TMU alum Naomi Cowan wins 2026 JUNO Award
For Naomi Cowan, winning her first JUNO Award (external link, opens in new window) is as much about self-discovery as it is about achievement.
A graduate of both Media Production (opens in new window) (Class of 2010) and the Master of Digital Media (opens in new window) (MDM) program (Class of 2015) at Toronto Metropolitan University, Cowan won Reggae Recording of the Year — a milestone that reflects years of creative exploration, risk-taking and growth.
Despite growing up surrounded by music, Cowan didn’t initially plan to pursue it professionally. Instead, she focused on storytelling and media, drawn to broadcasting and production as a way to carve out her own identity. Over time, however, music became impossible to ignore.
Naomi Cowan poses with her JUNO Award trophy for Reggae Recording of the Year at the 2026 JUNO Awards Gala held in Hamilton, Ontario. Photo credits: Nick Iwanyshyn - The Canadian Press
That shift became clearer during her time in the MDM program, where she began to recognize the value of her own creative voice.
“The MDM program empowered and enabled me to recognize the value of my unique voice as a creative professional and multihyphenate,” Cowan says. “Having had many experiences at various hackathons and pitch competitions, I developed a sense of confidence in my ideas that allowed me, as an artist, to execute many visions across a wide range of budgets.”
Her time at TMU played a defining role in building the creative confidence that now underpins her work, not just as a musician, but as a creative entrepreneur navigating an evolving industry.
After graduation, a turning point pushed her to fully commit to music, shaping the trajectory of her career. What followed was a journey rooted in both Toronto and Jamaican musical influences — a duality that now defines her artistry.
Now, as a 2026 JUNO Award winner, Cowan reflects on how deeply personal the moment feels.
“Personally, this moment is certainly a proud one,” she says. “Simply because my musical journey, life story, is deeply rooted in Toronto… it feels a bit like everything leading up to this moment was meant to happen.”
Behind-the-Scenes photo of Cowan being interviewed on Breakfast Television Toronto.
Performance footage of Naomi Cowan performing in Toronto.
Beyond the recognition, Cowan is focused on what her journey represents for emerging creatives.
For current students looking to break into competitive industries, her advice is simple: stay grounded in your own voice.
“I would share these notes: ‘keep your creative blinders on,’” she says, also pointing to The Creative Act: A Way of Being as a source of inspiration. “There have been times in my journey where I’ve witnessed myself be distracted by trends… The most important lesson I’ve learned here is that what I have to offer is supposed to come from me and me only.”
It’s a mindset that has carried her from classroom pitch competitions to one of Canada’s biggest stages — and one that continues to shape her evolving career.
“There’s no competition when you run in your own lane,” she adds. As Cowan steps into this next chapter, her story reflects the power of creative confidence, community and trusting your own path.
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
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