Our Staff

Renowned Franco-Ontarian artist Melanie Brulée is not only a celebrated performer but also a dedicated community leader and advocate for mental health. Born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario, Melanie's musical journey began humbly, busking on the streets of Australia. Now, as the Executive Director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, she's taking a step back from the spotlight to focus on connecting, building, and nurturing Ottawa's music ecosystem.

With a wealth of experience in performance, touring, and various roles within the music industry, Melanie’s commitment to collaboration and advocacy is evident in her founding of a women-led collective of songwriters and her active involvement in fundraising and speaking engagements for mental health organizations. Additionally, Melanie has developed workshops focused on empowering youth through songwriting and self-confidence exploration.

In her role as an organizer and facilitator, Melanie strives to foster connections, unity, and empowerment within her communities. She currently chairs the Ontario Music Cities Officers Network and serves as co-chair of the Algonquin College Music Industry Arts Advisory Committee.

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Tara Shannon is a music industry multi-hyphenate who has built her life around educating, empowering and entertaining. Renowned for her insightful and empowering speeches, Tara has been invited as a guest speaker at prestigious events including Artpreneur, Impact Entrepreneur Summit, and the globally recognized G20 Summit. Her experience and insight shared at these forums have inspired many aspiring artists and entrepreneurs.

​Tara is the co-founder and the dynamic force behind a group of companies spanning different industries which includes her artist-centric record label, Willow Sound Records & education-focused incubator, The (Gro)ve. She leverages her distinctive experiences in founding and managing businesses to equip music creators with the necessary tools to navigate today’s music industry.  

As an author and sought-after life coach for music makers, Tara guides the next generation of musicians to transform into successful entrepreneurs in the ever-evolving landscape of the music business - emphasizing that to be successful in the business of music, you first need to be successful in the business of YOU. ​Tara is also a seasoned recording artist and songwriter with a career spanning over three decades. She is currently working on her next studio album with Nashville producer and industry visionary Jim Ed Norman. She currently sits on the board as Vice-President of the North East Regional Folk Alliance.

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Jessy Lindsay is a Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter, composer and project coordinator born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. She made the most of every opportunity presented to her as a young artist, paving her path in the music industry. Being a true indie artist at heart, Jessy enjoys all aspects of the profession, from playing shows to project management. Her recent EP “Plus pareil", her debut EP: “J’explose” (2022) as well as the rest of her singles are available on all streaming platforms. Jessy's groovy music and refreshing stage presence inspire audiences to dance freely to the beat of their own hearts.

Since completing a bachelor of music at the University of Ottawa in April 2023, Jessy is contributing to the local music community that shaped her into the artist she is today though project coordination, stage management, sound design, workshops in schools and her own music career.

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David Leclerc, known as Quest, is a driving force in Ottawa/Gatineau’s hip-hop scene, combining his talents as a composer, producer, director, and sound engineer with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of Dreamland, a production company dedicated to showcasing local talent, he plays a key role in supporting and promoting emerging artists. His deep commitment to the community is evident in his organization of events like the Cultivé Ici music festival, which brings people together through music and culture.

Quest’s contributions have earned him multiple accolades, including nominations at the CRANIUM gala for the Foundation and Community Builder awards in 2022 and 2023. He also received recognition at GAMIQ 2023 for his work on TERRITOIREDELOURS with D-Track. Beyond music, Quest has directed over 100 music videos and led projects like the SND*TRK exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery, cementing his influence in the region’s artistic landscape. His deep commitment to the community and broad expertise make him a vital figure in the region’s cultural landscape.

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With over 15 years of experience in administration, human resources, and event coordination, Sam Timmins brings a strong background in project management, talent booking, and strategic planning to her role as BMDA Project Coordinator at the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC).

Sam has extensive experience in marketing, grant writing, and artist development, having worked with organizations like Willow Sound Records and Syndicut Music to support independent artists and manage industry-focused initiatives. She has successfully supported booking and coordinated talent for major events, including the BMDA Cinq à Sept and Canada Day Stage 2024, strengthening connections between artists, industry professionals, and the broader Ottawa music community.

As an artist herself, Sam understands the challenges and opportunities within the music industry, allowing her to bring a unique, artist-centered perspective to her work. Her career has also included leadership roles in human resources and administration, where she developed skills in policy creation, operations management, and stakeholder relations.

With a passion for both music and industry growth, Sam is committed to developing meaningful opportunities for local artists and industry professionals, ensuring OMIC’s programs and initiatives serve the evolving needs of the music community.

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Nicholas Packer has been a cultural worker in Ottawa’s Music scene since 2018. Over the years he has cemented himself as one of the city’s lead promoters for electronic music, while simultaneously emerging as one of the city’s staple DJs. Nick’s passion for local music shines through in his mission to spotlight local talent and uplift the grassroots music community in the national capital region. You may have seen him on the ground at Jazz Fest doing media, or at City at Night managing the dancefloor; currently Nick has joined OMIC as the Social Media Content Manager where he will spread the wonderful word of all things music in Ottawa.

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Liv Delair is a passionate advocate and organizer with deep roots in Ottawa’s music and harm reduction communities. With a background in psychology and years of experience in youth drug policy, Liv brings a unique blend of strategic insight and grassroots energy to her work. She’s worked with national organizations like CSSDP, the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, and consulted on federal drug policy—including the Cannabis Act and safe supply.

In the music scene, Liv leads harm reduction efforts at Midnight Forever Festival and promotes events across multiple EDM collectives. She’s all about creating safer, more connected spaces on and off the dancefloor—and believes music is one of the most powerful tools for community care and change.

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Fatou Balde is a communications professional and proud Francophone who’s passionate about local arts, community involvement and storytelling.

Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Fatou moved to Ottawa in 2024 and has loved the city ever since. She has held a variety of roles in the nonprofit and education sectors, gaining experience in outreach, programming and community engagement.

Now, working as an Assistant Program Coordinator at the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), she’s excited to support the discovery and development of local musicians.

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