AMP Camp 2012 participants announced

Manitoba Music’s Aboriginal Music Program is pleased to announce the list of invited artists for the 2012 edition of the Aboriginal Music Performers Camp (AMP Camp). A total of 42 strong applications were received, making the adjudication process both interesting and difficult.

AMP Camp is made possible by a partnership between Manitoba Music’s Aboriginal Music Program and the Music Section of the Canada Council for the Arts. The project provides the participants with the opportunity to develop their understanding of the music industry along with their ability to succeed in it. Each day of the five-day retreat includes close to 12-hours of professional development workshops on business topics and creative development labs to help the artists develop their music.
 

AMP Camp will be held at the Misty Lake Lodge in Gimli, Manitoba from March 4-9, 2012. The participants will benefit from the experience and expertise of a faculty of established artists and music industry professionals.
 

The artists who will have been invited to AMP Camp 2012 are (in alphabetical order):
Arthur Renwick, ON
Beatrice Love, AB
Binaeshee-Quae, ON
Blair Goudie, NL
Bonnie Couchie, ON
Cheryl L’Hirondelle, ON
Christa Couture, BC
Discreet Da Chosen 1, BC
Drezus, MB
Dustin Harder, MB
Jade Turner, MB
Kathia Rock, QC
Liv Wade, BC
Liza Jane Brown, SK
Lorenzo, MB
Malcolm Campbell, MB
Moe Clark, QC
Nick Sherman, ON
Sonia Eidse, MB
Tiffany Moses, BC
 

2012 will mark the sixth year for AMP Camp. Past participants have gone on complete albums, receive multiple award nominations, win music awards, and make music their full-time job.
 

The Aboriginal Music Program would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Culture, Heritage & Tourism, Manitoba Film and Music, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings, and Manitoba Music.
 

For more information about AMP Camp and Manitoba Music’s Aboriginal Music Program please visit www.aboriginalmusic.ca.
 

For more information about the Canada Council for the Arts please visit www.canadacouncil.ca.
 

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What past participants say about their AMP Camp experience:
 

“I was finally able to attend AMP Camp in 2010 after hearing about it from afar,” says innovative cellist Cris Derksen. “I had seen how it had helped other Aboriginal musicians take real control of their career, and I was super excited to get the opportunity to attend.”
 

“I wanted to experience something new musically and I wanted to focus only on music with no distractions,” says Jason Burnstick. “AMP Camp was more than that though, and apart from gaining new friends, I got to learn from the lap slide player that I’ve wanted to meet for over 10 years now.”
 

“The best part is the insight and information that is shared; no one has to share anything, they just do,” explains Jasmine Netsena. “We also get to play music with some of the top musicians in Canada and they willingly share their experiences. It seems too good and too fun to be true. I am inspired and I now have loads of new friends and future collaborators.”
 

“The thing I most liked about AMP Camp was the people,” says Sonia Eidse, a talented young songwriter from Winnipeg. “Everyone was so talented and most of all warm, welcoming people. Each person brought their own unique sound too, which is very inspiring.”
 

“AMP Camp opened my eyes to the world of business in the music industry and helped me to grasp on to things aside from just singing,” says Missy Knott from Peterborough, Ontario. “With the help of Heather Kelly and her marketing workshops, I am now aware of how to get my name out there and make it known to the world what it is I do. I’ve never been so thankful for anything- I would still be in the same place I was if it wasn’t for AMP Camp, but instead, I’m progressing and moving forward."
 

“It was the best experience I’d had in such a long time,” says Marcel Gagnon, a talented recording artist with three albums under his belt. “Working with fellow musicians and teachers had opened my eyes and ears to a whole new world and what it takes to succeed in this industry. Thank you AMP Camp for all you have taught me.”
 

“The instructors were knowledgeable, informative and great to talk to. It was such a great week to share ideas and meet new friends,” says Karen Donaldson-Shepherd of Alberta-based band Crow Girls. “I especially appreciated the time the instructors spent with us after work and during meals and in between sessions. I really enjoyed my time at AMP Camp last year.”
 

“AMP Camp was an important moment in my life journey because I gained a wealth of knowledge from just sitting and listening to the stories and experiences of the instructors and talented musicians there,” says Eddy Robinson, lead singer for the Toronto-based drum group Morningstar River. “I will always be inspired by that week at AMP Camp, Gitchi-meegwetch!”
 

“I don’t know where else I could find all this information about the music industry,” says Murray Sylvester, a past participant from the Beausoleil First Nation in Ontario. “Now I know about SOCAN, what the union does, how to work with sound techs and where I can get help. I had a really great time and I’m really glad I could be a part of AMP Camp this year.”
 

“The feedback I received on my performance skills and songwriting was great,” says Jared Sowan, a soulful composer and performer from the Swan River First Nation in northern Alberta. “I went to AMP Camp because I just hit a wall, artistically and I just needed an extra boast to help me get to that next level in my career. I’m still soaking up everything from last week and I can’t even begin to tell you how much AMP Camp has helped me and inspired me.”