Friday AM – Elamin Abdelmahmoud

Elamin Abdelmahmoud is the host of CBC Radio’s daily arts, pop culture and entertainment show COMMOTION, and a former writer for BuzzFeed News. His work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Rolling Stone and others. Elamin is the editor of the new book Elbows Up: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance, and is the author of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces, a number one national bestseller, a Globe 100 book, and a New York Times notable book.

Friday PM – Miranda Mulholland

Miranda Mulholland is a JUNO nominated Canadian Singer and Fiddler. She is in high demand as a solo performer and as a collaborator. Dubbed the “Sweet secret weapon of Canadian Roots Music” by Brad Wheeler at the Globe and Mail, her touring and recording credits include Great Lake Swimmers, Belle Starr, Bowfire, Harrow Fair, Alan Doyle, The Jim Cuddy Band and many, many more. She has performed on over 100 albums as well as on TV show and film scores and in theatre. She runs a boutique record label out of Toronto called Roaring Girl Records which is the home to a select group of diverse artists. Miranda’s new solo music is an exploration of original and traditional folk song using the full palette of her violin and voice with looping and effects pedals. Over the past decade, Miranda has emerged as one of the world’s foremost Artist Advocates, speaking around the world about the value of copyright, the empowerment of Artist Entrepreneurs and artists’ rights at large.

Saturday AM – Emm Gryner

Emm Gryner is an independent recording artist with a career that spans more than 25 years. Her albums Asianblue and Girl Versions were nominated for Pop Album of The Year at the Juno Awards. Emm appears on albums by and toured the world with the iconic David Bowie. In 2013, Emm helped make the first music video in outer space when she helped arrange a new version of “Space Oddity” for astronaut Chris Hadfield. The song was recorded partly on earth and partly aboard the International Space Station. This collaboration has received more than 200 million views on YouTube. In 2023, Emm was sought out by Def Leppard to contribute her Juno-nominated cover of Pour Some Sugar On Me to their Drastic Symphonies album featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Emm contributes lead vocals to the track which, as part of the album, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Classic and Classical Crossover chart.

Emm Gryner has released over 20 albums, exploring a wide range of genres including pop, rock, jazz, yacht rock, and metal. In addition to her prolific solo career, she mentors emerging artists and continues to tour internationally. She also performs with Queen Beach Killer Cat, her collaboration with poet Michael Holmes, and fronts her new feminist metal band, Ovary Axe. Gryner, a dedicated scholar and advocate for women’s mental health, is currently studying Psychological Science at Miami University. She earned a Certificate of Distinction in Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and has recently joined the faculty at her alma mater, Fanshawe College, as Professor of Artist Development.

Emm is the author of the best-selling book The Healing Power of Singing: Raise Your Voice, Change Your Life (ECW Press). As an Associate Certified Coach credentialed by the International Coach Federation, Emm works as a vocal and career coach to some of the most successful artists in North America. Emm is a proud mom to two children, one stepson and two cats, Izzy and Peg. She lives with her partner, Michael and currently resides in London, Canada.

All information will go live in the WHOVA app on the week of the conference. Conference attendees should watch their email for instructions on how to access this on that date.

We have secured discounted rates at two properties. Please note the conference events take place at the Blue Mountain Conference Centre which is adjacent to the Blue Mountain Village Suites. The Westin Trillium House is a short walk away. These rooms will be held until October 14, 2026

Prefer to book by phone? 1-833-583-BLUE

Group Name: Ontario Music Educators Association OMEA 2026

Group Code: BMR Call In: GB00006724, BMR Master Rooming List: GB00006725 / OMA / Call In: 10002Y, Room List: 10003D

Full Conference

1 Day Only

Thursday PM Reception – Micaela Rae Trio

Micaela Tyson (aka Micaela Rae) is a Toronto based musician currently working in the folk, singer-songwriter, and jazz genres. You can catch her performing at various Toronto venues such as the Rex and the Jazz Bistro. She holds a bachelors degree in music from the renowned Humber College, with a focus in vocal jazz performance. Micaela is passionate about instilling healthy techniques and habits, and confidence in her students. In addition to jazz studies, she has classical training in voice, piano and theory with the Royal Conservatory and enjoys teaching musical theatre repertoire and guitar. When she is not performing, teaching, or studying, Micaela enjoys reading and writing poetry, crocheting, and baking sweets to enjoy with her friends.

