Whether you're a budding artist, a seasoned touring musician, or somewhere in between, take your career to the next level with a full day of professional development at Bayview Yards. This event offers creatives and music entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to sharpen their skills by attending more than 10 professional development activities including panel discussions, presentations, keynotes, roundtables, fireside chats and workshops. Activities will be held in two rooms and organized into three learning categories: “Developing 101,” “Emerging to Export aka 201” and “For Everyone.” Network with peers, engage with industry experts and funders and discover new resources at the Exhibitors’ Market. This is a space for you to ask questions, share ideas, connect and collaborate!

If the cost of attendance is a barrier, scholarships are available. Please contact assistant@ottawamic.com for more information.

Looking for a memorable experience? Keep the energy going by attending the CRANIUM showcase at the National Arts Centre from 8:00 PM onwards. Tickets and information are available here. 

SOUND x SUMMIT CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Networking Breakfast 

Refreshments provided by Farm Boy

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Introduction & Welcome

MORNING - Various Sessions (15 mins): Sign up at the morning registration for CONNEXION PRO — a drop-in networking event where artists can sign up for one-on-one chats with industry representatives from Factor Canada, Canadian Music Incubator, City of Ottawa Cultural Programs, Music Ontario, Arts Ottawa, Richard Flohil and Associates, Studio Le Pond , Sarah Porter Management and more.
Sign up in person, connect, and grow your career.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Soundcheck: A National Perspective on Music Industry Mental Health in Canada

Presenter: Catherine Harrison, Revelios [Mental Health Works] 
Type: Keynote Presentation
Audience: All

A powerful look at the current state of mental health across Canada’s music industry. Presented by lead researcher Catherine Harrison, President of Revelios [Mental Health Works], this keynote reveals key insights, alarming trends, and opportunities to open dialogue and foster a healthier, more sustainable music workforce

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Training Room, 2nd Floor) Creating Deal Terms 101 - Agreement and Contract Tips from an Entertainment Lawyer

Presenter: Byron Pascoe (Edwards Creative Law) 
Type: Presentation
Audience: Developing/101

Music lawyer Byron Pascoe will walk you through the process of discussing, negotiating, communicating and finalizing music business deal terms, including producing, composing, and distributing music and managing artists.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Finding Your Audience - Marketing in the Modern Music Industry

Moderator: Annalie Bonda 
Speakers: Mick Janzen (Janzen Boys), Nathan "Thrilla" Gravel (CapitalCityHipHop), Chelsea June & Jaaji (Twin Flames)
Type: Panel
Audience: All

Join us for an insightful panel discussion with dynamic artist-entrepreneur voices from the national music scene who will share their experiences and strategies on how to connect with the right audience in today's evolving music marketing landscape. Whether you're building your fans from scratch or looking to expand your reach, this session offers real-world insights into promotion, social media tips, ad tools, audience engagement and more.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Training Room, 2nd Floor) Rencontre Francophone for the Franco-Curious

Speakers: Anne Gutnecht (MIFO), Sophie Moreau-Parent (APCM), Pierre B. Gourde (Métamusique), Natalie Bernardin (Amixie, Unique FM) José Bertrand (Festival Franco Ontarien, Groupe JKB), Davy Gallant (Réalisateur à Studio Le Pond), Anique Granger (Auteure-compositrice-réalistrice) & more!
Type: Roundtable
Audience: All

Tu es un·e artiste ou réalisateur bilingue qui crée surtout en anglais, mais tu songes à explorer le français? Cette rencontre est pour toi! Viens échanger avec des professionnel·le·s de l’industrie musicale francophone : réalisateurs, festivals, organismes de soutien, et plus encore. Un moment relax, authentique et riche en découvertes — parfait pour poser tes questions, t’inspirer, apprendre… et peut-être même initier des collaborations futures.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Building Your Team: A Case Study

Moderator: Margaret McGuffin (CEO, Music Publishers Canada)
Speakers: Mia Kelly, Sarah Porter
Type: Fireside Chat
Audience: All

Over the last 6 years, Mia Kelly has released one EP and two full length albums and has toured all across Canada, and internationally. In 2024 she was awarded Young Performer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year a the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Mia and her manager Sarah Porter also have also worked together over the last few years to build out a business team including a publicist, lawyer, music publisher and distributor. Mia and Sarah will join Margaret McGuffin (CEO of Music Publishers Canada) to discuss this journey and what they have learned about the business of music.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Networking Lunch (Foundry, 1st Floor) with DJ Jay Function
Hot lunch provided by Nando's

