News Article

Music PEI is thrilled to announce new support from TD Bank Group (TD). This support will assist with the delivery of the collaborative program between Music PEI and FilmPEI, TD Diverse Voices.

TD Diverse Voices was designed to support emerging musicians from underrepresented communities to record and release a single under the mentorship of John MacPhee of Paper Lions. John holds a wealth of knowledge when it comes to releasing music and will help the participants through the recording process at a professional studio, hiring a proven producer, and hiring a professional marketing and publicity team who will help get the new singles out into the world. The total value of the prize is approximately $9,000 per artist for 3 successful applicants. 

“TD is proud to support Music PEI and FilmPEI in developing up-and-coming Island musicians and filmmakers,” says Jenn Auld, VP TD Canada Trust – Atlantic Region. “Through the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, we’re working to amplify under-represented and diverse voices across the arts and culture landscape and create opportunities to share fresh and needed perspectives on the world around us, while helping emerging artists flourish.”

FilmPEI pairs each participant with an emerging filmmaker who will work alongside the artist to produce an accompanying music video for the new single. In total six young emerging creators will have an opportunity to grow their craft under the guidance and mentorship of seasoned professionals from PEI’s music and film industry.

“FilmPEI is thankful for another year working in collaboration with Music PEI to deliver Diverse Voices. The support and help from TD, through their sponsorship, will aid artists in their displays of expression”, says Omar Broderick, Interim Executive Director of FilmPEI.

In round one, which took place last year, three young artists were selected to record a new song and receive mentoring from Music PEI and three emerging filmmakers were selected by FilmPEI. The first round of programming was a huge success, in particular, Emmet MacLellan’s single “Fine” received radio play across the globe, was placed on 13 Spotify playlists, and more.

Co-written with the song’s Producer, Adam Gallant (Rose Cousins / Paper Lions / Tara Maclean), “Fine” is their introduction to the flourishing East Coast music scene. “This song is about wanting to escape, codependency, and repressed anger fueling the ego/subconscious mind. It is emotionally chaotic lyrically and peppy at the same time. (Because everything is fine.),” says Emmet.

Jessie Duarte is an Island filmmaker who originated from Lisbon, Portugal. She began making home movies at a young age and has since had a burning passion for making video content. She has been working on film sets for the last 4 years and is now making her debut as a director through the Diverse Voices program.

Check out the video for “Fine” here: EMMET MACLELLAN – FINE (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Music PEI and FilmPEI will be accepting submissions to the second round of the TD Diverse Voices program starting Monday, February 7th, 2022. Each successful applicant will receive:

• professional recording studio time with a professional producer to record a new song
• professional marketing package plus training and mentorship provided by Music PEI
• gear/crew and mentorship provided by FilmPEI for an EMERGING FILMMAKER to produce an accompanying music video

To be eligible you must be 25 and under (Music PEI requirement only, not FilmPEI), identify as 2SLGBTQ+ / BIPOC, and be a resident of PEI. Successful applicants will be selected from the submissions by a diverse jury of industry professionals. The deadline to submit your application is Friday, February 25th, 2022.

Emerging musicians can apply for the TD Diverse Voices program HERE.

Music PEI would like to acknowledge that this program is made possible by the assistance and support of the TD Ready Commitment, Canada Council for the Arts, ACOA, FACTOR (through the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters), and the Province of PEI’s Innovation PEI.

For more information contact:
Music PEI – Rob Oakie 
FilmPEI – Omar Broderick