MusiCounts is excited to welcome the six recipients of the 2020 MusiCounts Accelerate Scholarship to their virtual Mentorship Experience, which begins on May 25. 

Launched in 2018, the MusiCounts Accelerate Scholarship will help accelerate the careers of aspiring music professionals who are nearing the completion of their post-secondary studies in music. Through a financial award and unique mentorship experiences, this scholarship will have a significant and long-lasting impact on the lives of young people who are on track to build exciting careers in the music industry in the areas of music performance, production and business. 

2020 Recipients

• Lucas Dubovik (Humber College, ON) 
• Marigold Benoit (Memorial University, NL)
• Alex Bohn (McGill University, QC) 
• Raiaan Parekh (Nimbus Institute, BC) 
• Eric Bernhardt (Humber College, ON) 
• Shantel Heit (MacEwan University, AB) 

In addition to a $4,000 financial award, the six recipients will also participate in an intensive virtual music industry Mentorship Experience, which begins on May 25, 2021. Over the course of two weeks, the six recipients will participate in sessions and workshops with leaders in the Canadian music industry. From information sessions about what life is like as a music publisher, publicist, or entertainment lawyer, or workshops on how to pitch yourself, or take songs-in-progress to the next level, this Mentorship Experience will help equip the recipients of the MusiCounts Accelerate Scholarship with the skills and connections they need to jumpstart their careers in music.

Mentor Roster

• Rachel Cragg, Nettwerk Music Group
• Keziah Myers, ADVANCE
• Dr. Catherine Moore, University of Toronto Faculty of Music
• Jen Ochej, Freelance Tour Manager (Lights, Jessie Reyez, Ria Mae, etc)
• Laura Wilson-Lewis, Taylor Oballa Murray Leland LLP
• Allan Reid, CARAS, The JUNO Awards, & MusiCounts
• Matt Webb, Marianas Trench
• Sandy Pandya, Arthaus Music & Pandyamonium Artist Management
• Stefanie Purificati, APA Canada
• Erin Benjamin, Canadian Live Music Association
• Nancy Calderon, LyricFind
• Jamelia Campbell, The Orchard
• Nathan Wizniak & Anne Strik, Spotify
• DJ Clymaxxx
• Jackie Dean, Music Canada & Connect Music Licensing
• Margaret McGuffin, Music Publishers Canada
• Kim Temple, High Priestess Publishing