The Women in Music Career Accelerator Program is a new initiative, funded in part by Ontario Creates and the City of Ottawa, is designed to strengthen Ottawa’s music ecosystem by creating professional pathways for women and gender-diverse music industry professionals.

The 10-month accelerator pilot program (March–December 2026) brings together a curated cohort of emerging and established industry leaders through structured knowledge exchange, professional development sessions, and strategic networking opportunities across Ottawa’s music sector.

Participants and their Peer Guides will engage in monthly meetings, industry workshops, and key milestone events throughout the year, including ongoing programs and events such as Chorus of Courage, Axé Worldfest’s Empowering Women in the Music Industry conference (April 30–May 2, 2026), and Capital Music Week (October 2–10, 2026).

Designed as a pilot initiative, the program responds to a critical need in Ottawa’s music economy: strengthening career infrastructure and retaining skilled professionals in the city. By connecting emerging talent with established leaders across management, publicity, production, technical fields, and live events, the accelerator helps build sustainable careers while fostering long-term collaboration across the sector.

“Building a thriving music ecosystem requires intentional investment in people,” said Melanie Brulée, Executive Director of OMIC. “This accelerator brings together some of Canada’s most dynamic professionals to share knowledge, expand networks, and create real career opportunities here in Ottawa. When we invest in workforce development, we strengthen the entire cultural and economic fabric of our city.” 

The initiative is grounded in a collaborative, circular leadership model that prioritizes shared learning, equity, and community-driven growth. Participants and industry peers will engage as knowledge partners, reflecting a mentorship approach rooted in reciprocity rather than hierarchy.

Through this model, the program will help participants:

• Strengthen business and career strategies
 • Expand professional networks and industry visibility
 • Gain hands-on experience within Ottawa’s music ecosystem
 • Develop sustainable leadership practices within the music sector

“Women and gender-diverse professionals continue to face systemic barriers in the music industry,” said Sarah Porter, Chapter Lead of Women in Music Canada Ottawa. “This program creates a space where emerging leaders can build meaningful relationships, access industry insight, and develop the confidence and tools needed to grow their careers.”

MEET CINDY: 

Cindy Doire is an award-winning bilingual Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and psychotherapist whose work bridges music, healing, and social impact. As the founder of the Chorus of Courage project and the independent label Dare to Defy Records, Cindy creates collaborative music spaces where artists and survivors transform personal stories into powerful collective expression.

Alongside her work as a recording artist, Cindy is a trauma-informed therapist and facilitator who integrates somatic practices, songwriting, and embodied creativity into her work with individuals and communities impacted by violence.

Through concerts, workshops, recordings, and community initiatives, Cindy’s work explores how music can restore voice, connection, and meaning — reminding us that creativity is not just art, but a path toward resilience and collective healing.

MEET CELESTE:

Céleste Lévis est une auteure-compositrice-interprète et entrepreneure francophone originaire de Timmins, en Ontario. Révélée au grand public après une série de distinctions marquantes, d’Ontario Pop à La Voix, elle s’est imposée au fil des années comme une voix authentique et rassembleuse de la francophonie canadienne.

Forte de plus d’une décennie de carrière sur scène et dans l’industrie musicale, elle met également son expertise au service des artistes à travers JOLY Records, une maison de production et de disque qu’elle codirige aux côtés de Marc-Antoine Joly. Son parcours d’artiste lui permet d’accompagner les créateurs indépendants avec une approche humaine, alliant direction artistique, production et développement de carrière.

Engagée dans la transmission du savoir, Céleste anime aussi des ateliers d’écriture, de chant et de création dans les écoles, festivals et concours, contribuant activement à soutenir la relève francophone.

Portée par des chansons sensibles comme Contrecœur, Promis, juré et Dans tes yeux, elle prépare actuellement son 5ᵉ album, attendu à l’automne 2026 : un projet introspectif, vibrant et profondément humain, fidèle à sa voix douce, puissante et lumineuse.

MEET KARI:

Bad Parade is a music publicity firm focused on bringing musical talent to every corner of Canada. Created by Canadian publicist, Kari Zalik, Bad Parade works to secure key media coverage for Canadian and international artists, working with broadcast (television, radio and podcasts), print, and digital outlets for maximum exposure. Kari's artists have appeared in top media, including the Globe and Mail, Breakfast Television, National Post, CBC q, Exclaim!, eTalk, Indie88, NOW Magazine, and many more.

Kari began her career at Maple Music Recordings in Toronto and progressed to artist publicity management roles in Canada. From launching albums to promoting tours and everything in between, she has worked to ensure top visibility for all artist projects. Her clients have included: Steve Earle, Alex Cuba, Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, Jocelyn Alice, JD McPherson, the Crash Test Dummies and more.

Recently, Bad Parade supported Grammy Winner Alex Cuba's award campaign, multiple JUNO Nominees, the Canadian host of the FIFA World Cup, and TOTO's headline show in Canada.

MEET ASHLEY:

Ashley is a dynamic entrepreneur, journalist, and cultural curator based in Ottawa, best known as the founder of Freegxrl Media – a platform dedicated to empowering Black women and women of colour through bold storytelling, unforgettable live experiences and unapologetic digital content. 

With years of experience in the communications, creative and nonprofit sectors, Ashley lives for community and the culture. Sometimes shy, Ashley expresses loudly through writing and movement; she is also a dancer with over 8 years of experience. From hosting women-only dance workshops that explore the link between movement and self-love to producing events and launching original content, Ashley is committed to creating impactful spaces where real conversations thrive, and community comes first.

MEET MARIA: 

Maria Escamilla is a music industry professional specializing in touring, festivals, and artist development. Based between Canada and international markets, she has built her career working across live events, tour logistics, and artist management.

She began her career as a concert photographer, where her passion for live music quickly led her into the world of touring and live event production.

In 2015, Maria joined Live Nation Canada, where she gained extensive experience in event production, touring logistics, and artist relations while contributing to major national tours and large-scale concerts. During this time, she built strong relationships across Canada’s live music ecosystem and developed a reputation for delivering complex live productions.

In 2021, Maria founded Moonstone Management, an artist management and marketing company focused on supporting emerging and developing artists through strategic career development, touring, and release campaigns.

Over the course of her career, Maria has contributed to numerous national tours and major festivals, working with artists such as Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and Letterkenny Live!, as well as events including festivals such as JUNOfest, Punk in Drublic presents NOFX Final Tour, CBC Music Festival, and other large-scale live productions.

She is recognized for her passion for artist development, festival programming, and creating impactful live music experiences that support both artists and audiences.

MEET JESSICA:

Originaire d’Angola et établie à Ottawa, Jessica Mombotch est productrice culturelle, gestionnaire d’artiste et créatrice en arts visuels.

Après avoir fondé sa première entreprise, U3wane, elle développe une approche artistique centrée sur la création d’expériences culturelles et visuelles, ainsi que sur le décor, l’ambiance, le marketing et la mise en valeur des artistes.

Elle assure d’abord le management de l’artiste Chady Nlandu, avant de cofonder Quata Quata, un collectif multidisciplinaire afrodescendant basé dans la région d’Ottawa–Gatineau. Composé de trois artistes issus de différents horizons, le collectif développe des projets mêlant musique, arts visuels, arts vivants et événements culturels, avec un intérêt particulier pour les expériences artistiques hybrides et immersives.

Aujourd’hui, Jessica accompagne notamment la carrière de DJ Xannie, avec une approche humaine, stratégique et guidée par l’instinct.