Overview
This panel will focus on demystifying the approach to songwriting, beat-making, production and music publishing, featuring several of Toronto’s top music industry professionals. Moderated by Music Publishers Canada’s Manager of Communications, Laura Holtebrinck, the panel will mentor aspiring songwriters and producers, shedding light on the creative and business aspects of music publishing.
Presented by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment.
About iaamSaam
iaamSaam is a multidisciplinary musician, singer-songwriter and producer. Her debut EP PsychEval (2017), landed her a spot on The Red Bull Music Academy’s 2017 Bass Camp roster. With her debut album released in 2023, iaamSaam is looking to cement her place as a multifaceted creator and provide an oasis for people who walk through the world in shoes similar to hers. iaamSaam was a producer in the 2020 cohort of Music Publishers Canada Women in the Studio National Accelerator.
About pHoenix Pagliacci
pHoenix Pagliacci is an R&B and hip-hop artist, producer, songwriter and activist. Born and raised in Toronto, she inherited her love of music from her family and began her artistic journey at six, playing the piano and singing.
pHoenix’s ability to command a crowd during live performances has allowed her to perform in The Netherlands, Brazil and Canada. She has performed with Canadian artists such as Eternia, Tara Chase, Michie Mee, Jully Black, Shad and Ghettosocks.
Her versatility can be heard in features by fellow Canadians Aquakultre, Ghettosocks, Eternia, Shad and DJ Shub, to name a few. She has also collaborated with international artists such as Rapsody, Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan), Tajai (Souls of Mischief) and Jean Grae.
Additionally, pHoenix is a voice actor with credentials, including award-nominated audiobooks Gutter Child by Jael Richardson and The Lost Sister by Andrea Gunraj. She was a producer in the 2023 cohort of Music Publishers Canada Women in the Studio National Accelerator.
About LordQuest
LordQuest is a Grammy-nominated record producer and songwriter from Toronto, Canada. He co-produced 2Chainz’s “Vlad TV” and has worked with Kelly Rowland (The Kelly Rowland Edition), Jordin Sparks (“Unknown” and “Red Sangria”), Juice Wrld (“Run”), Schoolboy Q (” Blind Threats”), SiR (“That’s Why I Love You”) and Arin Ray (“F*ck Ya’ll & Zzz”). His discography is ever-growing, including Isaiah Rashad, Bosco, G-Unit, Alex Aiono, Jozzy, Joyner Lucas and Dom Kennedy. LordQuest was previously a part of the Warner Music Canada A&R team overseeing their hip-pop and R&B talent and has since joined SOCAN as a creative executive of Black music.
About Denise De’ion
Denise De’ion is a JUNO Award-winning producer/artist/songwriter. A mix of R&B, pop, hip-hop and Caribbean influences, De’ion’s music is a vibe all on its own.
Her latest musical release, Peace of My Soul, is a soul/R&B EP with vintage vibes. In 2022, she produced Haviah Mighty’s JUNO-winning album, Stock Exchange. Her other accomplishments include the Bacardi “Music Liberates” music campaign in 2021. Selected along with two other women, De’ion was granted the opportunity to work with and be mentored by Boi1da and release the NFT single “Juice,” which is available on streaming platforms. Her music has also been placed in commercials for Bulleit Whiskey and heard on shows like Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia and Kim’s Convenience. She was a producer in the 2019 Music Publishers Canada Women in the Studio National Accelerator cohort.
About OBUXUM
OBUXUM is a Toronto-based Somali-Canadian producer and beatmaker whose lush and characteristic sound celebrates storytelling. She has performed at notable festivals like the Wavelength Festival and Kazoo! Fest, Electric Eclectics and Venus Fest.
NOW Magazine included OBUXUM in their list of Toronto Electronic Musicians to Watch in 2018. OBUXUM was a producer in the 2021 cohort of Music Publishers Canada Women in the Studio National Accelerator.
About Laura Holtebrinck
Laura Holtebrinck is the Manager of Communications at Music Publishers Canada (MPC). Holtebrinck is proud to be involved in MPC’s many initiatives, especially its Women In The Studio National Accelerator, which offers women, gender fluid, non-binary and gender non-conforming participants a series of curated workshops, educational sessions and networking opportunities with music industry leaders as well as NXTGen (MPC’s membership tier building community for the next generation of music publishers). Before MPC, she worked in the music tech space for many years, a time spent developing her interest in music publishing. In addition to her work with MPC, Holtenbrinck is the Manager of Communications at the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC), advocating for making Canada’s private copying regime tech-neutral.
About Music Publishers Canada
Music Publishers Canada is a non-profit membership-based organization, founded in 1949, that ensures the views of music publishers working in Canada are heard. It is their mission to create business opportunities for their members and to promote their interests and those of their song writing partners through advocacy, communication and education. Music Publishers Canada ensures that the value and contribution of music publishers, music publishing and copyright management is understood by artists, the music industry, users of copyrights, governments and the general public.
Dates & Times
February 18
2pm – 3:30pm