Manitoba Music
Our Team
Board of Directors
Adam Soloway
Real Love Winnipeg / First Date Touring / Living Hour
He / Him
Adam Soloway has spent the last 15 years booking shows in just about every capacity. Adam co-founded Real Love Winnipeg in 2012 who put on over 70 shows a year at just about every local venue, as well as producing three annual music festivals: Real Love Summer Fest, Winterruption Winnipeg, and Maryland Music Fest. Adam is an agent at First Date Touring, a booking agency he co-founded in 2016 that has over 40 clients based in Canada, The US, and Europe. He was an in-house talent buyer at The Good Will Social Club for years, and is also an active touring musician in the groups Living Hour and Central Heat Exchange
Alannah Walker
Deloitte LLP
She / Her
Alannah Walker is a Director in the Strategy, Risk, and Transactions practice at Deloitte LLP. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator with many years of experience serving private and public company clients. Alannah grew up playing in various local bands and currently plays in Booter, Housepanther, and Polyglots.
Chloe Chafe
Synonym Art Consultation
She / They
Chloe Chafe is the co-founder and acting co-director of both Synonym Art Consultation and Wall-to-Wall Mural + Culture Festival. Chafe is a settler based in Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her curatorial practice is based in street art, performance and the dissemination of socially conscious art practices in all forms of public spaces. Chafe’s research is rooted in accessible artworks in communities, the long lasting impacts of mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is currently finishing her bachelor of Fine Arts History at University of Manitoba, however the majority of her education has been generously passed down from community art mentors, colleagues, youth, and teachers over the years.
Danielle Morrison
Cochrane Saxberg
She / Her
Danielle Morrison, a proud Treaty 3 member of the Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing, practices in the areas of Indigenous law, Child Protection and Litigation. She received her call in July 2020. Prior to law school, Danielle developed a long-standing career in program delivery, policy review and advocacy with various Indigenous-led movements and non-profit organizations at both the grassroots and national levels, including the National Association of Friendship Centres and the Assembly of First Nations. In that time, Danielle spent two years assisting Survivors of the Indian Residential Schools system as an outreach worker and form-filler for claims in the Independent Assessment Process. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Visual Arts and minor in Indigenous studies. In 2016, she was the lead Community & Cultural Engagement Coordinator for the national tour of Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s “Going Home Star: Truth and Reconciliation”, and has since co-founded the Indigenous Advisory Committee for the ballet company. Danielle is an avid community organizer and advocate for systemic and social change, and regularly volunteers her time in support of community-driven actions and movements. Danielle is a visual graphic artist and photographer by trade, and volunteers her artistic vision to create artwork that embodies the spirit and spreads the message of Indigenous resistance. She is a jingle dress dancer, small business owner of Clan Mother Goods and Apparel and proud parent to daughter, Evie Morrison-Blanchard.
David Landreth
The Bros. Landreth / Birthday Cake Records
He / Him
David Landreth (he/him) is one half of Winnipeg based roots rockers, The Bros. Landreth. The band are multiple award-winners, have received critical praise across the world, and have toured extensively through Canada, the US, Europe, and Australia since they formed in 2012. Their most recent album, “Come Morning”, earned them a JUNO for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year in 2023. Earlier this year, Bonnie Raitt earned a grammy for Best Americana Performance of her version of The Bros. Landreth’s song “Made Up Mind’. In 2015 the band earned their first JUNO for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year with their debut album, “Let it Lie”. They have also received numerous Breakout West awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and a nomination for International Atist of the Year at the 2016 UK Americana Awards. David is also a co-owner, founder, and artist manager at Birthday Cake Media — a record label, artist management, and music publishing company, based out of Winnipeg that he started alongside his brother Joey and their longtime band manager, Stu Anderson. Birthday Cake has fostered a creative community that elevates and promotes local talent and has released music by The Bros Landreth, Begonia, Field Guide, Leith Ross, and many more.
