New Brunswick's own Jaryd Stanley takes the Grand Prize in Canada's Walk of Fame 2017 Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program
The Second Prize Winner and Finalists hail from Burlington, ON; St. John's, NL; Toronto, ON; and Vancouver, BC
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TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Chosen by a selection committee of music industry experts, Canada's Walk of Fame announced today that Jaryd Stanley of Rothesay, NB is the Grand Prize winner of its 5th annual Emerging Artists Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC, as part of Canada's Walk of Fame Emerging Artists Programs and Scholarships. The program, valued at more than $100,000, provides musicians with the opportunity to grow and develop their skills and industry connections, and take their budding music careers to the next level.
Seven talented finalists were selected from more than 380 hopefuls from coast-to-coast who submitted applications that ranged across all genres of music.
The winners and finalists of this year's Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC are:
Grand Prize Winner: Jaryd Stanley – Rothesay, NB
Second Prize Winner: wells – Toronto, ON
Finalist: Birds of Bellwoods – Toronto, ON
Finalist: The Redhill Valleys – Burlington, ON
Finalist: Rough Hands – St. John`s, NL
Finalist: Sarah Jickling and Her Good Bad Luck – Vancouver, BC
Finalist: Wolf Saga – Toronto, ON
"Our country has had such an impact on the global music stage, and it's exciting to see the next generation of musicians who are eager to prove themselves on that stage," said Jeffrey Latimer, Chief Executive Officer, Canada's Walk of Fame. "Our Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC is an ideal platform for 7 of Canada's future music stars to gain access to the tools and opportunities that will help take them to the next level."
As the Grand Prize winner, Stanley will receive $25,000, private studio recording time, introduction to at least one established music artist, introductions to music industry executives, a public performance opportunity at an upcoming Canada's Walk of Fame event, and album cover artwork design.
The 24-year-old singer-songwriter who hails from Rothesay, NB, and recently relocated to Toronto, embodies the true spirit of an emerging artist. Mixing pop, soul, folk and a host of other musical influences, he seeks to inspire and create a positive message for anyone listening to his music.
"Music is and has always been my therapy. I make music in the hope that people can find something in it, just as I have. Whether that's inspiration, relatable experiences, or making them feel something they haven't felt before, that's the goal. If by sharing my own story I can help someone with what they're going through, brighten their day or get them up on the dance floor forgetting their worries, I've done my job," says Stanley.
A cash prize of $7,000 will be awarded to Toronto-based artist wells for Second Prize and cash prizes of $1,200 each will be given to the five Finalists, in addition to an opportunity to perform publicly at a Canada's Walk of Fame event. All artists will be invited to participate in music industry career development sessions.
RBC's support of the Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program is part of their focus on helping artists in the early stages of their careers through the RBC Emerging Artists Project.
"For many hopeful musicians, catching a break in the music industry is challenging, and that's why we're thrilled to support, through the RBC Emerging Artist program, young Canadian artists as they advance on their career journey," said Valerie Chort, Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. "This year, RBC and Canada's Walk of Fame are celebrating five successful years of working together to shape the future of Canadian artists. Congratulations to all 2017 winners - your incredible passion, talent and excitement are truly inspiring."
A panel of judges including members of Canada's Walk of Fame's senior management team and Board of Directors, as well as prominent music industry executives selected the winners.
The Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC is part of Canada's Walk of Fame Emerging Artists Programs and Scholarships and a series of national programs and events that include the Canada's Walk of Fame televised show, which is broadcast nationally on Global.
Since its inception in 2013, the Program has ignited the careers of its Grand Prize Winners including last year's recipient, Ayaz V. who has credited his win as a "game-changer". For the first time in the program's history, the Grand Prize Winner appeared on the 2016 Canada's Walk of Fame national broadcast on Global. He later opened for Canadian singer-songwriter Jonathan Roy in Toronto, and performed at Jamie Oliver's renowned "The Big Feastival" this summer.
2015 Grand Prize Winners, Ivory Hours, have embarked on two national tours since being awarded the Grand Prize and recently self-released their sophomore album Dreamworld in June 2017. NEFE, the 2014 Grand Prize Winner, opened for Canadian icon Burton Cummings during his Canada's Walk of Fame Festival performance at Massey Hall and went on to sign a recording contract with Universal Music Canada; and the inaugural Grand Prize Winner, Taylor Kurta, performed for Canadian musical heavyweights such as Bob Ezrin, David Foster, Carly Rae Jepsen and Hedley, as part of her prizing.
Canada's Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2017 National Sponsors: Cineplex Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Slaight Communications and Air Canada as well as our 2017 Broadcast Partner: Global.
About Canada's Walk of Fame
Founded in 1998 by Peter Soumalias, in partnership with Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Gary Slaight, Canada's Walk of Fame recognizes and celebrates Canadians who excel in their respective fields, fuelling our sense of Canadian pride and inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps. Canada's Walk of Fame presents year-round events and programs to educate and foster pride among Canadians, support Canadian culture and provide a platform for emerging talent in Canada. Programs include a festival featuring some of Canada's most popular and iconic
performers, as well as emerging artists from across the country, the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour recognizing Canadians making a difference in their community, the Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program, supported by RBC, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. To date, 167 stars recognizing remarkable Canadians have a permanent place of tribute on Canada's Walk of Fame in the streets of Toronto's Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees along with more information on Canada's Walk of Fame visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com.
Canada's Walk of Fame became a national registered charity in 2012. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have approximately 81,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.
RBC helps communities prosper, supporting a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. For more information please see: http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/.
SOURCE Canada's Walk of Fame
Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, 416-628-5609 / [email protected]; Adrienne Kakoullis, Holmes PR, 416-628-5610 / [email protected]; Michelle Yao, Senior Manager, Brand Communications, RBC, 647-618-3792 / [email protected]
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