Friday AM Keynote Performance – Mayfield SS Assuage

Assuage is Mayfield Secondary School’s Gospel R&B fusion ensemble, bringing together student musicians from Grades 9–12 in the school’s Regional Arts Program. Rooted in the expressive traditions of gospel music and blended with the grooves, harmonies, and contemporary sensibilities of R&B, Assuage creates powerful performances that centre emotion, storytelling, and musical excellence.

Led by Dr. John P. Castillo, Assuage emphasizes musicianship, collaboration, and authenticity, encouraging students to connect deeply with the music and with one another. Through rehearsals and performances, the ensemble aims not only to perform, but to uplift, inspire, and create moments of musical reflection for both performers and audiences alike.

Friday PM Concert – Trash Panda Brass

Trash Panda Brass formed in the summer of 2022 on the streets of Toronto with a simple mission of engaging crowds and spreading queer and inclusive joy. Within two years of conception, they graced the cover of Whole Note magazine, rocked TD Jazz Fest, DoWestFest, Cultivate festival, and the Distillery District Concert Series. They’ve also performed in educational workshops at Sterling Hall and O’Neill CVI, and were guest panelists at Queens University on the topic of queer representation in post-secondary music.

In November of 2023, they released their debut EP, “Opposable Thumbs”. However, after three summers of active busking, their home will always be on the streets where they are “retooling the art of busking into a kind of amazing outdoor ambush” – The Whole Note.

In an effort to bring music and joy to as wide an audience as possible, they regularly play at community events, festivals and educational workshops and can still be seen playing on the streets of Toronto. With all arranging done by members of the band, Trash Panda Brass is known for their upbeat and fun loving tunes, paying homage to quintessential queer hits and icons. Trash Panda Brass is proud to be here and queer!

[Trash Panda Brass believes in community, education, and representation, and as such have performed as featured artists with the Hannaford Youth Band, Canadian Women’s Brass Conference, International Women’s Day, and ROM After Dark – Pride.]

Friday PM Concert – Tell it to Sweeney 

Energetic, genre-blending, and unapologetically original, Tell It To Sweeney has been making waves in the Canadian music scene with a sound that fuses infectious grooves, catchy hooks, and heartfelt lyricism. Known for their dynamic live performances and tight musicianship, this 9 piece ensemble has earned a reputation for lighting up stages and connecting with audiences from all walks of life.

Since their formation in 2017, Tell It To Sweeney has shared stages with major artists, most notably opening for David Wilcox and for platinum-selling electro-pop artist Coleman Hell. Their captivating presence and musical versatility have also landed them headlining spots at notable events, including Toronto’s renowned Beaches International Jazz Festival and other major music festivals across Ontario. (Come Together Music Festival, Northern Lights Fesitval, Goderich Sunsetfest, Woodstock Streetfest)

With a growing fanbase and an ever-evolving sound, Tell It To Sweeney continues to push creative boundaries while staying rooted in the energy and community that drives their music. Whether on a festival stage or in an intimate venue, their mission is the same: to move people – body and soul.

Saturday AM Keynote Performance – Ontario Provincial Honour Band, with Sommer Forrester

Sommer Helweh Forrester is a tenured Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Toronto, where she teaches courses in music education, conducts the Wind Symphony, and serves as the Coordinator of Music Education. From 2015 – 2025 she taught undergraduate music education coursework at the University of Massachusetts Boston. In addition, Forrester conducted the UMass Boston Orchestra and held leadership positions including Program Coordinator of Music and Music Education. In 2018, she was awarded the Community Engaged Innovation Teaching Award by the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Forrester is a sought-after music teacher educator who works with scholars, educators, and performing artists in various contexts. As a scholar of music teacher education, her research explores music teacher education and knowledge, curriculum development, and conducting pedagogy. Forrester is published in prominent peer-reviewed research journals and practitioner journals. Forrester has presented her research to national and international audiences and currently serves on the executive board for the Society for Music Teacher Education, and the editorial board for the Journal of Music Teacher Education. She is an active guest conductor and clinician in North America and the Middle East.

Forrester holds Doctoral (Ph.D.) and Masters degrees in in Music Education with a cognate in Wind Conducting from the University of Michigan; Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto; and Honors Bachelor of Music Education from Western University. A former K –12 classroom teacher, Forrester taught music in Canada, Palestine, Israel, and Kuwait.

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