The summer, renowned percussion program KoSA, which is founded and run by Canadian percussionist Aldo Mazza, is heading to the southern coast of Italy for KoSA  Calabria on July 21-24, 2016.

Attendees will immerse themselves in Southern Italian drumming, percussion, and rhythms in the scenic seaside village of Locri, Italy. The authentic natural setting of this beautiful southern Italian region is conducive to this unparalleled hands-on cultural learning experience, say organizers.

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CM Funding Program Survey

Canadian Musician surveyed musicians across the country to find out their experience, knowledge, and opinions on government funding programs for musicians and music businesses/organizations. Here are the results…

Which of the following funding bodies for musicians and music businesses/organizations are you familiar with (select all that apply):

Canada Music Fund (CMF) – Music Entrepreneur: Aid to Canadian Music Industry National Service Organizations   37%

FACTOR        75%

Radio Starmaker Fund    27%

MuchFACT      28%

I am not familiar with any of the above  15%

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Early bird registration is now open for the 29th annual Folk Alliance International Conference. The five-day conference — to be held February 15-19, 2017 in Kansas City, MO — draws 2,500 registrants from 17 countries to the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry. The conference is known for its community atmosphere, business networking opportunities, and as an industry hotspot for new talent discovery. The discounted early bird rate ends on August 31, 2016.

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The JUNO Awards and Slaight Music have announced the return of The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class artist development program. Submissions for this year’s Master Class are now being accepted through to June 30 at 5 p.m. ET.

This opportunity will recognize three talented Canadian artists or groups – as selected by the Super Jury – that are ready for the next step in their careers. The program aims to provide each participant with “essential tools, unique opportunities, and priceless connections” to amplify their careers and to help them on their journey to the JUNO Awards stage. The Master Class includes a week-long customized artist development program co-developed with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music. Taking place in Toronto, this development program provides hands-on mentoring, education, skills training, development, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Submissions are free and require an active CARAS Academy Delegate endorsement.

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Contributed by Byron Pascoe, Edwards PC, Creative Law

Being a musician is a business. One way to increase your likelihood of having a sustainable career as a musician is through the support of a record label, including things like recording funds, distribution, and promotion.

Resources such as Canadian Musician are great to help artists attract label attention, discover what the labels are looking for from artists, and find an optimal fit for the artist-label partnership. If you have what they’re looking for and they’re the right partner for your needs and aspirations, you’re that much closer to signing on the dotted line.

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The third annual CBC Music Festival kicked off the summer with a bang as thousands of fans of Canadian music were treated to a stack billed and some hot sun on Saturday.

Hey Rosetta! closed out the day at the TD Echo Beach site near downtown Toronto, but before that fans made trips between the two stages (stopping at food trucks in between) to see Alvvays, Tanya Tagaq, The New Pornographers, Tokyo Police Club, Maestro Fresh Wes, John River, Terra Lightfoot, and more.

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Canadian Musician writer Samantha Everts & photographer Mark Matusoff braved the sweltering heat on Saturday, May 28th, to take in the CBC Music Festival at Toronto’s Echo Beach. Check out Sam’s thoughts & Mark’s shots.

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A lineup of celebrated guitar players and Canadian talent performed at Massey Hall on May 27th, 2016 as a tribute to late blues legend Jeff Healey. Canadian Musician’s Hal Rodriguez was onsite to take in the magic that was Healey’s 50th Celebration. Photos by Mark Gommer.

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This Friday, May 27^th, at Massey Hall in Toronto an incredible line-up of Jeff Healey’s friends and peers will take the stage in celebration of what would have been Healey’s 50^th birthday.  Fans are encouraged to join this celebration of the life and legacy of the legendary, Canadian music icon and one of Toronto’s favourite sons – Jeff Healey.

All proceeds from this event are being donated to World Eye Cancer Hope. World Eye Cancer Hope is a charity designated by the Jeff Healey Estate that does amazing work with childhood retinoblastoma – the same cancer that took Jeff’s sight.

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The 2016 CBC Searchlight Contest winner was revealed Sunday night during a televised special on CBC Television… and the winner is Desirée Dawson from the Vancouver area. Dawson beat out the other final four contestants: PEI’s Dylan Menzie and Ontario’s Andi and popular vote winner Teo Milea. The final winner was decided by a celebrity panel of Dallas Smith, Sarah Blackwood off Walk of the Earth, and Maestro Fresh Wes.

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