Mamselle Ruiz is a Canadian-Mexican-songwriter settled in Montréal, Québec since 2010. Festive, romantic, infused with jazz and Latin American rhythms, her music is influenced by her own North-South mix of cultures. Mamselle was awarded several prizes in Canada, she is named Radio-Canada’s world music “Revelation” for 2013-2014. Known for her magnetic stage presence, raw emotional delivery, her charisma allowed her to sing for several show of famous Cirque du Soleil.

Autrice-compositrice-interprète québéco-mexicaine établie à Montréal depuis 2010. Sa voix unique nous mène en voyage à travers des rythmes latino-américains et de ses influences nord-américaines. Nominée à l’Adisq en 2018, Révélation Radio-Canada en 2014, Mamselle s’est produite des centaines de fois en Amérique du nord et a reçu un lot considérable de distinctions au Canada. Reconnue pour son aisance sur scène et son émotivité à fleur de peau, la chanteuse a également eu l’honneur de prêter sa voix à plusieurs spectacles du renommé Cirque du Soleil.

Anne-Marie Williot is a trilingual multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter hailing from rural Quebec, and now based in Winnipeg. A honed poet and performer, she writes and sings in a deliciously melodic blend of old and new sounds, often evocative of candle-lit cafes. In recent years, the accordion has become her main instrument. In 2020, she released her latest album, entitled Cheval Géant.

Anne-Marie Williot est une musicienne et auteure-compositrice trilingue originaire de la campagne québécoise et désormais basée à Winnipeg. Poète et interprète aguerrie, elle écrit et chante dans un mélange délicieusement mélodique de sonorités anciennes et contemporaines, souvent évoquant l’ambiance des cafés à la lueur des bougies. Ces dernières années, l’accordéon est devenu son instrument principal. En 2020, elle a sorti son dernier album intitulé “Cheval Géant”

Kate, Executive Director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (SPCW), also serves on Immigration Partnership Winnipeg’s Council (IPW). SPCW hosts IPW and provides administrative support. Previously, she worked at the John Howard Society of Manitoba, where she gained insights into how poverty and social disparities impact individuals, families, communities, and government systems. Kate has experience in Canada’s North, including leadership as the Executive Director of the Law Society of Nunavut in Iqaluit and collaboration with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. in Thompson. She shares SPCW’s commitment to community-led initiatives addressing inequity and its social consequences.

Carine, a bilingual Christian artist and songwriter originally from Ivory Coast, now calls Winnipeg her home. With a musical gift inherited through generations, she began singing passionately at a young age. Music is central in her life, leading her to compose her first song at just fifteen and many more since. Carine’s diverse musical influences, from Pop Rock to French/Afro Contemporary and Gospel, give her a distinctive tone. Her songs aim to inspire self-identity, strength, kindness, beauty, and love in people.

Carine, artiste et auteure-compositrice chrétienne bilingue originaire de la Côte d’Ivoire, considère désormais Winnipeg comme chez elle depuis 2007. Dotée d’un don musical transmis à travers les générations, elle a commencé à chanter avec passion dès son plus jeune âge. La musique occupe une place centrale dans sa vie, l’amenant à composer sa première chanson à seulement quinze ans, et bien d’autres depuis. Les influences musicales variées de Carine, du Pop Rock au Contemporain Français/Afro et au Gospel, lui confèrent une tonalité distinctive. Ses chansons visent à inspirer l’identité personnelle, la force, la gentillesse, la beauté et l’amour chez les gens.

From his formative years spent in tropical northern Australia to a globe-spanning music career, Ben Lahring has established himself as a captivating performer with “absolutely beautiful” interpretations (Liona Boyd). His latest album, Driftwood, has been reviewed to high acclaim as “a work of originality and shimmering beauty” (Vivascene) and his solo concerts always include meaningful original compositions in addition to musical gems from places he’s lived and traveled. 

Usman Tahir Jutt, a dedicated father, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, focuses on community development and supporting fellow Albertans amidst a dynamic environment. Named Calgarian of the Year in 2023, Usman’s journey began when he acquired a struggling gas station during his university days. His success led to founding a consultancy serving major clients like Shell Canada, Parkland Fuel, and Husky Energy.

After six years as a Husky Energy retailer, Usman ventured into McDonald’s ownership in 2013, now overseeing twenty restaurants, a significant employer for young people in Southern Alberta. He manages his McDonald’s franchisees through Chirp Foods Inc., a Calgary-based company dedicated to enhancing the region. Additionally, Usman serves as Chairman of the Calgary Surge, uniting diverse communities through professional basketball.

Dr. Riva Symko is Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Curator of Canadian Art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She also teaches art history courses at both the University of Winnipeg, and the University of Manitoba. Her primary areas of exhibition development and research include twentieth and twenty-first century art, Canadian art, art and climate change, copyright law and the doctrines of fair use/fair dealing, as well as critical and cultural theory including feminist theory, theories of authenticity and originality, historiography, and decolonization pedagogy and methodology.

Serbian-born Canadian mezzo-soprano Martina Govednik is celebrating 20 years of her life in Canada this year! She moved to Montreal in 2003, where she obtained Master’s in Classical Voice at the McGill Schulich School of Music and has since been a presence on opera and concert stages throughout Canada and Europe.

Since moving to Vancouver in 2015, Martina has been a regular with the Vancouver Opera, Opera Kelowna and Vancouver Chamber Choir. She is also dedicated to cultivating Serbian traditional music and enjoys perfoming other musical styles, such as jazz, rock, ambiental.

Rebecca Irani is a global communications strategist with over 18 years of experience in the international development/NGO, non-profit, private, and public sectors. She displays a passion for issues including education, diversity, inclusion, social justice, and sustainability.

Madison, is a versatile harpist specializing in Celtic, classical, and electric harp music. Their passion lies in pushing the boundaries of harp performance and exploring innovative interdisciplinary approaches. Madison earned a Bachelor’s degree in Orchestral Performance from UBC and primarily studied under Elizabeth Volpé-Bligh. They also teach at the Samantha Ballard Harp Studio, promoting well-being and nurturing creativity in the practice room.