What is the mentorship program?
The CIRAA Mentorship Program aims to build a network of successful independent musicians across Canada to offer mentoring sessions to up and coming Canadian independent artists. These in-depth mentoring sessions will give artists the coveted opportunity to receive 15 hrs of personalized, one-to-one advice from a leading music industry professional over a three-month period.

Topics on which participants will be able to receive guidance will vary greatly. We want to leave this as open as possible, to allow the mentor and mentee to find the path that they see most fit. 

Why are we doing it?
This mentorship program will help today’s independent recording artists navigate the rapidly changing music industry paradigm by providing them with direct access to those who can share valuable insight regarding the experiences that today’s up-and-coming artists are facing. The new mentorship program aims to be a relationship building experience between mentor and mentee.

 

Great Lake Swimmers (Bret Higgins) - May 1st - July 31st
Applications Open Until April 20th

 Bassist Bret Higgins performs regularly with: Great Lake Swimmers,
 Belle Starr, Beyond The Pale, and more. He has toured throughout the world,
 and career highlights include playing for: The Junos, The Olympics,
 The Governor General’s Awards, and at Carnegie Hall. He can offer advice
 on touring, grants, best business practices, recording, and performing. 

The Trews (John-Angus MacDonald) - June 1st - August 31st
Applications Open Until May 12th

 
 John-Angus is the guitarist for The Trews and has enjoyed many years
 of success with the band. They’ve had lots of national radio play,
 had a #1 MuchMusic video, 5 Juno nominations, 4 EMCA wins,
 and 3 Independent Music Awards wins. John-Angus has lots of
 knowledge to share, including tips on touring, working together
 as a band, and production.

Past Mentors

Austra (Dorian Wolf) - January 1st - March 31st
Apps Closed

 Austra is a Canadian electronic music band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in
 2009. The band consists of Dorian Wolf (bass), Katie Stelmanis (vocals,
 keyboards), and Maya Postepski (drums). Austra's touring lineup includes
 twin backing singers Sari and Romy Lightman, and Ryan Wonsiak. In July  
 2011 their debut album Feel It Break was shortlisted for the Polaris Music  
 Prize.



Jeremy Fisher - February 1st - April 30th
Apps Closed

Two-time Juno nominee Jeremy Fisher may be best known for his genuine 
 and instinctive live performance. Fans are continually engaged by his
 effortless storytelling. Fisher’s DIY attitude infuses his touring ethos and
 replicates itself in the strong visual component of his music, for which he
 has also become renowned. 

Peter Katz - March 1st - May 31st
Apps Closed
 
Peter Katz captivates listeners with his unique brand of contemporary folk
music. Playing 150+ dates a year, Katz’s remarkable grassroots efforts
have resulted in him selling over 15,000 albums. Peter’s 2012 release
debuted at #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts, and his
CD/DVD “Live at The Music Gallery” earned him a JUNO nomination for
Music DVD of the Year.

The Good Lovelies (Kerri Ough) - April 1st - June 30th
Apps Closed

 Kerri Ough is a Juno Award-winning songwriter based 
 in Toronto. A founding member of Canadian folk-trio,
 The Good Lovelies, she has performed around the 
 world, released several critically acclaimed albums, 
 and appeared as a backing vocalist on numerous recordings. 
 Kerri is excited to release her first solo album this winter.

How to register:

Please email mentorship@ciraa.ca with your application for the CIRAA Mentorship program
sponsored by OAC and SiriusXM with the subject line “Mentorship Application”.

CIRAA Mentorship Program Application Instructions 
As always, CIRAA’s application process is simple. 

1) The basic requirements to apply for a mentorship are:

-Be a member of CIRAA (Not a member? Join Here )

-Have performed 10 shows in the last year

-Have released at least one album or EP

Please detail your evidence of the basic requirements in the clearest and easiest way possible on one page.

2) Send a 1 page letter making your pitch.

CIRAA will be selecting the top 3 to 5 applications and forwarding them to the mentor for the final decision.
So make your argument about where your career is, why you need this mentorship and why you believe this
mentor is a good match for you as a mentee.

3) E-mail your application to mentorship@ciraa.ca with the following info:

          -Subject: Application for Mentorship with “name of the mentor”

          -Include links to your social media/online presence

          -Attach your 1 page Basic Requirements and 1 page Pitch

Failure to follow these instructions will likely disqualify your application.
If you have any questions, feel free to email gaby@ciraa.ca with your questions.