Meet the 15 artists who were selected to participate in this year’s professional creative journey.
DOUR Is an abandoned opera, presented & expressed as a ghastly coalition of madness and pain by singer & guitarist Zak Hilmi Salehian & Bassist Bronwyn okeefe. Their haunting choir of voices & melodies are what make them the theatre for the damned, Tolling the bells for all who are lost amongst the shadows of their true selves, as demonstrated with their visceral and vibrant drummer Dougie Pocasangre. DOUR is not for those looking to be saved, but so they may take refuge from the cold.
A post-fusion band that thrives in the high energy live scene of Vancouver. Chopping Spree blends genres at will, making every show a sight to see with their wild, intensely fun stage presence and captivating instrumental interplay. Under a jazz fusion ethos, their songs have delved into genres of 70s Japanese fusion, progressive rock, heavy metal, psychedelia, funk/disco, post-rock/ambient, and even rap. This unique experimental style creates a soundscape of hypnotic proportions. Reflected through their energetic performance and technicality, each show will leave you waiting for the next one.
Anna Katarina is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter coining the term “Baddie Americana,” blending alt-folk with indie-pop and hook-driven songwriting. Named one of Canada’s “Hottest Emerging Artists” by Exclaim!, she has built a growing international audience through consistent touring across North America and Europe. Her work has also received praise from Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon on SiriusXM’s The Spectrum.
Her sophomore album, While I Was Dreaming (October 3, 2025), explores themes of time, memory, and the tension between intention and lived experience, pairing vintage-inspired textures with emotionally honest songwriting.
In 2025, Anna completed a 17-date full-band tour across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, selling out multiple venues and earning extensive European press coverage, including a cover feature in Germany’s Cute and Dangerous magazine.
“She sings beautifully, I think it’s really, really something. The track [Riptide] is very beautifully put together, very classy, and the production is great. It’s creamy and welcoming, it wraps you up in fluff.”
— Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
Felisha and the Jazz Rejects is an electric four piece rock band from Vancouver BC established in May 2022 by lead singer Felisha Rolin. The band met in 2019 in the Jazz Studies program at Capilano University. They take what they learned in and outside of school fusing together genres such as Jazz, rock, punk, and even Latin grooves, creating their own genre-bending sound. Over the years together, the group has played over 75 shows, released their debut EP “Queen of Misfit Toys”, and 4 following singles, with no plan of slowing down anytime soon. They hope to inspire others through music the way that music continues to inspire them.
Drawing from my personal experiences, I write about my journey of growing into womanhood, building unshakable confidence, and having fun along the way. My songs are empowering, energetic, and sassy, offering a soundtrack of strength and connection for those who tune in.
Hello! My name is CHLO. I am a Filipina-Canadian R&B/Hip-Hop singer-songwriter with an unapologetic edge that makes me stand out in today’s music scene.
Raised in rural British Columbia, Talel McBriar weaves together sounds of traditional folk with alternative indie-rock. Guided by haunting melodies and dreamy vocals, Talel’s lyrics ruminate on the landscapes of both outer influences and inner thoughts. Originally performing in the duo Ella and Talel, their song October earned them the Kootenay Music Award for Best Original Roots Song in 2018, which marked the start of Talel’s growing presence in the BC indie-folk music scene. Since then, she has performed extensively across Canada, warming stages for some of her favourite artists and performing at folk festivals and showcases. Her upcoming debut record titled ‘Light the Hallway’ transforms big feelings and quiet contemplations into a collection of cathartic indie-folk ballads. Blending americana, indie rock, and traditional folk, Light the Hallway is set for release October 9th, 2026.
Connor Roff is a Vancouver-based queer singer-songwriter with Canadian-British roots and a richly layered folk sound. A classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist, his music draws on artists like Perfume Genius, Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright — intimate, soulful, and deeply personal.
His debut LP Brighter Than the Night (2024), funded by Creative BC’s Amplify Grant, earned features in over 100 publications including Exclaim!, CBC Radio play across Canada, and 45,000+ Spotify streams. He has performed at Tiny Lights Festival, opened for Andrew Cushin at The Biltmore, and played stages from Union Chapel in London (700 people) to Lululemon’s Shipyards Summer Session (400 people). His TikTok following grew over 16x in just 10 months, reflecting a fast-growing online presence across Canada, the US, and UK.
Also a yoga teacher and advocate for queer mental health, Connor is currently at work on his sophomore album, due in 2027.
Maya Jade is an emerging Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, BC. Her love for music began at a young age through choir, music programs, and piano studies, eventually evolving into songwriting and recording. Collaborating closely with her brother, who produces much of her music, Maya has developed a sound that blends smooth R&B and pop influences with heartfelt lyricism.
