Manitoba Music
Our Team
Board of Directors
Neil Exell
Co-President
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.
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.
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
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.
Elliott Walsh
Nestor Wynrush / Trinipeg / The Live Mixtape
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.
Photo by @bnbstudioswpg
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.
Kelsey Assad
Birthday Cake
Originally from Northern Ontario, Kelsey began her career with the Geraldton Music Jamboree and graduated from the Music Business Management program at Durham College in 2009. Since then, she has spent time with various companies such as RGK Entertainment, CARAS / The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts, Paquin Artists Agency, and her own admin, logistics, and artist consulting business Swamper Entertainment. Over the last three years, Kelsey has been a part of the Birthday Cake team as a Day to Day Manager, working closely with clients such as Begonia, Leith Ross, and The Bros. Landreth. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kelsey is deeply committed to artist development and advocacy for fair policy, wellness, and safe, sustainable careers. In her spare time, she's a #dogmomaf.
Liliane Lavack
Wookey Films
She / Her
Liliane Lavack has been working in the art and entertainment industries for the past 20 years. She is currently Line Producer at Wookey Films, leading the production of two documentary series. She is certified in Myers Briggs Type Indicator and is working towards her ICF Coaching certification. Previously, she served as Artistic Director at Le Centre culturel franco-manitobain (CCFM), where she contributed to a wide range of cultural initiatives.
Lili has a passion for fashion—she graduated from the University of Manitoba in Textile Science and attended the Richard Robinson Haute Couture Academy. Over the years, she has produced several fashion shows in Winnipeg, highlighting local fashion designers and community members. She also designed costumes for Théâtre Cercle Molière, earning an Best Costumes award for Winnipeg Theatre Awards, and has styled numerous celebrity hosts for Indigenous Day Live, including Grace Dove, Ashley Callingbull, and Samian.
Osani Balkaran
Osani Balkaran is an Indigenous and Guyanese rapper, producer, and artist based in Winnipeg. Blending Hip-Hop, storytelling, and cultural roots, he crafts self-produced tracks that feature Cree references and RE-IMAGINED melodies. His work reflects loss, resilience, and community pride. OSANI has opened for The Lytics and Gully, showcased at Canadian Music Week, featured in the 2025 Indigenous Music Spotlight and is planning an upcoming Manitoba Tour with Kirstine McKay and Mike North. He’s now focused on releasing his debut EP—built with local creatives—and using music as a platform to uplift Indigenous and minority youth.
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.
Tyler Sneesby
DJ Hunnicutt
2025 marks 34 years since Tyler Sneesby AKA DJ Hunnicutt has been making and performing music. He has recorded on dozens of albums including most of the releases from Peanuts & Corn Records, the acclaimed independent hip-hop label he co-founded in 1994. Along with being a fixture of the Winnipeg dance party scene for the last 25 years, Sneesby has also played clubs as far away as New York City, Oslo, Bogota and Berlin. He has shared the stage with the likes of Feist and James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) as well as hip-hop legends DJ Jazzy Jeff and Biz Markie. Off stage, Sneesby has been no less active in the local music scheme. He was a member of the core staff of the Jazz Winnipeg Festival from 2006 until 2014, until he left to become an owner and managing partner of the beloved local music venue, The Good Will Social Club. Since losing his vision in 2019, Sneesby has become an advocate for accessible spaces–especially for live music events–and is excited to be an Accessibility Liaison at this year’s Winnipeg Folk Festival.
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 general music business questions, career development and planning, sync placements, grants and funding, marketing and promotion, release strategies, touring, show/performance prep, rights and royalties, BPM (Black Professionals in Music) program, Sound Waves Music Meeting (SWMM), Feedback, workshops and resources, networking, 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 showcasing, Market Access Fund, Manitoba Music's export market development activities, export-readiness, grants and funding, business development, professional team-building, and more
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, IMDP programs and initiatives, Indigenous grants and funding opportunities, Madwewetoon, Smoke Signal, and 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, joining Manitoba Music, membership renewals, member profile pages, 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 opportunities, 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.
Hera Nalam
MB Live Assistant (Contract)
She / They
Born and raised in the Philippines, Hera Nalam first came to Treaty One Territory at 16 years old. Ever since then she has immersed herself in the local creative platforms all over Winnipeg from music, theatre, film and fashion and is making waves as a true inter-disciplinary artist.
Talk to Hera about getting your live music events in Manitoba included in the MB Live concert-finding app and online listings portal.
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.
Talk to Tomiwa about BPM X WAG-Qaumajuq events and the BPM program.