Music Moves Us.
Director
Candice Bartlett
Candice's love of music ignited in childhood, thanks to VIP access to an unbeatable music collection at a local radio station, courtesy of her DJ dad. This set the soundtrack for her lifelong musical journey, where early choir and theater experiences nurtured her passion for harmonies and singing.
Candice has sung her heart out in bands and as a singer-songwriter, trained in music production, crafting sonic sounds in studios, and is a writer and creative. She was a part of the choir scene for many years in Vancouver, BC. (She also had a show on Edmonton's CJSR FM 88 back in the day!), —curating music is her thing.
Fast forward to 2024, and Candice is back in Edmonton with a passion for community building, supporting the arts, and a choir obsession that’s off the charts. She firmly believes in the transformative power of collective voices and that music is the ultimate connector.
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Candice is directing The Vox Collective (Edmonton’s coolest new indie choir) and will be joined in each session by Guest Directors from Edmonton's vibrant music scene.
She brings a blend of enthusiasm, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to her leadership —high fives for everyone.
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Guest Director
Dana Wylie
Fall 2024
Dana Wylie is a singer-songwriter, a mother, a side musician, and a music teacher. In an eclectic 25-year career, she has released seven albums, written and presented three original music-storytelling theatrical pieces, and played in numerous wildly varied musical ensembles on three continents.
She is a Canadian Folk Music Award nominee and a four-time Sterling Award nominee. Her latest project, soul-roots supergroup Secondhand Dreamcar, will release its debut album in October 2024.
Guest Director
Riwo
Nigerian-born singer/songwriter, Riwo specializes in vocal composition and arranging. As the lead vocalist of Melafrique, an Edmonton-based, Afro-fusion band, she has gained recognition throughout the province. Since moving to Canada in 2015, Riwo has collaborated with Titilope Sonuga, Callie Day, Arlo Maverick, K-riz, The Melisizwe Brothers, and more.
With a passion for sharing personal stories, she delves into neo-soul, R&B, and Afro-jazz genres, curating her own distinct voice with each released record. Using music as the catalyst for new healing journeys, Riwo facilitates an atmosphere of connectivity, life, and a sense of homecoming for her audience. Her highly anticipated debut album, "Grown Child", was released in January 2024 and can be found on all streaming platforms.
Guest Director
The Western Thistles
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Based in Edmonton, Alberta, The Western Thistles captivate audiences with woody tones and belting harmonies. Formed in 2019, the band was born out of the musical connection between Mark Boer and Bri Huot, who share a deep appreciation for folk, Americana, and outlaw country. United by their love for these genres, they came together to weld their talents for the sake of the song.
As both multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, Mark and Bri channel their lived experiences into their music. Their authentic sound is a reflection of day-to-day living, capturing the essence of life through the lens of traditional folk and old-time country music. Their commitment is not just to play music but to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who lend an ear. Creating music is more than a passion; it's a dedication to the art of storytelling through song.
Winter 2025
Guest Director
Halfway Home
When a broken down car left Amanda Penner, Zackery Wilson Elliott, & their friend Sammy Volkov stranded in small town Three Hills, AB for the night on their way back to Edmonton, Elliott joked about being stuck half way home. The pair, having both spent the last few years living in various people’s spaces, connected over the readiness for something new in their lives & careers. They decided to join forces in what has become Halfway Home, an Edmonton based folk duo influenced by the likes of Adrianne Lenker, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Watchhouse. Their songs explore the concept of home and what it means to them as new roommates and duo partners.
With years of solo careers under their belts, a blend of spellbinding harmonies, and blissful acoustic guitar sounds to vouch, Halfway Home is bound to leave listeners tapping their toes and humming along.
Guest Director
Riwo
We're excited to welcome back Riwo for our Winter Session!
Nigerian-born singer/songwriter, Riwo specializes in vocal composition and arranging. As the lead vocalist of Melafrique, an Edmonton-based, Afro-fusion band, she has gained recognition throughout the province. Since moving to Canada in 2015, Riwo has collaborated with Titilope Sonuga, Callie Day, Arlo Maverick, K-riz, The Melisizwe Brothers, and more.With a passion for sharing personal stories, she delves into neo-soul, R&B, and Afro-jazz genres, curating her own distinct voice with each released record. Using music as the catalyst for new healing journeys, Riwo facilitates an atmosphere of connectivity, life, and a sense of homecoming for her audience. Check out her debut album, "Grown Child," which was released in January 2024 and can be found on all streaming platforms.
Guest Director
John Hewitt
John Hewitt is a force not seen since the end of the 70’s. There are bands, artists and songwriters that mimic and imitate but John Hewitt absorbs and reimagines. From folk clubs to house concerts, festivals to halls John is a master of storytelling, arranging, producing and a painter of poems scarcely seen in today’s musical climate. Since his early teens taking in the powerful sounds of the Beatles, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and the Grateful Dead he has been wandering, searching and yielding a crop of new ideas from the old world.
A multi-instrumentalist from Sault Ste. Marie Ontario and being Alberta-bound since 2018, John’s mark on the Western music scene is impossible to go unnoticed. Performing over 150 shows per year (From Alberta and British Columbia to Montana, Colorado, California and beyond), covering 20,000 miles per annum and releasing upwards of 3 albums in that same timeframe, there is no comparison to the work ethic, the attitude and the drive that John has as an artist. Fronting the New Americans and touring solo most of the year, his output impresses the young and the old, the folk and the rock, the country and the town, and the only thing left at the end of the night is a feeling you won’t get anywhere else.
John Hewitt is a master, a choreographer of sound, a man of many hats, all worn with style, and with a dream bigger than the world around him.