarist and manager of the Mise en Scene, and she has done contract work in marketing, photoshoots and branding for other bands. She has attended the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity for Independent Residencies and Singer-Songwriter Residencies. Her co-writing has taken her to Nashville and has worked with both emerging and established songwriters including Grammy winners and Hall of Fame inductees. She has a degree from McGill University with a major in English Cultural Studies and minor in Media and Communications, and has a partial fine arts degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) where she studied film, video and photography.
SUN SUN, Producer
SUN SUN is a queer, Toronto based, Italian Canadian producer, DJ, rapper and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. As the producer and member of Above Top Secret and producer/DJ for alternative r&b act Witch Prophet, SUN SUN provides a diverse soundscape of hiphop, jazz, r&b, electronic, grunge and dub beats. She has had the opportunity to share the stage with and open for great acts like A Tribe Called Red, JPEGMAFIA, Lido Pimienta, Shabazz Palaces, Lal, Tasha The Amazon, METZ and Fucked Up to name a few. With her solo debut project ALTRO MONDO, SUN SUN experiments into the club/rave scenes of the ‘90s with soundscapes that flow, expand and travel into new dimensions throughout each (5min long) track. ALTRO MONDO is another world. A 32min, 6 track collection of house, jungle, and electronic beats with vocal samples created to make you dance. Past sync placements include songs on VICE, Inside Out Film Festival Trailer and CBC’s Letter Kenny. Recently SUN SUN celebrated the Polaris Prize Short List nomination for Witch Prophet’s sophomore LP ‘D.N.A. Activation’ which she coproduced alongside Witch Prophet.
Tao-Ming Lau, Blue Crane Agency
Tao is the Founder/Agent at Blue Crane Agency (@bluecraneagency), a music booking agency seeking to prioritize women, artists of color, and LGBTQ+ musicians in North America and abroad. The roster was founded with artists like Zaki Ibrahim, DJ NDN (Co-Founder of A Tribe Called Red), Shay Lia, Narcy, Too Attached (members Vivek Shraya and Shamik Bilgi), BAMBII, Kallitechnis, 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). Tao is a board director at Polaris Music Prize and Canadian Live Music Association, a member of the Toronto Music Advisory Council (2019-2023), Music Ontario's Prism LGBTQ2S+ Committee, 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 where she was born and raised. Tao is a queer woman of color seeking to open more doors and establish better infrastructure for minority artists (@tao_owl).
Tracy Bone, Artist
Tracy Bone is a 2009 Juno Award Nominee, a Multi-Award Winning Singer/Songwriter, Mother & Spiritual Explorer. Bone has been determined, guided and focused on healing from the effects of Intergenerational Trauma for 8 years; January 2021 marked the fullness of that cycle. “I chose this courageously terrifying journey because I wanted to learn how to break the cycle of unresolved traumas in my family line due to both my Grandmothers experiences in Indian Residential School & my Grandfather’s PTSD as a veteran. I was willing to do whatever it took to be a healthy minded person not knowing a thing about what that would ask of me. To heal all my wounds that I had yet to uncover so I could someday grow into an empowered Woman and Mother that my children and I could depend on and be proud of.” ~T.Bone
Vivian Barclay, GM, Warner Chappell Music Canada
Vivian is the General Manager of Warner/Chappell Music Canada. She is a classically-trained musician with a degree in Radio & Television from Ryerson University. Experienced in radio, artist management, publicity, and promotion, she has composed music for television commercials and won awards for her film sound production and digital audio editing talents.
At Warner/Chappell, she works with a diverse roster of songwriters, including Jully Black, Patoranking, Brad Rempel (High Valley), Maurice Moore, Machel Montano, Classified, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and is also responsible for the administration of the over 200-year-old company’s global catalogue, which includes Lizzo, Quincy Jones, Summer Walker, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Gamble & Huff, Radiohead, Stephen Sondheim, Chris Stapleton, Green Day, Michael Bublé, Murda Beatz and PARTYNEXTDOOR.
Vivian sits on the Boards of: Music Publishers Canada, SOCAN, the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, ADVANCE -Canada’s Black Music Collective, as well as Phemphat Entertainment Group, producers of the all-female Honey Jam Showcase, a non-profit organization which provides mentoring opportunities for artists. Vivian is also active in community development projects Habitat for Humanity and Food for the Poor.