Akoustik Alumni

JUNO Award-winning artist Angelique Francis is a powerhouse vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and genre-blending force. Known for her rich, smoky voice and electrifying stage presence, Angelique blends blues, soul, folk, jazz, and rock into a sound that’s timeless yet fresh. Born and raised in Ottawa, she began performing at age 7 and has since played major festivals around the world, sharing stages with legends like Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., and Keb’ Mo’. Her acclaimed album Long River earned the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year and solidified her as a rising icon in Canadian music.

Aspects is a genre-spanning musician and producer whose work bridges rock, reggae, jazz, soul, and hip-hop with ease. Known for his soulful presence and deep-rooted passion for music, he has produced for legendary acts including members of Tupac Shakur’s group, Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, and Anderson .Paak’s band The Free Nationals. His credits also include collaborations with icons from the Wu-Tang Clan to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. A true musical force, Aspects delivers a live performance you won’t want to miss.

Beau Nectar is a bilingual synth-pop/folk duo made up of singer-songwriters Marie-Clo and éemi. With vibrant melodies and nature-inspired concepts, their music sparks empathy and connection to the natural world. Signed to Indica Records, they released Two Lips in 2023 and are currently building toward their first English album Dandy, set for early 2026, with singles like “Apple” and “Loggerhead Shrike” already out.

C.A. & Sonny are an Ottawa-based folk duo dedicated to keeping musical tradition alive. With a collection of stringed instruments in tow, they deliver old-time melodies, original tunes, and lighthearted storytelling in equal measure. Their easygoing performances blend musicianship with humour, offering a rich repertoire of vintage songs and tales that transport listeners to another time.

Chloé is a 14-year-old musician who’s been playing guitar for five years, teaching herself a variety of cover songs along the way. A true country music fan at heart, she brings a fresh, heartfelt energy to every performance. Now returning to Akoustik for her second year, Chloé is excited to share her passion for music once again—and hopes to write original songs of her own in the near future.

Claude Munson is an Ottawa singer-songwriter who has been crafting reflective, atmospheric folk music for over a decade. Known for his soaring, gritty tenor and intimate storytelling, Munson’s songs explore themes of modern life, love, and the quiet pursuit of inner peace. He released his self-titled debut with backing band The Storm Outside in 2012, followed by sophomore album The Silence Came After (2018) on Record Centre Records — a record drenched in crystalline synths and stripped-bare acoustic moments alike. His 2022 EP Boxing Day Weekend marked a lush, upbeat new chapter, debuted to a sold-out show at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage. A regular fixture on Ottawa’s independent music scene, Munson has built a devoted following through years of intimate performances and longtime collaborations with producer Philippe Charbonneau.

Dumisani Chirwa, known as Dumis9ne I, is an Ottawa-based reggae and Afro-dancehall fusion artist whose sound is rooted in rhythm, message, and movement. Drawing inspiration from legends like Evison Matafale, Bob Marley, Jah9, Chronixx, and Damian Marley, Dumis9ne blends Malawian influence with global reggae energy. His music champions themes of love, peace, humanity, and justice—what he calls “positivity in general.” A 2025 Capital Music Award nominee, Dumis9ne has collaborated with international artists like Imeru Tafari, Pupajim, and Marina P, and is currently working on a project with a Grammy-nominated Canadian producer featuring members of Alaclair Ensemble and other reggae greats.

At just 16, Illiyah Rose is already a force to be reckoned with. She’s opened for legendary acts like Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Beck, and has shared the stage with The Beach Boys. Known for her soulful voice and magnetic stage presence, Illiyah blends soul, pop, and a touch of jazz to deliver emotionally rich performances well beyond her years. Her talent, maturity, and dedication make her a rising star in the music world.

Alchemizing roots, classic country, Americana and Celtic soundscapes, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind spin tales of outlaw heroics, matriarchal power, resistance and resilience, and the unrelenting beauty of becoming who you are. With a Performing Artist of the Year win at Folk Music Ontario Awards 2025, three 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and an upcoming two-part album produced by JUNO-winner Hill Kourkoutis and featuring an all-women team, JPEW is rising up to offer a powerful musical battle cry against the status quo.

Jessy Lindsay (she/her) is a queer, bilingual pop artist known for her jazz-infused melodies, honest lyrics, and magnetic stage presence. Singing in both English and French, she offers heartfelt reflections on womanhood, self-confidence, and reclaiming joy. A classically trained vocalist and composer, Jessy brings a unique blend of pop, electro, and contemporary music to stages across Ottawa, with recent appearances at the Festival franco-ontarien, Capital Pride, and the National Arts Centre. Her latest EP Plus pareil (2025) explores self-growth through electro-pop and is available on all major streaming platforms.

