Grand prize winner Sarah Felker of Guelph, Ontario, receives $25,000, studio time and mentorship from members of The Tragically Hip and Triumph.
Winners to perform at the Canada’s Walk of Fame Festival Emerging Artists Showcase at David Pecaut Square from September 22 to 24.
(Toronto, ON) August 26, 2014 – Canada’s Walk of Fame, in partnership with National Premier Partner RBC, announced 21-year-old singer/songwriter Sarah Felker from Guelph, Ontario, who goes by the artist name NEFE is the Grand Prize winner of the 2014 RBC Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Prize, part of Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artists Programs. With total prize values reaching more than $100,000, seven winners from across Canada were selected for this initiative that aims to support the next generation of gifted Canadian musicians. This prize is supported by the RBC Foundation through the RBC Emerging Artists Project.
“We received hundreds of submissions from gifted musicians from coast-to-coast, reflecting the remarkably high calibre of emerging talent in Canada,” said Melanie Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Canada’s Walk of Fame. “We are proud to be able to contribute to the professional development of these talented young musicians.”
The winners of this year’s RBC Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Prize are:
- Grand Prize Winner: NEFE of Guelph, ON
- Second Prize Winner: Angelique Francis of Kanata, ON
- Finalist: Alessandra Longshaw of Brampton, ON
- Finalist: The Command Sisters of Spruce Grove, AB
- Finalist: Jane Baker of Grimsby, ON
- Finalist: Luka Mihajlovic of Unionville, ON
- Finalist: Quinn Bachand of Victoria, BC
NEFE is a blues and pop-style singer/songwriter who is working on her first CD. In 2010, she was awarded the “Damn Good” award for excellence in songwriting from the Songstudio Songwriters’ Workshop in Toronto. As the Grand Prize winner of the RBC Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Prize, she will receive a cash prize of $25,000 along with performance opportunities at Canada’s Walk of Fame events. NEFE will also receive 20 hours of private studio time at Metalworks Studio with an appointed producer, mentored by Rik Emmett and Gil Moore of Triumph; 10 hours of studio time in The Tragically Hip’s private studio, mentored by Gord Sinclair; album cover artwork design by Eric McBain Creative as well as introductions to music industry agents and executives.
The second prize winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, and the additional five finalists will each receive $1,000. All winners will have the chance to perform during the Canada’s Walk of Fame Festival’s emerging artist showcase and free programming at David Pecaut Square from September 22 to 24.
In addition, new this year, they will be invited to participate in a private music industry career development mentorship session hosted by Universal Music Canada. The approximate value of the prize in total is $100,000 CDN.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including members of Canada’s Walk of Fame senior management team and Board of Directors, as well as prominent music industry executives and artists, including Randy Lennox, Talent Chair, Canada’s Walk of Fame Board of Directors and President and CEO, Universal Music Canada.
“Universal Music Canada is honoured to once again be a part of Canada’s Walk of Fame and the RBC Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Prize,” commented Randy Lennox, Talent Chair, Canada’s Walk of Fame Board of Directors and President and CEO, Universal Music Canada. “Music is part of the Canadian fabric; it helps define who we are as a nation, and the immensely talented NEFE is an artist developing her uniquely Canadian voice.”
“All seven winners have shown incredible talent and determination, and have promising futures ahead of them. RBC is honoured to contribute to their success in the professional world through this initiative,” said Shari Austin, Vice President, RBC Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director, RBC Foundation. “As part of our ongoing commitment to providing opportunities and funding to up-and-coming artists, we are proud to partner with Canada’s Walk of Fame on this Prize.”
The RBC Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Prize is part of a series of national programs and events that include the Canada’s Walk of Fame Red Carpet and Star Unveilings Ceremony, the Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee Charity Ball and the Canada’s Walk of Fame televised show which will be broadcast nationally on Global, later this year (date and time tbc).