Canada’s Music Incubator and National Music Centre Announce 10 Participants of 2025 Artist Entrepreneur West
Free AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens on December 3 at the King Eddy
(October 14, 2025 – Toronto, ON and Calgary, AB) The Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) and the National Music Centre (NMC) have revealed the 10 artists selected for the 2025 AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) program, which returns to Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, in Calgary this year.
The program kicks off next month and will conclude with the AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase, a free live concert featuring performances by all participating artists, taking place at the King Eddy on December 3.
The 10 artists include Calgary pop-rocker A.N., Calgary’s own Brother Bicker Band, known for gritty, harmony-driven “maple whiskey rock n’ roll”; Calgary-based singer-songwriter Eden Taylor; Francophone pop-soul songstress Élodie Orsei from B.C., hip-hop act John from Dawson hailing from Tr'ondëk Hwëch’in traditional territory in Dawson City, Yukon; Alberta country sweetheart Julia Vos; Zimbabwean-born, Calgary-based rapper KTheChosen; Indigenous-Guyanese rap artist Osani Balkaran from Winnipeg; Edmonton pop-jazz singer Roya Camille; and Calgary electro-hyperpop producer Ruby Swan.
“Each year, AE West reaffirms our commitment to artist development and championing emerging voices in Canadian music,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, NMC’s Director of Programs. “The program’s return to National Music Centre’s headquarters in Calgary will provide artists with an inspiring environment to create, learn, and grow, and we can’t wait to welcome this year’s cohort.”
“AE West is all about developing Canadian talent and sharing it with audiences,” said Gianna Antonacci, Programs Manager, CMI. “This year’s artists bring so much energy and originality, and the King Eddy showcase will be an amazing chance to experience it all live.”
AE West (Artist Entrepreneur West) is a month-long creative entrepreneurship program designed to empower emerging artists by providing them with the practical skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in the music industry. The ninth edition of the AE West program takes place from November 3 to December 4, 2025 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary.
AE West is an extension of CMI’s highly regarded, Toronto-based Artist Entrepreneur program and represents a partnership between CMI, a national not-for profit organization, and NMC. The majority of costs for the program are offset thanks to the generous support of TD Ready Commitment, Stingray Radio, the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, and Manitoba Music.
The free AE West Artist Extravaganza Showcase happens at the King Eddy on December 3. The evening will feature all 10 artists, each performing two songs. Learn more at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
About AE West
Based on Canada’s Music Incubator’s long-running Artist Entrepreneur program (since 2012), AE West is designed to help emerging artists and bands from all genres build their businesses and careers. Artists will work closely with Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre team of social media, marketing, management, promotion, publicity, funding, touring, songwriting and live performance experts. They will also be introduced to a wide range of active music industry professionals. Artists also have ongoing access to CMI mentors and industry resources post-program.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,800+ emerging music entrepreneurs, across all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. To date, CMI has provided 13,000+ hours of mentorship. CMI also works with private and community partners to curate live events. So far, 2,000+ shows have been programmed, paying artists $3.3+ million. For more information, please visit canadasmusicincubator.com.
About National Music Centre | Centre National de Musique
The National Music Centre (NMC) has a mission to amplify the love, sharing, and understanding of music. It is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in the heart of the East Village in Mohkinstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. NMC is the home to four Canadian music halls of fame, including the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Quebec’s ADISQ Hall of Fame. Featuring musical instruments, artifacts, recording equipment, and memorabilia, the NMC Collection spans over 450 years of music history and innovation. A registered charity with programs that include exhibitions, artist development, performance, and education, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information about NMC’s onsite activities, please visit studiobell.ca. To check out the NMC experience online, including video-on-demand performances, made-in-Canada stories, and highly entertaining educational content, visit amplify.nmc.ca.
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Media Contact:
Julijana Capone, Senior Manager, PR and Marketing
National Music Centre
julijana.capone@nmc.ca | @nmc_canada