Write On! Showcase 2026 Program
MC Nancy Laberge
Nancy Laberge leads this intensive eight-month songwriting mentorship program. Write On! is in its 4th season and is tailored for Alberta's emerging talents. With personalized mentorship, industry insights, performance coaching, and a focus on music business essentials, participants not only refine their craft but also foster a tight-knit music community. Nancy's program shapes the next generation of Alberta's music scene, cultivating a legacy of artistic excellence and community support.
Write On! 2026 Participants (A-Z by First Name)
Adam Corkett - Calgary-based songwriter Adam Corkett blends Americana and Folk with the heart of a nomadic Canadian upbringing. A two-time WCMA–nominated artist and co-founder of Two Late To The Party, Adam is returning to his solo roots with a new album of honest storytelling and timeless folk clarity, set for release in 2026.
Ainsley Elisa - a 25-year-old singer/songwriter and dedicated preschool and music teacher, blends heartfelt piano and guitar ballads with vibrant pop anthems. Her artistry inspires young minds and old souls alike to be unapologetically themselves. With international recognition and over 250,000 streams in high school, after 6 years, Ainsley Elisa is returning to the world outside of her hometown to focus on her music.
Ben Pritchett - Ben Pritchett is a 18-year-old Calgary-based singer-songwriter with a rich, soulful voice that sounds far beyond his years. Known for his honest and powerful approach to songwriting and performing, he blends country and folk influences inspired by Jason Isbell and Cody Johnson. Ben has performed everywhere from local farmers markets to Calgary Stampede stages, and his song “Ain’t It Crazy” earned a youth songwriting award at Toronto’s Massey Hall. He is quickly emerging as a compelling young voice in Alberta’s music scene.
Brooke Elquin - is an Indigenous singer-songwriter that creates music for messy bedrooms and staring at the ceiling while contemplating if life truly has purpose. She brings voice to sometimes sensitive topics in a nurturing manner to comfort listeners while maintaining an understanding that not all lyricism must be heavy to be meaningful. Brooke is writing with purpose and preparing to debut new music in Spring 2026, keep up with her on Instagram: @BrookeElquin
Claire Wilkes - Claire’s a graduate of Canada’s Music Incubator AE West program (2025) and has over 14 years of experience as a versatile vocalist onstage and in studio, singing on
albums alongside artists including Jesse Shire, Mitch Jay, Justin Kudding and Denis Dufresne. Claire specializes in delivering powerful soprano vocals that cut through. Her
voice resonates with a unique and unmistakeable character.
Marie Fontaine / Commonwealthgirrl - This self-taught uke player uses songwriting as both anchor and compass, navigating life’s twists and turns with warmth, honesty, and a touch of the offbeat. Edmonton raised her, Germany shaped her, and somewhere in between Marie Fontaine found her ukulele-driven indie folk sound, rooted in storytelling and connection. Since 2015, she’s been a familiar face in Edmonton’s scene, with highlights including Nashville retreat with Andrea Stolpe, SkirtsAfire Festival, and her 2026 release “Big Valley Jail.”
Meera Sylvain - Rooted in the sweeping fields of northern Alberta, Meera Sylvain is an emerging bilingual artist turning heads with storytelling melodies true to her heart. She’s been expanding her reach across Alberta from Ranchman’s Rising Star Semi-Finals, hometown festivals, and into the WriteOn Songwriting program, while continuing to perform at venues in Calgary. Her newest single “Fool’s Gold” is a catchy track with killer vocals and timeless guitar riffs. Find Meera Sylvain’s French and English tunes on all streaming platforms.
Melissa - Melissa Matheson, is a singer/ songwriter from Strathmore, AB. Her songwriting journey began in 2020; as a silver lining of the pandemic. Although the pandemic brought many challenges, it also brought the gift of TIME. Since then she has been channeling her spirit and authenticity into her music; drawing inspiration from the world around her. Songwriting has become her passion… her gift… her therapy. Sharing music and connecting to others through songs, has been the biggest blessing of her journey. Melissa is embracing every opportunity that comes her way and is excited for the road ahead.
Ms. Dooshima - Ms Dooshima blends R&B and Afrofusion with global influences, crafting a sound that feels both timeless and modern. A Canadian artist with Nigerian roots, her music is grounded in soul, storytelling, and emotional depth. With emotive vocals and a magnetic presence, Ms Dooshima draws listeners into songs that explore resilience, self-discovery, and love. Inspired by artists like Beyoncé, Brandy and Lauryn Hill, she brings warmth, strength, and genuine spirit to every performance. Her single Rise and Shine” is an anthem of strength and self-discovery, honoring women and those who shape them.
Noah Hall - 20-year-old singer-songwriter Noah Hall uses his unique lyrics and cozy, indie-pop sound to share his experiences growing up as a young queer person living in Calgary, Alberta. He began on YouTube, posting covers of the songs that spoke to him, and sharing songs he had written himself. He has always made sense of the world through music; it has been a place of belonging, where he has always felt free to express himself. His biggest dream is to contribute to that space of acceptance through his own music, as his authentic self.
Rachel Peace - Originally from Ontario and now Calgary-based, Rachel Peace is a songwriter whose music blends folk, old and alt country, and a blade of bluegrass. Her songs reflect a thoughtful and pensive understanding of the everyday, exploring themes of hope, longing, self-discovery, power - and peace. After spending a few decades getting lost in the daily grind, she is now on a creative journey of unbecoming and renewal, singing hard truths paired with prairie melodies that are divinely delivered at the most mundane of times (usually in the shower or on a walk in the woods).
Sadie Lee - Sadie-Lee is a Canadian pop-country artist, songwriter, and rising talent in the independent music scene. With heartfelt lyrics and melodic storytelling, Sadie-Lee’s music blends pop and country influences into a sound uniquely her own. Reconcile and Bitter Sweet, a fan favourite, have helped her surpass 500,000 streams on digital streaming, establishing her as a rising Canadian music artist to watch. In 2022, Sadie-Lee was nominated for a YYC Music Award in the Prophets of Music Emerging Artists category, highlighting her exceptional songwriting talent and growing impact in Canada’s music industry.
Scott Lennox - Scott Lennox is a Canadian songwriter who began his career touring alongside major acts in the metal scene before turning his focus toward his gift of honest, story-driven songwriting. Now, a modern man juggling hats, a father of six, his music is deeply shaped by the rhythms of real life. And He is currently releasing his first solo album, now streaming on Spotify.
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Tim Scarrott - For years, songwriting has been my medium for exploring emotions and ideas. My sound is an acoustic blend of Indie, folk, and pop with lyrics stemming from unexpected life experiences. A background in carpentry taught about process and craftsmanship. Years of teaching instilled the importance of communication and connection. Personal losses and triumphs gave me renewed perspective. My wife Kendra has taught me what love looks like in its many stages - and watching her accomplish her wildest goals has shown me that anything is possible. All these experiences are distilled into my songwriting.