FemmeVox 2024-2025

These artists will be working together in pairs to write two brand new compositions, which they will be debuting in front of the live audience. The show starts at 8pm and takes place on the GCTC mainstage.

Previously Featured Artists:

Mia Kelly

Mia Kelly is a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec who writes and performs in both French and English. Mia enthralls listeners with a distinctive blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues and is making her mark in the Canadian folk music scene. Swiftly gaining recognition as a poetic lyricist with a powerful and versatile voice, Mia is a born performer who radiates confidence on stage. With her knack for adapting the stories of the people she has connected with in her life, Mia is an imaginative storyteller who channels her raw and vulnerable emotions through her expertly crafted songs.

In August of 2022, Kelly released her first album “Garden Through the War”. Produced and mixed at Fixed Hinge Studio by Ottawa’s Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova, the record demonstrates maturity in Kelly’s songwriting. Exploring themes of resilience and growth that follow hardship, the album has received recognition from the SOCAN foundation and has been nominated for Album of The Year at the Folk Music Awards 2023. This year, Kelly was awarded Emerging Artist of the Year by Culture Outaouais, is nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards, and represented Canada as a finalist at the 2023 Jeux De La Francophonie.

OK Naledi

OK Naledi is an Afro Fusion music project created by Queer, Motswana Canadian musician Naledi Sunstrum. Traditional sub-Saharan clean guitar lines, classic deep bass, movement-inspiring beats and that iconic, driving Afro House tempo – these are the pieces that define OK Naledi.

Emerging in February 2022, OK Naledi has had incredible performance opportunities and support. From major festivals and showcase performances to award nominations. OK Naled has received generous funding support as well as having their ‘do you feel’ music videos selected for screening at the 2023 Los Angeles Queer Film Fesitval. On March 4, 2023 OK Naledi released their first full length album with a sold out album release event at the National Arts Centre. OK Naledi is presenting themselves as an exciting artist to keep tabs on in the Canadian music landscape.

Suzie Vinnick

A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Roots and Blues singer Suzie Vinnick is a 3X Juno Nominee, CFMA Award winner, and a 11-time winner of the Maple Blues Award for songwriting, female vocalist, acoustic act and more. Suzie has a voice you’ve heard a thousand times and one you’ll never forget. It soars, it growls, it whispers and it shouts from a deep, deep well of emotion. The pure joy she exudes when she plays her guitars is so worth the show. 

In July 2023 Suzie was a special guest of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings at Ottawa Bluesfest along with Daniel Lanois. She has also toured nationally with Downchild, Stuart McLean’s The Vinyl Café, with ASV (Charlie A’Court, Lloyd Spiegel and Vinnick), the John McDermott Band and she performed for Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia and the Persian Gulf. She was also the voice of Tim Horton’s for 5 years.

Her latest album is entitled “Fall Back Home”.

Miss McLeod

Marlayah McLeod is a 18 year old singer, songwriter, musician, performer, entertainer and not to mention, producer, from Ottawa with a dash of Jamaican roots. 

She dropped her 5th album titled “Sugar Khane”, on all platforms, which included many songs that were completely written, produced, arranged, and composed by just herself.

“Miss McLeod”, as she is known on stage and social media, is a multi-instrumentalist performer who can frequently be found putting on interactive live and virtual shows.  She has performed her music for crowds at the world famous Apollo in Harlem, New York, RBC Blues Fest, TD Place, The Museum of Nature, The Ottawa Children’s Festival, Capital Pride Festival, Centrepointe Theatre, The Hard Rock Café and CNE in Toronto to name a few! With the launch of Sugar Khane, she produced and promoted her own Album Release party, which saw over a 100 fans vibing to the fresh tracks.