Nova Scotia-raised and Ottawa-based, Malia Rogers is a folk singer-songwriter, actor, and multi-instrumentalist known for her warm, introspective sound. Blending folk, bluegrass, and Celtic influences, her music explores themes of identity, growth, and compassion. Her upcoming EP Chameleon (May 30, 2025) offers thoughtful lyrics, honeyed vocals, and spacious arrangements. In addition to her solo work, Malia collaborates with award-winning acts like Jessica Pearson & The East Wind and Ian Sherwood, and appears regularly as an actor-musician on Canadian stages.

Mikhail Laxton blends soul, folk, and R&B with raw honesty. His latest release, Present Nostalgia, showcases reimagined early songs and new material rooted in clarity, joy, and self-acceptance. With smooth grooves and heartfelt storytelling, Mikhail’s music is soul-baring and deeply personal—a true reflection of the artist he’s become.

OK Naledi is a high-energy Afro-Fusion music project led by Ottawa-based artist Naledi Sunstrum. Rooted in Motswana heritage, the group blends traditional sub-Saharan guitar, warm bass grooves, and genre-defying rhythms with intimate, poetic lyricism. Naledi, a Black, queer, non-binary artist, performs alongside collaborator Kira Montfort and a rotating collective of queer, femme, BIPOC, and non-binary artists. Since emerging in 2022, OK Naledi has played major festivals, earned award nominations, and released a debut album following their standout video do you feel. Their work is a love letter to becoming—music that invites you to feel deeply, move freely, and dream without borders.

Qattuu is an Ontario-based Inuk throat singer originally from Pangnirtung, Nunavut. Known for her work with the multi-JUNO-nominated group Silla and Rise, she has also appeared on recordings with Joey Nowyuk and Angela Amarualik. As a soloist, Qattuu has performed internationally, representing Inuit culture on stages in France, Belgium, the Philippines, and across Canada. She regularly leads cultural workshops in throat singing and drumming, and has performed at events such as TUSARNITUT! at the ROM and the Sākihiwē Festival in Winnipeg. Her debut solo album Midnight Sun was released in February 2023.

Born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and now based in Ottawa, Ras Lee is a celebrated reggae artist and performer known for his powerful voice and enduring presence in the Canadian music scene. A Juno Award nominee and two-time Canadian Reggae Music Award winner, Ras Lee was also honoured with the Reggae Ambassador of Ottawa award for his contributions to the local community. He is best known for his album and single Who Killed the Lion—a tribute to Bob Marley. Ras Lee continues to perform across Canada, bringing his signature sound to festivals and venues nationwide.

Rooted in friendship and harmony, School House was born when three best friends moved into a century-old schoolhouse and began sharing songs around the campfire. Known for their warm three-part harmonies and heartfelt sound, their debut album won Album of the Year from Ottawa Faces Magazine, and they were named Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards.

Sophie d’Orléans is a Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter whose music blends warm acoustics and dreamy synths. Influenced by indie pop and folk storytelling, her songs reflect resilience, emotion, and introspection.

A Granby semi-finalist in 2022, she’s performed at festivals across Canada and shared the stage with Amanda Rheaume, Jessy Lindsay, and others. With soothing vocals and rich harmonies, Sophie invites listeners into an honest, reflective space—whether on piano or guitar.

The Monroe Sisters have been bringing their signature bluegrass sound to festivals and venues across Ontario for over a decade. Named in tribute to the father of bluegrass, their music is rooted in sweet vocal harmonies, complemented by standout instrumental breaks on banjo, fiddle, and mandolin—all grounded by solid rhythm on bass and guitar. With a fresh, energetic approach to a timeless genre, The Monroe Sisters are Kate Greenland, Elizabeth Foster Weatherall, Pat Moore, Sherry Philp, and Ann Downey.

Shawn Tavenier is known for his captivating presence, powerful voice, and his ability to hold an audience. Based in beautiful Vanier, Ontario, Shawn is equally at home on a festival stage or in a café. Whether with his beloved bands Silver Creek and The Golden Low, or as a solo performer, you’ll soon come to understand why he has become a vanguard within the Ottawa music community.

Kristine St-Pierre is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter with soul-searching ballads and a rollicking country flair. She weaves together a rich blend of folk, roots, and country music, captivating listeners with both English and French lyrics. Described as a ‘chansonnière’ with a traveling heart,’ Kristine’s songs create an emotional journey that transcends language and genre. She received a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for her album La promesse released in 2017. In 2025, she received the award for Francophone artist of the year by the Country Music Association of Ontario. Released in 2024, her fourth album, Love & Vulnerability, is described “as a magnificent blend of folk, pop and roots with impressive songwriting and song craft.”

Jeff & the Falcons is the songwriting project of Overbrook-based guitarist and vocalist Jeff deValk. A fixture in the Ottawa music scene for over a decade, Jeff and his six-piece band craft original songs steeped in classic soul, R&B, and vintage rock records he grew up singing along to.