Massey Hall Announces Wyatt C. Louis, LOV and Willows as 2026 Artists In Residence at Allied Music Centre
Now in its second year, the program offers Indigenous artists industry mentorships and creative opportunities over the course of a full year at the home of the iconic Toronto concert hall.
Wyatt C. Louis
The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall has announced Wyatt C. Louis, LOV and Willows as its 2026 Artists In Residence at Allied Music Centre.
This is the second year of the program, which focuses upon Indigenous artists. The year-long residency will officially commence in March and it offers each artist ongoing support through industry mentorship, studio and facilities access, live performance opportunities, creative collaboration and professional development. These activities all take place across multiple creative spaces within Allied Music Centre, the home of iconic Toronto concert venue Massey Hall.
Wyatt C. Louis is an award-winning roots-oriented singer-songwriter based in Calgary. Their debut album Chandler (named after their middle name) was released on Royal Mountain Records, featuring material created during their quiet, contemplative days of pandemic lockdown. In Sept. 2025, Louis won two Western Canadian Music Awards, as breakout artist of the year and Indigenous artist of the year. Also last year, they made the Polaris Music Prize Long List for Chandler.
LOV is a soulful singer-songwriter also hailing from Treaty 6 Territory and she has made a real mark with her independent singles, "Mama," Matriarch" and "Relate." Together, they have generated over 700,000 streams and 3 million TikTok views, and “Mama” hit No. 1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown. LOV has been working closely with renowned Montréal-based producer Connor Seidel (Charlotte Cardin, Half Moon Run, Katie Tupper).
Willows is the alter ego of Geneviève Toupin, a Red River Métis and Franco-Manitoban artist from the Prairies, now based in Montreal. Her folk-rooted music moves fluidly between French, English, and Michif. A 2014 self-titled debut album and 2021 EP The Hills brought her attention, and her 2023 album, Maison vent, showcased her ability as a storyteller. Willows won the Trille Or Award for best folk album in 2025 and has earned nominations at the GAMIQ awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Toupin is a founding member of the experimental-folk group CHANCES and has composed for film.
"I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in this residency and to have the time and space to explore and dream up new music," says Willows. "Being able to do that within such a supportive creative environment is a real gift.”
The inaugural residency' artists continue to work at Allied Music Centre, with recent recordings and upcoming performances offering a clear view of the program’s influence. Sebastian Gaskin recently released a live session video filmed on the Allan Slaight Stage at Massey Hall, Julian Taylor returns to TD Music Hall this February,and Celeigh Cardinal will perform at TD Music Hall this June.
The Artist in Residence program is supported by a donor advised fund with Canada Gives. The program is developed in consultation with members of the Indigenous music community, including the Indigenous Music Office, sākihiwē festival, Tkaronto Music Festival and the International Indigenous Music Summit.
