The Juno Awards and Slaight Music launched Canada’s premier artist development program, the Allan Slaight Juno Master Class, four years ago. Master Class differs from other artist development programs in that winners are endorsed by members of the music industry and chosen by a super jury of industry leaders.

The 2018/19 winners are Aquakultre (selected by being the CBC Music Searchlight winner), Haviah Mighty, Port Cities, and smrtdeath. All four recently engaged in a week of mentorship and industry insight in Toronto, taking in lessons from the experts including: a visit to Facebook, Apple Music, and CBC Music; myriad sessions at Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music with industry mentors; photography sessions with Matt Barnes and Caitlin Cronenberg; a producer session with Jordan Evans (Daniel Caesar’s manager and producer); a media training session with Franca Miraglia and more, all culminating with a live performance showcase by each act on Oct. 25 at Jasper Dandy. [READ MORE]

It’s the week of Port Cities’ pair of shows with Symphony Nova Scotia, and “we’re just trying on clothes right now to make sure we don’t look stupid,” says singer/guitarist/dimples Carleton Stone. “Not my favourite part.” Port Cities’ self-titled debut album came out last year, picking up five Music Nova Scotia Awards in its wake, and the trio—Stone, Dylan Guthro and Breagh MacKinnon—has been on the road in this continent and Europe in support of it, keeping fans engaged and encouraging hometown pride. [READ MORE]