Long List for Sixth Annual Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class Announced
This year’s program extended to include more emerging artists
TORONTO – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music today announced the long list of artists for the 2020/2021 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class. Now in its sixth year, the program has been updated to include ten emerging Canadian artists. These changes were made in response to satisfy a much-needed demand for ongoing support to emerging artists impacted by industry shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year saw the largest number of applications in the program’s history, and as a result, Mentorship Week, developed in partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI), has evolved into two streams. Part one, taking place this Fall, will feature a week-long digital experience tailored to the mentorship needs of ten artists selected by an industry jury. Part two of Mentorship Week, in March 2021 will include three selected artists from the long list. 2020 CBC Music Searchlight competition winner, Shawnee Kish (Welland, ON), will join the artists in both parts of this year’s Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program.
The 2020/2021 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class Long List includes:
• Abigail Lapell – Toronto, ON
• Biawanna – Vancouver, BC
• Command Sisters – Spruce Grove, AB
• DESIIRE – Toronto, ON
• Desirée Dawson – White Rock, BC
• JJ Shiplett – Calgary, AB
• Laur Elle – Medicine Hat, AB
• MONOWHALES – Toronto, ON
• Myles Castello – Scarborough, ON
• Sara Diamond – Montreal, QC
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program is renowned for offering emerging artists with opportunities to hone their craft and further develop their music careers. For the first time in the program’s history, TD Bank Group will be offering a Financial Education session during Mentorship Week, to help provide financial insight and advice to artists on topics such as Starting & Operating a Small Business to Personal Finance, that will help artists succeed.
Program participants of the 2017/2018 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, Neon Dreams, recently won their first JUNO Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year sponsored by FACTOR, The Government of Canada, and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
