WELCOME TO OUR 2026 ARTISTS!
Serena Ryder
Toronto-based vocal powerhouse Serena Ryder is a platinum-selling artist adored by fans, peers and critics alike, in part due to her raw and earnest songwriting, and beautifully electric live performances. She has won seven prestigious JUNO Awards, including the 2022 Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for her record The Art of Falling Apart, which invites listeners to join her mental wellness journey and helps us understand the importance of sitting with the uncomfortable moments and the wisdom in their messages.
Serena has a unique ability to cross genres – from pop, to folk and roots, to Christmas and children’s music. Her diverse catalogue has earned her several accolades, including Canada’s Walk of Fame Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, the Margaret Trudeau Mental Health Advocacy Award, a Canada Folk Music Award and Canadian Screen Award for Achievement in Music–Original Song.
Serena is a mental-wellness advocate who has shared her own story of depression and neuro-divergency publicly, and speaks across the country to thousands of people each year. Her song “What I Wouldn’t Do” was reimagined for Kids Help Phone’s Feel Out Loud 2023 campaign — the largest mental health campaign in Canadian history. Serena also works with emerging musicians and industry professionals through her ArtHaus Community non profit, helping them develop creative, entrepreneurial and wellness skills needed to thrive in today’s music and media landscape.
MIMI O’BONSAWIN
(Pronounced: MEE-MEE O-BON-SA-WIN) is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario. She is French Canadian & W8banaki (Abénaki), a member of the Odanak First Nation. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi’s music embraces the beauty of the land. The ethereal quality of her sound whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics, weaving pop sensibilities with acoustic instrumentation. Layers of percussion and unexpected harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
As both artist and gardener, Mimi draws a deep connection between the two practices: “Making music and growing food are very much the same. They both start with a seed and, with proper care, can grow into a beautiful garden that we all can share.”
In May 2025, Mimi was awarded Solo Artist of the Year at the Trille Or Awards and toured Australia, performing at the Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals. She is currently working on her next album while preparing for a cross-Canada tour.
Mimi performs as a duo with her husband, Ryan Schurman, on drums and percussion, creating an intimate yet uplifting experience. Together, they invite audiences into their universe with a full-band sound that inspires dancing, singing, and joy. Reaching new audiences at home and abroad, Mimi stays true to this: “Music is medicine… it is something we all share. It is our garden.”