The Creative School celebrates new Professional Music BFA program with industry party
April 28, 2022 (Toronto, ON) - As the inaugural student cohort completes the first academic year of the one-of-a-kind Professional Music BFA (opens in new window) , The Creative School celebrates with an in-person invite-only event on Wed. May 4th at 6:00 p.m. at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), 80 Gould St. The event will include live music from students in the program including Ashley Sienna (opens in new window) , named 'Rising Star' on Sessions streaming platform, Juno-award nominated Carina Bianchini (external link, opens in new window) and singer-songwriter Natali Rachel, along with music by Ali, Motel ‘67, Selah Weekes and a live set from Toronto's DJ Me Time. The leading-edge degree program located in the heart of Canada’s music and entertainment capital, prepares the next generation of impactful musical artists, changemakers and leaders with skills in analytics, audience intelligence, entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We are looking forward to publicly celebrating this program which is unique to TMU and Canada. It is an interdisciplinary program that caters to the modern music professional, with the goal of creating leaders and innovators in the ever-changing music industry landscape,” says Dr. Steven Ehrlick, associate professor at the RTA School of Media and director of the Professional Music program.
Distinct from traditional music degrees, the Professional Music (BFA) program incorporates various hands-on teaching and learning opportunities centred around three essential elements of the modern music sector: studio production, live entertainment and the business of music. The study of sound synthesis, home recording, live event performance production, and modern do-it-yourself business techniques will resonate with young talented students eager to find their own approach. The program also includes new ways to reach and engage audiences, identify and forecast trends and cultivate in-demand digital marketing skills.
Students enrolled in the program will gain valuable insights on the burgeoning music industry in Canada and learn about digital and technical production, audio recording, entrepreneurship, commerce, law and business, live performance production, audience engagement and much more. The program also houses a top Canadian music incubator for aspiring innovators. The Music Den (opens in new window) ’s resources and programming bring together entrepreneurs, students and industry veterans in an effort to build Canada’s next great music companies.
“It is an exciting time to celebrate the Professional Music program - the first year cohort of students have been busy creating exciting new work both in and outside the classroom! There is an incredible amount of talent around us and this is an excellent time to celebrate this year and what is to come in the program,” says Professional Music Professor Dr. Norah Lorway.
The invite-only launch party is set to include performances by artists who are also students on the program including Toronto-based pop singer-songwriter Ashley Sienna (external link, opens in new window) . Sienna wrote her first song at 11 and has since written 22 more originals, 13 of which are professionally produced and on all streaming platforms. In November 2020, she released her debut EP, “Out Of My Head”, a collection of six feel-good energetic pop songs. Sienna is working on her second EP and is a regular music streamer on Sessions Live. In 2021, Sessions named Sienna top performer on the platform, giving her the title, ‘Rising Star’ - and a billboard in L.A. This led to an opportunity to sing at the Life is Beautiful festival in Las Vegas, with established artists like Billie Eilish. One of her songs is now also being used on the Disney Plus show ‘Diary of A Future President’.
Also performing is artist and current Professional Music program student Carina Bianchini (external link, opens in new window) . At 17 the singer-songwriter and dancer was part of the first-ever group of young people to be nominated for a JUNO Award, one of the country’s most prestigious musical accolades. Bianchini belongs to the all-girl pop-rock band Girl Pow-R, whose six-track debut “This is Us” was nominated for Children’s Album of the Year in 2020.
Shaping the future of the music industry
With seismic shifts in the industry amplified by today’s production, streaming and distribution technologies, increasingly direct audience reach capabilities and social connectedness, the one-of-a kind Professional Music degree program at The Creative School generates forward looking collaborations, partnerships and industry mentorship opportunities that connect emerging talent with Canada’s leading music and entertainment organizations as well as DIY communities, and help launch future careers. The Professional Music program will support music entrepreneurship that is in pace with new and emerging technologies, social trends, music culture and the marketplace, and signals the future of music education.
About The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Comprised of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto. https://www.torontomu.ca/the-creative-school/ (opens in new window)
About Toronto Metropolitan University*
Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University, is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the University is home to more than 46,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and 225,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ryerson.ca (opens in new window) .
*In April 2022, the university renamed and began a new chapter (opens in new window)
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Media contacts:
Tania Ulrich
Marketing and Communication Coordinator
The Creative School
tulrich@torontomu.ca
Ashley Haraburda
Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
The Creative School
aharaburda@torontomu.ca