Canada’s leading artist development program
invites emerging artists to submit applications from now until June 30
TORONTO – Today, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music opened submissions for the 2022/2023 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program. Now in its eighth iteration, Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is designed to support emerging artists with opportunities to refine their craft and further develop their music careers.
The program (valued at over $100,000) includes:
- An all-inclusive trip to Toronto for an intensive mentorship week and industry showcase, hosted by Canada’s Music Incubator
- A trip to the 2023 JUNO Awards in Edmonton, AB, including transportation, accommodations, and a JUNO Weekend ticket package
- A chance for one of the artists to perform in front of the Canadian music industry at the exclusive JUNO Opening Night Awards in Edmonton during JUNO Week
- A cash prize and more
Submissions are now open and close at 5p.m. ET on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Artists can apply now at junomasterclass.ca. There are no submission fees associated with the program and all eligibility requirements can be found here.
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is developed in partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI). Each year, three artists are selected, and the experience aims to cultivate new talent through networking, collaboration opportunities, and curated mentorship. This year’s selected artists will be joined by the winner of CBC Music’s Toyota Searchlight to find the next great Canadian artist.
“We were thrilled to see JUNO Master Class alumni Haviah Mighty and Monowhales win their first JUNO Awards this year, ” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards. “It’s programs like the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class that help Canada’s music scene flourish and the goal is to maintain this momentum by providing emerging talent with the support they need to thrive.”
“To see the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program grow and evolve over the past eight years to what it is today is remarkable,” said Gary Slaight, CEO and President, Slaight Communications. “My father, Allan Slaight, dedicated so much of his life to supporting rising Canadian artists. Being able to help grow this next wave of musicians is an incredible honour and we encourage those from all corners of Canada to apply.”
All submissions will be assessed by a panel of music industry professionals and three artists will be short-listed by a Super Jury made up of key music industry leaders. The selected artists will be announced this fall. This year’s three short-listed artists will join the winner of CBC Music’s Toyota Searchlight 2022.
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class of 2021/2022 included 2022 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Ontario Creates performer Jesse Gold, dance pop artist RIELL, r&b singer-songwriter Sebastian Gaskin and the 2021 winner of CBC Music’s Toyota Searchlight competition, Jhyve.
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Social Media:
The JUNO Awards: @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards
#JUNOS / #JUNOMasterClass
Slaight Music: @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic
Canada’s Music Incubator: @CMincubator / @CMIncubator/ @CMIncubator
Digital Toolkit includes shareable graphics
About Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is an initiative that provides the crucial tools to help artists develop their careers, build their own sustainable business and become ‘JUNO ready’. The ‘Master Class’ includes a week-long customized artist development program co-developed with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music. This development program provides hands-on mentoring, networking and collaboration opportunities.
About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the JUNO Awards, a national celebration of Canadian music. In honour of this significant milestone, CARAS will launch exciting initiatives in the host city of Toronto, and nationally across our country. Each initiative will drive forward CARAS’ four key pillars: Educate through MusiCounts’ charitable programs and community resources, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In a time unlike any other, our sound connects and unites us. The JUNOS are proud to represent so many Canadian facets of music, performance and recording, distinctly, All Our Sound. For more information on the 50th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca.
About Allan Slaight (1931-2021)
A leading figure in the Canadian broadcasting industry for more than five decades, Allan Slaight began his career in the late 1940s as a news reporter/announcer in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Over the next decade, Slaight held announcing and news positions at various radio stations in Edmonton, Alberta.
In 1956, Slaight landed the General Sales Manager position at CHED radio station in Edmonton and two years later became Program Director of CHUM Radio in Toronto, and later, Vice President and General Manager in 1965. He is widely acknowledged to be the pioneer of Top 40 Radio in Canada. In 1977, he launched Q107, which was responsible for establishing dozens of Canadian artists through the ‘70s and ‘80s.
In 1985, he established Slaight Communications and acquired Standard Broadcasting Corporation Ltd., the largest privately owned multi-media company in Canada with 51 radio stations and two television stations across the country plus a retail marketing services company in 1985. Slaight was the sole owner of the corporation until 2007 when he sold the radio and broadcasting rights to Astral Media.
As one of Canada’s leading philanthropists, Allan Slaight held a strong belief in Canadian culture. He provided significant support to many of Canada’s leading cultural institutions including the AGO, and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Allan Slaight was a longtime supporter of the Shaw and Stratford Festivals and through The Slaight Family Foundation extended his support to small, aspiring arts organizations that cater to disadvantaged youth. Slaight Family support has helped trail blaze new cures in cancer and brain research and helped many social service agencies improve the lives of those less fortunate. Allan also contributed his own skills and expertise by serving on many charitable boards in the past including: Women’s College Hospital, the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Shaw Festival, York University and a former director of the TIFF. He was also instrumental in bringing the Toronto Raptors to Toronto and developing the Air Canada Centre.
A pioneer of rock and roll, Slaight is an inductee of the Broadcast Hall of Fame (1997), the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Commerce from Ryerson Polytechnic University (2000), was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2001), and was the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award (2005) for his contribution to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry.
About Slaight Music
Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,000+ emerging music entrepreneurs, of all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. CMI has provided over 10,000 hours of professional development programs and one-on-one mentorship combined. CMI Live works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities for artists. To date, CMI has programmed 600+ shows and paid over $1.2 million directly to artists. CMI also advocates on behalf of music sector infrastructure development and creative entrepreneurship education in high schools.
For more information or interview requests please contact:
Cherise Williams, rock-it promotions, [email protected], 416-953-1210