AFTERNOON - Various Sessions (15 mins): Sign up at the afternoon registration for CONNEXION PRO — a drop-in networking event where artists can sign up for one-on-one chats with industry representatives from Factor Canada, Canadian Music Incubator, City of Ottawa Cultural Programs, Music Ontario, Arts Ottawa, Richard Flohil and Associates, Studio Le Pond , Sarah Porter Management and more.
Sign up in person, connect, and grow your career.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Stories from the Studio - Setting Yourself Up for Publishing, Co-Writing, and Song Camps

Moderator: Margaret McGuffin (CEO, Music Publishers Canada)
Speakers: Steve Foley (Owner/Operator, Audio Valley), Vincent DeGiorgio (CEO, Cymba Music Publishing), Taraneh Krispil (Naduh)
Type: Panel
Audience: Emerging/Advanced

Now more than ever Canadian non-performing songwriters and producers are landing high profile cuts around the world. Who organizes song camps and co-writes? How do producers and songwriters prepare for these sessions? What is the role of their music publisher and studio staff? Learn how to how to put your best foot forward as a creative collaborator in the songwriting world.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Training Room, 2nd Floor) Songwriting 101 - Double Experience vs AI: Who Will Win?

Presenter: Double Experience 
Type: Workshop
Audience: Developing/101

Double Experience are taking a break from touring the world to battle with neural networks... and they need YOUR help to write a masterpiece. Dive into a collaborative multi-genre group writing session and leave with tips, tricks, and techniques from an independent rock band whose songs garners millions of streams. 

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Metadata & Sync Workshop

Presenter: Michelle Allman-Esdaille (The HOOK Sync Group) 
Type: Workshop
Audience: Emerging/Advanced

This interactive workshop will explore the essential role metadata plays in sync licensing—from song delivery to PRO registration and pitching. Learn how getting your data right can make or break your chances of landing a placement.

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Training Room, 2nd floor) Music Business Planning 101 - Make Your Own Music Business Plan

Presenters: Brock Tinsley and Ian Nichols 
Type: Workshop
Audience: Developing/101

Ian Nichols and Brock Tinsley provide actionable strategies to help artists turn their passion into a sustainable career. Learn how to monetize your talent and navigate the business side of the arts with confidence, and leave this presentation with a blueprint you can immediately apply to your chosen career in the arts.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Foundry, 1st floor) Listen Up! What Immigrant Musicians Want You To Know

Keynote presenters: Matìas Recharte, Ivàn Escobar (Kune Music Hub)
Speakers: Clau Balladelli (Axé WorldFest), Edra Silva, Dumis9ne I 
Type: Presentation and Fireside Chat
Audience: All

KUNE’s mission focuses on fostering dignified, sustainable, and meaningful careers for immigrant musicians arriving in Canada. In 2024 KUNE conducted a participatory research project aimed at gathering knowledge, sharing diverse perspectives and envisioning collective solutions to the challenges of the community. In this workshop, we will share with participants why we conducted this research, what the process taught us about advocacy and collective power and what concrete actions we are taking resulting from what we learned. 

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (Training Room, 2nd floor) Focus Group: Caregivers in the Music Industry

Moderator: Margaret McGuffin (CEO, Music Publishers Canada) 
Type: Focus Group
Audience: Caregivers, parents, arts workers, leaders

Music Publishers Canada and Women in Music are undertaking a needs assessment to explore and identify the specific requirements of the music community related to the demands of caregiving. Your participation in this focus group will help us get a better understanding of what new supports or programs would benefit caregivers so that you can succeed in your music careers and as a caregiver. We invite those who have caregiver responsibilities and who work in the music sector in Canada as well as those who have exited their music careers due to caregiving demands. We define ‘caregivers’ as individuals who care for children, aging adults or those in need of personal or primary care.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Foundry, 1st Floor) Networking Mixer with DJ Jay Function
Refreshments provided by Farm Boy

Ticketing Notes: 

A single ticket grants you access to all sessions, activities and the Exhibitors’ Market throughout the day. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Half-day tickets are unfortunately not available at this time. 

*Please note that there will be downtown street closures on the mornings of Saturday, May 24th. For more information, please consult this Tamarack Race Weekend street closure map. 

Location:

Bayview Yards - 7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa

Why You’ll Want to Be There: 

• Free food!
• Launch your career forward with a full day of professional development
• Gain innovative insights and sharpen your skills with hands-on workshops and panel discussions.
• Connect directly with industry experts, funders and music organizations.
• Expand your network with fellow creatives and music entrepreneurs.

This event is supported by: Ontario Creates, FACTOR, Invest Ottawa, Music Publishers Canada, Women in Music Canada and the City of Ottawa.