Elliott Walsh
He / Him
Elliott Walsh (Nestor Wynrush) is a Winnipeg, Treaty 1 based emcee, musician, poet and program facilitator. He has been active in the city's music scene for 20+ years performing, mentoring youth and organizing events.
As a musician he's toured throughout North America and Europe. Wynrush has been critically well received and consistently charted on national campus radio. He has proven to be a niche artist that creates works with verve and recognized purpose. Issues of accessibility and celebrating his Caribbean roots are painted all over his catalogue.
He is a former Polaris Prize Juror, youth arts program manager, UNITY facilitator, campus and commercial radio broadcaster, and music journalist. In recent years he has joined forces with Synonym Art Consultation in assistance on their Wall To Wall mentorship and performance projects. He is currently a consultant on a history of Winnipeg Rap book and his written works have been published in a number of books. Musically, he is working on "The Live Mixtape: bell hooks edition." That project will be presented and performed at The WECC in the fall of 2022 in collaboration with many members of Winnipeg's vibrant music scene. He believes music is an element of change and therapy through the caring acts of vulnerability and honesty with oneself, collaborators & with the audience.
Jason Burnstick
Burnstick
He / Him
Jason Burnstick is a a Cree Musician, Singer-Songwriter/Composer based out of Manitoba. Jason's musical expression comes from his original vintage 1920s Weissenborn lap slide guitars. Composing for film and television since 2000. Some composing credits include:
- “Little Bird” show on Crave, APTN and on PBS in the US.
- Recently wrapped creating over 40 cues for the “Indspire Awards”, co-composing with wife Nadia Burnstick.
- “The Secret to Good Tea”, theatre production that played at the Manitoba Theatre Company.
- In 2010 Jason also scored the music for the award winning Governor Generals Award theatre production “Where The Blood Mixes”.
- “Before The Sun”, currently showing in Film Festivals in Canada and the US. Also co-composed with wife Nadia Burnstick.
- “Cloud Striker”, currently shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Liliane Lavack
CCFM
She / Her
Liliane Lavack is director of artistic and cultural programming at Le Centre culturel franco-manitobain (CCFM) and a producer, production manager and costume designer in media production and theatre. She has collaborated on several television series, documentaries, as well as live music broadcasts. She has done production & post production for television at Manito Media, a French production company in Winnipeg and worked with many other production companies. Lili has a passion for fashion, graduating from the University of Manitoba in Textile Science and attended Richard Robinson Haute Couture Academy. Over the years, she has produced several fashion shows in Winnipeg, while highlighting local fashion designers and people from the community. She has been the costume designer for Théâtre Cercle Molière and Indigenous Day Live. In addition Lili has been part of the planning team for the Grey Cup ceremony and Indigenous Day Live and has worked for the JUNOS. She currently runs the Deux Cocottes Pop Up Flower Shop.
Neil Exell
He / Him
Neil Exell is a father, musician and public servant. He’s a settler living on Treaty 1 territory in Winnipeg. Thanks to some chance early mentorship and DIY tendencies, he’s worn many hats since he started playing in bands as a teenager – artist, promoter, grant writer, tour agent, band dad. This longstanding enthusiasm for musical people and projects has brought him many privileges and pleasures, including international tours and an irreplaceable sense of community. As a public servant working in cultural and creative sectors, he’s developed a strong interest in cultural democracy and art as an agent of social change.
Rhonda Thompson
She / Her
Rhonda Thompson is an avid community supporter and performer, Rhonda has lent her insight and expertise in Community Relations, Finance and the Music Industry to a number of organizations and causes. She helps to facilitate community engagement opportunities and acts as a liaison between groups to encourage knowledge transfer. Rhonda volunteers as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Black History Manitoba and currently serves as the President for the Congress of Black Women of Manitoba Inc, and also an active member of Winnipeg’s Police Accountability Coalition representing the Black Community Collective. She was also the proud recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for Community Service.
