News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canada’s Premier Music Mentorship Program Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary Year
with Increased Cash Prizes and a Valuable Prize Package
Submissions Are Now Open For the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
Details available at newly launched emergingmusician.ca
(Toronto, ON) June 6, 2022 – One of Canada’s most successful programs supporting aspiring Canadian musical artists turns 10! Submissions are now open for Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program. To celebrate this milestone, cash prizing for this year has increased with more valuable experience opportunities. Song submissions are accepted today through to Sunday, July 17, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Since its inception in 2013, the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program has kickstarted the careers of its winners, offering unprecedented access to the industry and breakthroughs in Canada’s admired music landscape. With prizes valued at more than $100,000, the Program provides up-and-coming musicians between the ages of 15 and 35 with unprecedented access to the business side of the music industry. This includes introductions to established and renowned artists and music industry influencers to mentorship sessions and studio recording time, artist development, funding and national performance opportunities. The program will see last year’s winners perform at a special showcase at Canadian Music Week on June 8, 2022.
Canada’s Walk Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer says the Program is vital to Canada’s cultural fabric and believes it is essential that we continue to encourage, empower and elevate our rising musical stars. “Year over year, this important program attracts more remarkable musicians from across Canada and gives them unprecedented music industry access, connecting these rising stars with our greatest achievers. It is wonderful to provide emerging talent with opportunities to help them reach a dream that otherwise might feel impossible.”
Building on the success of last year’s virtual mentorship with Grammy® Award-winning singer/songwriter, 12-time JUNO winner and 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee Sarah McLachlan, this year will see the winners mentored by another Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee, or Honouree (to be selected at a later date). In addition, the $2,000 financial support for a live-off-the-floor performance video has been highly successful and will remain as part of the prize package.
Over the last decade, Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program has seen the careers of its graduates rise, including Nuela Charles, Faouzia and Tafari Anthony, who have each received JUNO nominations. Last year’s Grand Prize recipient, queer, non-Binary, Indigenous pop artist Angel Baribeau of Mistissini, QC, spoke of the Program’s opportunities for representation. “The magnitude of being chosen as the Grand Prize winner of Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program goes beyond what I could have ever imagined for myself as an artist coming from the reserve. This is a huge step in a positive direction for other kids out there who are like me.”
The Program is made possible by RBC Emerging Artists, which supports organizations that provide the best opportunity to advance an artist’s career trajectory in genres such as visual arts, music, theatre, performance, literature and film. Since 2003, RBC’s investments in arts organizations have exceeded $90 million, supporting over 28,000 artists through these programs. In 2021, the RBC Foundation donated over $10 million as part of RBC Emerging Artists to over 185 organizations in Canada, helping to bridge the gap for more than 5,900 emerging artists.
“RBC is strongly committed to empowering our country’s emerging musicians to fulfil their dreams and aspirations,” said Mark Beckles, Vice-President, Social Impact & Innovation, RBC. “We’re so proud to continue providing a powerful platform through Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program to help amplify new talent and diverse perspectives.”
PRIZING DETAILS
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000, performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events including the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards, and private studio recording time at Metalworks Studios. In celebration of the program’s 10th Anniversary year, the Second Prize Winner’s cash prize will increase to $10,000 (previously $6,000). Three Third Prize Winners will each receive $5,000 (previously $4,000).
In addition, all winners will have the following opportunities to elevate their career:
- Online or in-person* group mentorship session with a Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee or Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree
- Financial support ($2000) for a live-off-the-floor performance video
- A showcase opportunity at Canadian Music Week 2023 along with a Festival Access Pass*
- Participation in a creative workshop at Toronto’s ArtHaus, which includes career development mentorship sessions*
- A performance at Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Manitoba in February 2023*
- Dedicated artist page on emergingmusician.ca, the official website for the Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program
*Subject to COVID restrictions.
In addition, through a long-standing partnership with Metalworks Studios, all past and future Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician program applicants are eligible to apply to Metalworks Institute Scholarship that provides a selected recipient with a $10,000 tuition scholarship towards any full-time diploma program or online certificate course bundle at Metalworks Institute of Sound & Music Production.
Visit emergingmusician.ca for details on eligibility and submission requirements.
The winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of music industry experts and will be announced in the fall.
CWOF Twitter and Instagram
@CWOFame #CanadaThrives, #RBCEMP2022
Web Link
emergingmusician.ca
About Canada’s Walk of Fame
Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shining a light on extraordinary achievers and their journeys. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current programs include the RBC Emerging Musician Program, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 200 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com
Canada’s Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2022 Partners: Bell Media, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, WestJet, MLSE, Scotiabank, Federated Capital, Postmedia, Next Magazine, The Printing House, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, and Hotel X Toronto.
Canada’s Walk Of Fame Board of Directors, led by Board Chair Walter Schneider, Chairman & Founder, Waltmar Capital and President & Co-Founder RE/MAX Europe, includes: Vice-Chair Nick Di Donato, President & CEO, Liberty Entertainment Group; Tom Anselmi, Alternate Governor, Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club; Randy Lennox; Linda Mantia; Kim Mason, Senior Vice President & Head, Private Banking Canada, RBC Wealth Management; Dan McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Cineplex Entertainment; Lewis Rusen, Vice Chairman, Korn Ferry; Ron Suter, Executive Vice President, NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution Canada; and, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto.
Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.
Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.
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Media Contact:
Adrienne Kakoullis
Rise PR
416-450-6637 / akakoullis@risepr.ca
