Winnipeg Folk Festival 2019 | Stingray Rising Stars
For ten years, Stingray has supported young music talent at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. This year, 39 performers participated in the Stingray Young Performers Program and were mentored by Christine Fellows & John K. Samson, Danny Michel, Jesse Matas, Samantha Crain, and William Prince, all of who provided invaluable insight.
The young performers spent Thursday, July 11, learning from industry professionals who were part of the 2019 festival lineup. The mentors also spent two days sharing knowledge of the industry, imparting technical skills, and giving songwriting tips.
Stingray and the Winnipeg Folk Festival aim to nurture musicians in the community, showcase up-and-coming artists from across Canada, and provide career stepping stones. The Stingray Young Performers Program has made a great impact on the careers of hundreds of young artists over the last 20 years. Since 2000, the program, which receives hundreds of applicants annually, has seen several artists go on to have successful music careers and even come back to play as a part of the Winnipeg Folk Fest main lineup. Artists such as Brandy Zdan, Cara Luft, Crooked Brothers, Daniel Champagne, Del Barber, Kacy & Clayton, Roger Roger, Richard Inman, Sweet Alibi, and from the lineup this year, Jesse Matas, Roman Clarke, and Taylor Janzen, are but a few examples.
A jury of industry professionals selects 35 to 40 promising young musicians aged 14 to 24 from coast to coast. The young musicians spend their first days in sessions with mentors crafting and perfecting their songs and perform on stage in front of a Folk Fest audience on the final day.
This year’s participants are:
- Annika Marie Altona, MB
- Bryn Brandon, MB
- Carson Friesen Winnipeg, MB
- Cole Shway Winnipeg, MB
- Dayle Kroeker-Tom Winnipeg, MB
- Erika Fowler Winnipeg, MB
- Gavin Penner Winnipeg, MB
- Hailey Mierke Winnipeg, MB
- Heidi Wright Winnipeg, MB
- Jamboree Winnipeg, MB
- John Muirhead Noval, ON
- Katherine Fischer London, ON
- Keltie Sherwood Park, AB
- Kira Gregory Winnipeg, MB
- Lajla Jean Surrey, BC
- Lindsay Thomson Kenora, ON
- Mark Davidson Winnipeg, MB
- Mes Jolies Winnipeg, MB
- Mitchell Mozdzen Brandon, MB
- Ryan Boyes Altona, MB
- Scott Richards La Salle, MB
- Sophie Stevens Winnipeg, MB
- Sydney Beau Abbotsford, BC
- The Carmichael Girls Beausejour, MB
- Tuva Bergstrom Winnipeg, MB
- Victoria Turko Winnipeg, MB
- Virgo Rising Winnipeg, MB
For more information regarding the Stingray Rising Stars program, click here.
About Winnipeg Folk Festival
With one of North America’s premier outdoor music festivals as its signature event, the Winnipeg Folk Festival is a year-round, not-for-profit arts organization that presents live music, art events, and community programs. The 46th annual Winnipeg Folk Fest will run July 11 - 14, 2019 at Birds Hill Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada on Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis nation.
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