TORONTO, June 24,
2024 /CNW/ - Canada's leading music education
charity, MusiCounts, and RBC Foundation are
thrilled to announce the participants of the 2024
RBCxMusic First Up Program, powered by MusiCounts.
Expanding its reach this year, the RBCxMusic First Up
Program is providing 30 emerging artists, music producers,
sound engineers and other creatives from across Canada with a comprehensive and
transformational professional development experience. This
experience includes unique performance opportunities, valuable
mentorship, networking, funding, and media and promotional
marketing support.
"RBC is committed to powering ideas that equip the next
generation of creatives with skills for a thriving
future," said Mark
Beckles, Vice President of Social Impact & Innovation,
RBC. "That is why the RBCxMusic First Up Program is proud to
partner with MusiCounts which shares our belief that music has the
powerful ability to transform lives. Congratulations to this year's
program participants – your incredible passion and talent are truly
inspiring."
The RBCxMusic First Up Program was created in 2020 to help
emerging recording artists continue to hone their craft, perform
for new and diverse fans and ultimately, progress their careers.
The program has supported more than 200 artists across an array of
genres and backgrounds that reflect Canada's eclectic cultural mosaic, and the
momentum is continuing in 2024 with the MusiCounts partnership.
Through this new collaboration, the program participants increased
from 20 in 2023 to 30 this year, and eligibility was expanded to
include music producers, sound engineers and other creatives.
Additionally, MusiCounts will provide valuable mentorship,
networking, educational opportunities and more to this year's
roster.
MusiCounts and RBC recognize that being an emerging artist or
music industry professional in Canada is not a singular experience, but
rather a journey with distinct stages. This program has two streams
aimed at engaging emerging artists and music professionals at two
junctures in their career trajectory: early emerging, and early
career.
"For over 25 years, MusiCounts has supported music education
nationwide as a way to ensure the health and vitality of the
Canadian music industry. This program partnership with RBC will be
critical in helping us close the knowledge gaps that exist for
young people as they progress in their music industry
careers," said Kristy
Fletcher, President of
MusiCounts. "Congratulations to these exciting emerging
artists and professionals!"
For additional information on the program, please visit
musicounts.ca/firstup. The creative community and music fans can
also follow @RBCxMusic on Instagram to stay up to date on program
updates and exclusive content.
Photos of participants can be downloaded here.
2024 Participants - RBCxMusic
First Up Program, powered by MusiCounts
Aiona Santana, Ottawa, ON
Alicia Lov, Edmonton, AB
Ana Lía, Toronto, ON
Aphrose - Toronto, ON
Carter & the Capitals - Edmonton,
AB
Chynna Lewis - Toronto, ON
Clerel - Richelieu, QC
Daniel James McFadyen - Port Williams, NS
Esco - Toronto, ON
Fox Revett - Toronto, ON
Gäelle - Montreal, QC
Graham Wall - Vancouver, BC
Ila Barker - Winnipeg, MB
JACE Carrillo - Montreal,
QC
Josh Alexander - Outremont, QC
Kat Dion - Rawdon, QC
Keisha Booker - Winnipeg, MB
Magenta - London, ON
Mappe Of - Dundas, ON
Marcos Polar - Toronto, ON
Mckenzie Toyne - Toronto, ON
MINOE - Montreal, QC
Mint Simon - Montreal, QC
Nicolina - Vaughan, ON
Omega Mighty - Ajax, ON
Paesler - Toronto, ON
Puma June - Toronto, ON
Ruru - North York, ON
Toddy - Vancouver, BC
YASSiN & Sean Terrio -
Ancaster, ON
About MusiCounts:
MusiCounts is Canada's music education charity associated
with CARAS and the JUNO Awards. MusiCounts' vision is to ensure
that all youth in Canada have
access to music education through their schools and communities.
This vision is realized through grant programs that invest directly
into schools and communities across Canada that put musical instruments into the
hands of kids who need them the most. Additionally, MusiCounts
creates educational resources for teachers and students; empowers
young people to pursue music as a career; and celebrates teachers,
artists, and philanthropists who champion music education. Since
1997 MusiCounts has awarded over $18,000,000 in support of music education in
Canada.
MusiCounts Links:
Website
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Facebook
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TikTok
LinkedIn
Media Contacts:
Ashley
Sperling
Director, Marketing and Brand
Partnerships
Strut
Entertainment
ashley@strutentertainment.com
Jamie
Crawford
Public Relations And Promotions
Manager
Strut
Entertainment
jamie@strutentertainment.com
SOURCE MusiCounts