One guitar, passed from songwriter to songwriter. Join us to hear its next chapters!
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the National Music Centre, in partnership with Write On!, will present a special edition of The Acoustic Guitar Project, spotlighting women and gender-diverse songwriters.
Five Alberta-based artists were selected to participate in this unique collaborative songwriting initiative. Each artist will contribute to the ongoing legacy of a single acoustic guitar that has held countless songs before it.
Participants each spent one week with the instrument to write an original piece, and on March 6, they will share their creations live on stage at the historic King Eddy.
2026 Participants:
EDEN TAYLOR
Eden Taylor is a Calgary-based singer-songwriter known for soulful, pop-leaning songs and an honest, compelling stage presence. A seasoned live performer with hundreds of shows across Canada and the U.S., she connects easily with audiences through emotionally grounded songwriting and strong vocals. With multiple industry accolades and notable festival and theatre performances, Eden is entering a focused new era of releases that highlight her growth as both an artist and a live performer.
IRENE POOLE
Irene Poole is a Banff-born, Calgary-based singer-songwriter and actor. She has captivated audiences with her nature-inspired indie-folk, full of heartfelt lyrics and angelic melodies. Her debut album, The Mountains and The Sea, charted at #13 on CKUA, and was nominated for a YYC Music Award for Folk Recording of the Year. Irene is the 2025 recipient of the YYCMA Emerging Artist Award. Irene has performed at the Canmore Folk Fest, ArtsPlace, numerous lounges and coffee shops, and has toured northern Alberta with Home Routes. No matter the stage, Irene aims to be a storyteller in everything she does.
SADIE-LEE
If you could picture honesty, strength, and beautifully crafted lyrics all in one place, you’d be looking right at Sadie-Lee. This Canadian artist writes the kind of songs that feel like a heart-to-heart with your best friend, real, warm, and relatable. Driven by stories, her own and the ones she sees around her, she blends pop-country melodies with a truth that hits home. Her goal is simple: to write songs that feel honest, familiar, and impossible to forget.
SONIA DELEO
Sonia Deleo is an award-winning singer/songwriter, comedian, playwright, actor and mom. Her folk-soul sound and engaging storytelling make her performances a rich and impactful experience for audiences of all kinds. With two solo albums, one musical, and several singles and collaborations under her belt, Deleo is a force in the Canadian music scene and she is only gaining momentum. With a dynamic vocal range, intricately woven lyrics, and unique melodies, her music stands out in a vast sea of sounds. Watch for her new single In This Village (spring 2026).
TONI VERE
Toni Vere is a Canadian singer-songwriter who turns life’s lessons into songs that hit home. Blending folk, traditional, and a splash of satire, her music tells stories rooted in real emotion, sharp wit, and a deep love of place. With a voice that carries both tenderness and strength, and a pen that doesn’t shy away from truth, Toni Vere is an artist for anyone who’s ever felt broken, brave, or both at the same time.
About The Acoustic Guitar Project:
Created by Dave Adams now located in more than 50 cities, The Acoustic Guitar Project is a global music platform — and concert series — that inspires musicians to write an original song and record it live in one week. Its mission is to encourage a deeper connection between the artist and their art, inspire creativity by simplifying its process to the bare essentials, and to tell truthful, meaningful stories. The Calgary-based guitar, to be housed on display at the National Music Centre, has seen the hands and songs of more than 30 talented local songwriters, including award winners such as Troy Kokol, Matt Blais, Amelie Patterson, T. Buckley, Kris Demeanor, Todd Stewart, and Jenny Allen.