In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, we’re shining a light on some of the breakout talents behind this year’s JUNO Awards. These first-time nominees, spanning from classical piano to electronic beats, aren’t just earning industry acclaim, they’re pushing Canadian music in bold, exciting directions. Get to know the rising stars who made a big impression at the 2025 JUNOS:
Tony Ann is a Canadian pianist and composer whose instrumental music earned him a 2025 JUNO nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. A classically trained player who began at age 12, Tony Ann first gained fame online with viral piano videos and creative covers. His expressive originals, often created using the alphabet mapped across his keyboard, struck a chord on social media, even catching the attention of pop duo The Chainsmokers, whom he later collaborated with. Now, with his own EPs released and a JUNO nod under his belt, Tony Ann is translating internet buzz into industry recognition.
Toronto-based DJ and producer Ciel has been making waves on global dance floors with her adventurous electronic style. Known offstage as Cindy Li, Ciel wears many hats, DJ, label boss of Parallel Minds, and radio host, all with a reputation for pushing sonic boundaries. Her track “Bamboo” exemplifies her boundary-blurring approach, fusing hypnotic breakbeats with dreamy melodies and earning the 2025 JUNO Award for Underground Dance Single of the Year. Whether spinning a late-night techno set or crafting her own productions, Ciel’s proof that the underground can rise to the spotlight.
Aaron Paris is a behind-the-scenes force turning heads in the industry. This Canadian producer’s genre-hopping resume spanning pop, hip-hop, and R&B earned him his first ever JUNO nomination for Jack Richardson Producer of the Year. From co-writing and co-producing the opening track on Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine to crafting beats for Yeat, PartyNextDoor, Loony, and Sean Leon, Aaron’s fingerprints are all over some of today’s most exciting music. He most recently flexed his classical chops on Re/Worked: The Greedy Sessions, turning Tate McRae’s pop smash “greedy” into a sweeping orchestral reimagining.
Ginger Beef is an instrumental pop duo made up of husband-and-wife team Jiajia Li, an award-winning flutist, and Warren Tse (aka “MSG”), a seasoned producer and multi-instrumentalist. Li seamlessly blends traditional Chinese bamboo flutes with Western classical styles, while MSG lays down lush synths, keys, and guitar hooks. Together, they create high-energy tracks that balance dazzling instrumentals with deep groove. Their self-titled debut earned a JUNO nomination for Instrumental Album of the Year, proving just how fun and fresh instrumental music can be.
Jonita Gandhi’s voice has already made her a star across the globe, but her 2025 JUNO nomination for South Asian Recording of the Year marked a special moment in her Canadian journey. Jonita initially rose to fame as a playback singer in Bollywood and as a YouTube sensation known for multilingual covers. In 2024, she successfully launched herself as a solo pop artist with the independent EP Love Like That. Blending South Asian melodic nuances with contemporary R&B and pop production, Jonita is at the forefront of a new wave of diasporic pop talent reshaping Canadian music.
As the bassist and frontwoman of Montreal punk band NOBRO, Kathryn McCaughey helped lead the charge on Set Your Pussy Free, the 2025 JUNO Award winner for Rock Album of the Year. Known for their explosive live shows and gritty, unapologetic attitude, NOBRO channels classic punk energy with a modern edge fueled by their commitment to maintaining their female identity and creating space for women in rock. Whether onstage or on record, McCaughey’s fearless spirit and musical prowess are helping write a bold new chapter for Canadian rock.
Featured image: Ciel. Photo Credit: CARAS/FUZE Reps/Evaan Kheraj