Suzanne Holatko
Treasurer
Deloitte LLP
She / Her
Suzanne Holatko is a Partner in the Assurance and Advisory practice in the Deloitte LLP office and has over 10 years of experience focusing on serving private companies and not-for-profit organizations. She is well versed in common challenges experienced by not-for-profits and their accounting and finance functions.
Staff
Alex Sannie
Manager, Industry Development
He / Him
Alex Sannie is an accomplished and award-winning music producer, performer, and presenter with 20 years of experience creating music. He’s most well known as the producer and member of the hip hop group The Lytics. Performing all over the world, The Lytics have played major music festivals and countless concerts. As the producer of The Lytics, his music has been featured in major Hollywood films, television shows, and ad campaigns. Along with the other members of the group, Alex has worked in the studio or shared the stage with industry heavyweights like Nas, Jurassic 5, Sam Kuti, Childish Gambino, A Tribe Called Red, Shad, Kevin Hearn (of The Barenaked Ladies), and Mike D of the Beastie Boys. Alex was also recently the education program coordinator and head instructor at The Indigenous Family Centre.
Talk to Alex about training and resources, professional development, workshops, career consultations, BPM program, Feedback, Sound Waves Music Meeting (SWMM), and more.
Andrea Davis
Manager, Export Programs
She / Her
Andrea joined the team in 2023 after four years working at Winnipeg-based label, publishing, and management companies Mighty Cypress Talent and Birthday Cake Records as project manager, helping manage artists' careers and grow the label's operations. She was a founding board member of the Rainbow Trout Music Festival and has volunteered with numerous other festivals. Previously, she worked with Winnipeg Folk Festival supporting the STINGRAY Young Performers Program, and at Manitoba Music, where she worked in communications, administration, and community engagement events.
Talk to Andrea about Manitoba Music's export market development activities and the Market Access Fund.
Cassidy Mann
Indigenous Music Development Coordinator
She / Her
Cassidy is an Indigenous artist with over 10 years of experience in the music industry. A member of Sagkeeng First Nation, she is a proud Anishinaabe woman. In 2023, Cassidy worked as a booking coordinator for Real Love Winnipeg/First Date Touring, where she organized and ran local shows in Winnipeg and helped coordinate international tours for artists on First Date’s roster. In 2020, driven to learn more about music production and the industry, Cassidy graduated with a diploma from Metalworks Institute in Mississauga, ON where she studied music business, audio production, and engineering. Throughout her time studying, Cassidy interned at Indie Music Week Canada, coordinating bi-weekly workshops and shows for local artists and industry members in Toronto. As a musician, she has toured internationally, earned two Western Canadian Music Award nominations for Indigenous Recording of the Year, landed a #1 spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown, and has participated in countless songwriting camps and music industry workshops throughout North America.
Talk to Cassidy about the Indigenous Music Development Program and IMDP programs and initiatives, Madwewetoon, Smoke Signal, and much more.
Nia Banilbo
Coordinator, Membership & Events
She / Her
Nia Banilbo joined the team as Marketing Assistant after two terms as an intern. She has earned a diploma in Music Business and continues to use what she has learned to uplift and support local artists. She has developed connections and currently manages a local R&B artist, Adoria. Nia has also had the opportunity to consult with various local artists. Nia finds joy in assisting Manitoban artists in any way she can. She is ecstatic to be back at Manitoba Music and looks forward to what this year has to hold for the local music scene.
Talk to Nia about membership questions, your member profile page, New Music Night, Open Mic Night, and more!
Rachel Stone
Director, Operations & Communications
She / Her
Rachel has been involved in Manitoba’s music industry in one way, shape, or form for 30 years. She has worked at Manitoba Music in operations, communications, and membership under a variety of titles since 2002, and participated in a number of marketing committees, including BreakOut West, JUNO Host Committee, and the 2017 Canada Games. Rachel previously worked at Stylus Magazine, West End Cultural Centre, Uptown Magazine, and Ms. Purdy's, and volunteered at CKUW 95.9 FM, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and more.
