SOCAN Foundation Launches Incubator Program

By Nick Krewen

Twenty people have been selected for the inaugural SOCAN Foundation program called the TD Creative Entrepreneurial Incubator.

The brainchild of SOCAN Foundation Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews,  the program - sponsored by TD Bank - enables  20 music creators as far east as Nova Scotia and as far west as British Columbia  to receive $3000 cash grants, mentorship by a music industry professional and access to a webinar series designed to foster the creators’ entrepreneurial spirit. Webinar topics include financial literacy, digital media, management, publishing and more. 

The top five that demonstrate the most significant potential will receive a three-day residency which includes studio time at Slaight Music, a showcase and mentorship from a songwriter chosen by the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

The residency is sponsored by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the SOCAN Foundation, Slaight Music and Newcap Radio.

Aspiring artists must be 29 and under, demonstrate their artistic merit through original works and their dedication to establishing a long-term career, be unsigned and unpublished and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to qualify.

These 20 who met the criteria and more in  2018 are:

Julie Austin, Ontario

Laura Babin Rioux, Quebec

James Bailey, Ontario

Justin Boissonault, Ontario

Marvin Chan, Saskatchewan

Kassandra Clack, British Columbia

Desiree Dawson, British Columbia

Domanique Grant, Ontario

Aliah Guerra, Quebec

Madmoud Ismail, Ontario

Bella Krys, Ontario

Dante Leon, Ontario

Madeline Ritter, Ontario

Jon Saldanha, British Columbia

Dave Sampson, Nova Scotia

Connor Seidel, Quebec

Linnea Siggelkow, Ontario

Annie Sumi, Ontario

Vincent Turcotte, Quebec

Joanna Worthington, Ontario: