Empowering Women in the Music Industry (EWIMI) – 6th Edition is a three-day, multi-venue conference and showcase program taking place across Ottawa–Gatineau. Featuring over 17 events in 9 venues—including live and DJ showcases, networking mixers, artist pitching, keynotes, panels, workshops, mentorship, and wellness activities—EWIMI brings together emerging talent, industry leaders, and export-ready artists from across Canada and around the world.
Under the 2026 theme “Cultural Connectors,” EWIMI highlights the vital role of artists and cultural workers as bridges between communities, cultures, and countries. The program fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and relationship-building as essential tools for creating a more connected and equitable global music ecosystem.
Presented by Axé WorldFest in partnership with the National Arts Centre, EWIMI is a national and international gathering dedicated to women-identifying, non-binary, trans, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse artists and music industry professionals, while welcoming allies of all genders into a respectful and inclusive space.
Through thoughtfully curated programming that pairs emerging and established artists and showcases globally influenced, genre-blending music, EWIMI creates meaningful opportunities for artistic exchange, professional development, and community-building—while contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of the region.
4:00 pm | Lantern Room
National Arts Centre
Opening Networking Mixer at Lantern Room - National Arts Centre - until 6pm
Music by DJ Del Pilar - Emcee Janice Jo Lee / Folk Alliance International + Opening remarks by organizers
Official Opening Artist Showcase
Red Carpet Experience
Foyer Fourth Stage National Arts Centre
Doors 6:30 pm | Shows 7 pm
Meet your host
Janice Jo Lee (she/they) is a contemporary folk musician, composer, spoken word poet, actor-clown, and educator based in Toronto. Her artwork explores climate grief, antiracism, loneliness, friendship, and her Korean heritage. She is a dynamic and engaging performer, and performs with guitar, trumpet, vocal looping, and jjangu drum. Janice most recently sound designed and composed for Cahoots Theatre's Searching for Aimai a play about motherhood and mixed heritage, and acted in Dead Korean Girl Comedy Show for Aluna Theatre Caminos Festival. She has toured across Canada with her music and poetry solo and with her trio. Currently, Janice is working on songs from her next album Lullabyes for End Times, and composing a musical adaptation of Minh Ly's play Ga Ting.
Janice Jo Lee
Opening blessings by Algonquin Elder Irene Compton
MC Treasa Levasseur / Folk Alliance International - Opening Remarks by Heather Gibson - Executive Producer, Popular Music & Variety Programming, National Arts Centre
Meet your host
Treasa Levasseur (she/her) wears many hats: performer, writer, culture worker and community educator, among others. She spent 7 years working at Folk Alliance International before taking the leap back into the freelance creative life. Elle est une fière francophone vivant à Hamilton.
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Treasa Levasseur
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Arts Court
2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Daytime Events are Free with RSVP
9:15am - 10am @ATELIER - Yoga by Yanira Heredia, a movement facilitator, yoga teacher, and breathwork guide with over 20 years of experience supporting mind-body awareness in Spain and Canada. Her practice blends yoga, somatic exploration, and meditation to help participants slow down, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and navigate life with greater clarity and ease.
9:30am - 12:30pm - @Courtroom - Lead with intuition. Plan with purpose. Career Development Session with Natalie Bernardin
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Natalie Bernardin
Natalie Bernardin is a prominent leader in the Franco-Canadian music industry with over 25 years of experience in programming, artist development, and cultural strategy. She began as Programming Director of Festival du Voyageur and later led APCM as Executive Director, driving a decade of growth. She founded Amixie Solutions Inc. in 2020, supporting independent artists through booking, management, and consulting. Natalie also fosters cultural exchange between Canada and West Africa and currently serves as Director of Operations at the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, continuing to strengthen the Francophone music ecosystem.
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​10:30am - 12pm - @Studio+Theatre - Artist Pitching Brunch — An updated version of B2B speed meetings, held in the Theatre with networking breakfast in the Studio.
Hosted by Treasa Levasseur and Mitra Shreeram ​
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12:15 pm: Meet the Axé Team - A brief introduction
12:30 - 01:30 pm: Icebreaker
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1:45 - 2:45 pm Panel: Breaking Into South America: Insights from Latin Women Programmers. Speakers and more info TBC.
3:00 – 4:00 pm: The Role of Diversity, Equity & Representation in Festival Programming – Speakers and more info TBC.
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Arts Court
2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa
Daytime Events are Free with RSVP
9:15 - 10:05 am @Atelier - BUILT TO FLY with Kelly Lee Evans - hosted by Fateema Sayani, Axe's volunteer Director of Outreach & Communications
Kellylee speaks about her journey to recovery and sharing her inspiring message of self-care and finding one’s own super powers.​
10:30 - 12:00 pm - @Studio - Meet the Funders & Grant Writing Round Table – Insights from Public Funding Officers that Support Canadian artists and arts organizations / Moderator: Treasa Levasseur
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Alka Sharma - Senior Program Advisor / Ontario Region – Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program - Canadian Heritage
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Noora Sagarwala - Program Manager, Arts Across Canada & Abroad Canada Council for the Arts
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Michelle Holtzkener - Program Consultant at the Ontario Music Office - Ontario Creates
Meet your speaker
Kellylee Evans is an internationally acclaimed, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter known for her powerful, genre-blending performances. With six albums and a global touring career, she has captivated audiences worldwide. After surviving a life-altering lightning strike in 2013 and a concussion in 2015, she stepped away from touring to focus on recovery. Today, alongside performing, Kellylee shares her inspiring journey through speaking engagements, encouraging resilience, self-care, and personal empowerment. Her story resonates deeply with anyone who has faced setbacks, making her both a compelling artist and a powerful voice for healing and transformation.
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Kellylee Evans
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VENUE CHANGE
Fourth Stage, National Arts Centre
1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
1:00 - 1:55 pm - Changing a Culture: Building a Future with Fair Wages and Paid Performances for Artists in Canada
Moderator: Heather Gibson - Executive Producer, Popular Music & Variety Programming NAC
This panel will explore how systemic issues have contributed to a culture where artists are often expected to perform for free or for “exposure.” The conversation will focus on strategies for shifting these norms, establishing sustainable practices, and advocating for policies that ensure fair compensation for artists.
Panelists:
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iskwē - Indigenous artist and advocate for equity in the arts
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Allison Outhit - All Out Arts Management
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Shauna de Cartier - President, Six Shooter Records
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2:00 2:55 pm - Global Network for Women and Non-Binary Music Producers: Listening Session with Hill Kourkouts - Moderator: Marilena Gaudio
3:00 - 5:30 pm - Networking guided tour to the Canadian Museum of History - Bus leaving from the NAC 1 Elgin st at 3:10pm
May 2nd 2026 | Azrieli Studio / NAC
Doors 7 pm | Shows 7:30 pm
Meet your EMCEE
Sarah Onyango is the community producer and host of the monthly African cultural program Fontonfrom on Rogers Television Channel 22 in Ottawa, as well as co-host of the shows Ici l'Afrique, Afrika Revisited and Black on Black on CHUO 89.1FM, the University of Ottawa's community radio station. A long-time advocate for Black history, culture and causes, she has served on the Board of Directors of Black History Ottawa since 2002 and is a volunteer presenter for the United Way of Eastern Ontario's Community Builder Awards program as well as co-chair of Welcome Week in Ottawa.
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Sarah Onyango
TIMEKODE CLOSING PARTY
May 3rd 2025 | D’Afrique Bar
349 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON | 11pm - 23h
Hosting DJs Trevor Walker & Memetic w/ MC Alea De Castro. Featuring DJs Seiiizi & Karyen