Talk to Rachel about partnerships, media inquiries, internships, membership, Manitoba Music's websites, communications and publicity, social media and digital marketing, Song of the Week, Spotlight Series, Spotify playlists, music news, marketing, general operations, and houseplants.
Rose Tobacco-Olson
Administrative Coordinator
She / Her
Rose Tobacco-Olson is an Ojibway/Dakota Sioux woman and a member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. She is currently studying Pre-Law at the University of Winnipeg and hoping to pursue a law degree in the future. She is a Manitoba Music Youth Mentorship alumnus and is an art + entertainment enthusiast, with a passion for local and live music. Rose is considered ‘community aunty’ to many and has worked in Winnipeg’s inner-city community for seven+ years and in the non-profit sector for nine years, she is also a public speaker, most recently worked with United Way Winnipeg for their “I love Winnipeg” campaign and Pathways to Education Canada as an alumni ambassador.
Talk to Rose about general inquiries, volunteering, accounts payable and receivable, help connecting with the team members you need if you're not quite sure who it is, and heavy music.
Vanessa Kuzina
Executive Director
She / Her
Vanessa has worked in the music industry for over 16 years, most recently serving as Director, Artist Management and a senior member of the artist management team at Six Shooter Records (Tanya Tagaq, William Prince, Whitehorse, July Talk, Zaki Ibrahim, and more). She previously worked at Interstellar Rodeo music festival in Winnipeg and Edmonton as Community Development Manager and Artist Liaison. Vanessa was a mentor through Manitoba Music’s Music Business Mentorship Program in 2021 and previously served on Manitoba Music’s Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019. Before her life on the industry side of music Vanessa had a successful career as a founding member, band leader, and songwriter for international performing and recording band Oh My Darling. Throughout her career, Vanessa has been devoted to helping build safer and more inclusive spaces for music makers and workers, and for the music community as a whole.
Ashley Bieniarz
Indigenous Music Export Coordinator (Contract)
sākihiwē Export Accelerator
She / They
Ashley Bieniarz, also known as Kwiat, is a Winnipeg-based music industry professional celebrated for her dedication to community and culture. She received the inaugural Women in Music Honour Roll award in 2023 for her outstanding work with Songsmiths, a program supporting Canadian creators. Ashley, the first Indigenous woman from Manitoba to earn this honor, continues to make significant contributions. She recently served as Artistic Director for the RiseUp Mentorship and GerryFest program and collaborated on an Indigenous Languages and Culture Program grant. With experience as interim Indigenous Music Development Coordinator at Manitoba Music, Ashley actively promotes gender equity in audio recording and music production. She envisions evolving Songsmiths into an artist services and publishing house rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Under the name Kwiat, her debut single "Follow The Call", co-produced by Hawksley Workman and mixed by George Seara, released earlier this year.
Bryn Herpberger
Stage Coordinator (Contract)
He / Him
Since 2018, Bryn has worked in Winnipeg’s music scene as an independent live sound tech, performer, and audio engineer. Having heavily toured North America with local band Apollo Suns and through frequent work with event production companies, he possesses a knowledge of live event logistics and organization.
Talk to Bryn about renting our SL100 mobile stage for your event!
Tomiwa Omolayo
BPM Coordinator (Contract)
BPM | Black Professionals in Music
He / Him
TOMMYPHYLL is an AFRODIEM artist and producer from Lagos Nigeria and has called Winnipeg home for the past 9 years. After releasing his debut self-produced album “Art of DREAMS” in 2020 he’s had his foot on the pedal and hasn’t taken it off since. Having Graced multiple stages with big names in AFROBEATS and more, he continues to deliver electrifying performances with every appearance he makes. He strongly believes that you’ll be a fan once you’re three songs into his discography. When he isn’t working on music, TOMMYPHYLL is working in music and Fashion under the code name “TOMIWA” He has done work with the St Norbert Arts Center, Folk Music Ontario, IRAEDAY and on occasion provides artist consultation.