Workshops
The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition hosts workshops to help equip local artists and music workers with skills to grow and better understand different facets of the industry. These workshops are possible thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa, Ontario Creates and partnering businesses. Upcoming workshops and recent workshops are listed below.Â
Recent workshops:
- November 12th, 2024 - SOCAN 101: Breaking down Music Rights & Royalties with SOCANÂ
- June 24th 2024 - Web Marketing for Musicians with Bandzoogle
- May 8th 2024 -Â Dollars & Sense with Kingsley Swim (The Framework) - OMIC & DARC members only
- April 10th 2024 -Â Dollars & Sense with Kingsley Swim (The Framework) - OMIC & DARC members only
- March 18th 2024 -Â Dollars & Sense with Kingsley Swim (The Framework) &Â Ontario Arts Council (OAC) - OMIC & DARC members only
- February 13th 2024 - The Mix Advantage with Tev Bourque (Tev Sound)
- January 24th 2024 -Â Dollars & Sense Open House with Kingsley Swim (The Framework)
- January 22nd 2024 - Live Sound 101 with Tev Bourque (Tev Sound)
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Upcoming workshops:
- More to come!
Stage Crew Program
Are you working towards a career in sound and/or the stage? OMIC wants to support and equip Ottawa’s next technicians through hands-on experience and mentorship from the pros. Fill out this interest form to be added to our list. More information on the program to come!
Independent Music Business (IMB)
The Independent Music Business (IMB) series is a partnership with Edwards Creative Law providing professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers.
Thanks to the City of Ottawa and Ontario Creates for funding this project.
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Educational video bank of past IMB sessions:Â
- IMB 53: Web Marketing for Musicians
- Date: June 19th 2024 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Presented by: Joseph Longo from Bandzoogle
- Description: Musicians have to juggle a ton of roles. On top of songwriting, planning gigs, and writing grants, artists also take on the role of marketing management. Learn how to make the most of online marketing tools.
- Watch here!
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- IMB 52: Money Management for Music WorkersÂ
- Date: March 26th 2024 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Presented by: Johann Gomes and Micheal Fairless from Aye Aye Music
- Description: A conversation on how to set your music business up for success in 2024. This 101 session is designed to provide an overview of foundational business practices that you can implement in 2024 to ensure both you and your business are growing.Â
- Resources mentioned:
- Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset video
- A simple profit-loss template so you can put your growth mindset to work and start developing some bookkeeping skills!
- AÂ cheat sheet of deductible business expenses.
- CRA Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships Business Expenses Page
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- IMB 51: Parenting in the Music IndustryÂ
- Date: February 28th 2023 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Tara Shannon, CĂ©leste LĂ©vis, Julian Taylor, JD Edwards, and Maggie Szabo
- Description: A roundtable discussion on balancing parenthood with the pursuit of a career in the music industry.
- Watch here!
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- IMB 50: Grant Writing
- Date: February 9th 2023 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Kingsley Swim, Rachel Weldon, Jadea Kelly, and Natalie Bernardin
- Description: An informative talk on the ins and outs of grant writing and everything you need to know about designing a project fit for funding.
- Watch here!
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- IMB 49: Touring USA
- Date: January 30th 2023 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Mariel Buckley, Tamara Kater, Asuquomo, and Justin Nordell
- Description: An informative talk on the ins and outs of planning a tour in the US and everything you need to know about hitting the road
- Watch here!
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- IMB 48: Climate Change and the Music Industry
- Date: January 24th 2023 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Veronica Johnny, Annette Hegel, Kim Fry, and Akeem Oh
- Description: Have you ever stopped to think about how the environment can play a role in your career? Panelists tackle the many ways climate change affects the music industry.
- Watch here!
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TOPIQUE:Â Brave New Models - OMIC x Debaser
- Date: December 10th 2022 filmed by Kilam Media
- Language: English
- Panelists: Eman Safadi, City Fidelia & MĂ©chant Vaporwave
- Description: A panel discussion from Pique Winter 2022 about the current and future landscape of the Ottawa and Canadian music industry in partnership between Debaser and OMIC.
- Watch here!
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IMB 47: Touring Canada
- Date: November 8th 2022 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Andrea Ramolo, Angelique Francis, and Stefanie Purificati
- Description: An informative talk on the ins and outs of planning a tour in Canada and everything you need to know about hitting the road!
- Watch here!
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- IMB 46: Marketing in the Music Biz
- Date: August 29th 2022 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Ginger Bertrand, Rebecca Dickson, Rachel Sendi, and Macmuwsa
- Description: We all know marketing and branding are essential to an artist's career, but where does one even begin? Get tips, tricks and insights from the pros during this FREE panel discussion. Launch your career to new heights!
- Watch here!
- Resources mentioned:
- Futurpreneur Canada
- Business plan writer (by Futurpreneur Canada)
- An article on Building Brand Identity
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IMB 45: Get your Music on Radio
- Date: August 7th 2022 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Melanie Brulée, Matthew Bisson, and Barry Rooke
- Description: Music industry pros give tips and tricks on how to get songs played on the radio.
- Watch here!
- Resources mentioned:
- Submitting music via !earshot distro for campus and community airplay consideration (see member discount in the Member Portal resources section)
- Submitting music via Mediabase (new BDS)
- Submitting to Canadian channels on Sirius XM
- Submitting to the Indigenous Music Countdown
- Accédez une liste de radios francophones ici
- See if your music has been spun with Spinitron
- Info on embedding ISRC codes into tracks here
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IMB 42: Artist + Music Marketing: DIY Tips + Working with Pros
- Date: June 17th 2021 via Zoom
- Language: English
- Panelists: Mary Jelley of Warner Music Canada, Ola Mazzuca of Indoor Recess, and indie artist Asuquomo
- Description: Talk about the best ways to promote music and artists, taking into account every budget and career level.
- Watch here!
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IMB 38: Managing Indie Artists
- Language: English
- Panelists: Nambi, Dave Cool, and Steve Gardiner
- Description: Talk about managing indie artists, with a focus on online presence and revenue streams.
- Watch here!
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IMB 36: The Livestream Toolkit
- Language: English
- Panelists: Jessie Simmons, Amanda Rheaume & Laura Simpson
- Description: Everything a musician needs to know about becoming a streamer, from promotion, platforms, ticketing, user experience, and tips.
- Watch here!
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IMB 35: Preparing for an Interview with the Media
- Language: English
- Panelists: Anne Marie Brugger, Roch Parisien & Joe Reilly, with special guest DeeDee Butters
- Description: Talk about how to prepare for an interview with the media.
- Watch here!
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IMB 34: The Band Session
- Language: English
- Panelists: Matt Sobb, Scottie Irving, Maryn Pegan & Britt Pegan
- Description: Emerging Ottawa-based bands ask questions to two Ottawa-based experts.
- Watch here!
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- IMB 33: Digital Engagement and Branding
- Language: English
- Panelists: Patrick McCormack, Peter Jackson, Mischa, and Andrew Cassara
- Description: This session covers topics including implementing a digital engagement strategy, the impact of COVID-19 on artists’ digital engagement strategy and the monetization of online performances.
- Watch here!