Known for her calming, sultry vocals, Maya draws inspiration from Sade, Cleo Sol, and Jorja Smith. Her music combines soulful melodies with contemporary production, creating an intimate and captivating listening experience.
With her first EP and new releases on the horizon, Maya Jade is establishing herself as a fresh and promising voice in Vancouver’s R&B scene.
Cold Fame is a British Columbia-based alt-rock duo led by vocalist Jodi Pederson and multi-instrumentalist Damian Anthony. Blending gritty rock energy with infectious hooks and explosive feminine power, the duo has quickly made its mark on Canadian radio. Their breakout single “Hello Reaper” spent nine weeks in the Canadian Alternative Radio Top 40, while “Jawbreaker” peaked at #13. Following the release of “Fight Like a Man” and a Western Canadian tour with Freeze The Fall (604 Records), Cold Fame continues to build momentum with major sync placements across Netflix, CBC, and Hallmark productions.
Since 2013, Paris Pick has been making waves with her signature blend of alt-yacht-pop-rock, earning her the nickname “The Yacht-Pop Princess.” Originally from Whitehorse, Yukon, and now based in BC, Pick has spent over a decade building a reputation for shimmering melodies, crunchy-cute guitar licks, and unforgettable hooks.
A seasoned performer, she has showcased at BreakOut West, POP Montreal, Liverpool Sound City (UK), Focus Wales (UK), and Tallinn Music Week (Estonia). Her songs balance nostalgia and modernity, pairing breezy ’70s-inspired vocals with sharp songwriting about love, growth, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
Pick has shared stages with Yukon Blonde, Apollo Suns, Brass Camel, Jennifer Castle, and Wax Mannequin, while earning praise from George Stroumboulopoulos and Ed the Sock. In recent years, she was named to Exclaim!’s New Faves list and earned a spot in CBC Music’s Toyota Searchlight Top 100. With a fourth album on the horizon thanks to funding from Creative BC’s Career Development Grant, Paris Pick continues charting her own course – successfully carving a niche of her own.
Canadian singer-songwriter Dani Black is making waves in the pop music landscape, backed by major songwriting competition wins and a rapidly growing fanbase. The Vancouver-based artist continues to establish herself as a formidable contemporary singer-songwriter talent with her January 2026 victory in MRG’s “ELEVATE” Music Project, which followed a win in the 2025 Great American Songwriting Contest’s pop category and achieving finalist status in the prestigious 2025 John Lennon Songwriting Competition.
Black’s live presence commands attention at both intimate venues and on major stages. She has headlined Vancouver’s iconic Biltmore Cabaret and graced the historic Vogue and Hollywood Theatres, while also connecting with audiences at community celebrations including the Granville Block Party, Shipyards Night Market, and the White Rock Sea Festival.
Black continues her momentum with her debut EP “Against My Better Judgement”. The contemporary and genre-bending project showcases her vocal prowess and compelling narrative style songwriting, further distinguishing her in the competitive pop landscape.
Revay is a Vancouver-based Punjabi Canadian R&B, soul, and pop artist. Her work blends contemporary songwriting with cultural storytelling, centering authenticity, emotional connection, and representation for Punjabi women in music. With 37 released tracks she is building a sustainable independent career. Most recently she released her latest project ‘Nasha’ – meaning intoxicated in Punjabi in collaboration with Grammy and Juno-winning producer Chin Injeti.
In a world full of micro-influencers, digital grifters, and spon-con hucksters,Vancouver trio Bealby Point offers a
simple promise: what you see is what you get. Formed in 2018, the indie rockers have built a sterling reputation thanks to their polished live performances and intricate, approachable songwriting. Drawing inspiration from modern acts including Spacey Jane, Teenage Dads, and Post Animal, the boys’ signature sound centers on big hooks, big solos, and even bigger grooves. Since 2022 they have played sold-out shows across Canada, including such notable venues as The Rickshaw Theatre, The Horseshoe Tavern, and The Pearl. With a renewed sense of purpose, Bealby Point wants nothing more than to sit back and enjoy the ride. To chase down a dream on that not-so-distant horizon. They hope you will join them.
Seven Taviss is an R&B-pop artist from Vancouver making melodic, emotionally honest music inspired by his own experiences overcoming obstacles and finding his voice. Growing up with learning disabilities, music became the place where he felt understood. Today, he writes and records his own songs, blending catchy modern melodies with soulful vocals and dynamic riffs. Seven’s goal is simple — to make music people can connect to, just like the artists who inspired him.