The Canadian Music Centre announces
new Director for CMC Prairie Region
Janna Sailor
CMC Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Janna Sailor to the senior management team of the Canadian Music Centre as the new Director of CMC Prairie Region, effective August 19th, 2024.
“I am delighted for Janna to bring her skills and dedication to our pan-Canadian leadership team, a team that is passionate about supporting contemporary music in Canada. I’m inspired to work with her for the benefit of all contemporary music communities in the country.” Holly Nimmons, CEO, Canadian Music Centre
Hailed by critics as “charismatic, crisp, precise, and elegant”, Janna Sailor has firmly established herself as a conductor, violinist, and groundbreaking visionary on the Canadian music scene. Originally from rural Saskatchewan, she began her musical studies at age three, and started performing with professional orchestras at age thirteen.
“I am honoured to be stepping into this role and to work alongside the amazing team of directors nationwide at CMC. As a conductor and performer, Canadian music has been a major influence and inspiration in my career, and I eagerly look forward to serving and supporting and promoting composers in this role.” Janna Sailor
Listed in 2023 on the Women in Music Canada’s “Honour Roll – 10 Female Artists to Watch”, and Winner of the Betty Webster Award for Orchestral Innovation from Orchestras Canada, Janna combines diverse experiences on the international stage with a deep sense of community, equality, and social justice. Janna’s creative output is firmly rooted in the conviction that classical music should be inclusive and accessible to all. This guiding principle has led Janna to work on a number of arts-based social initiatives, including music instruction for disadvantaged youth in downtown Vancouver’s Eastside, fundraising and outreach activities for immigrants, and establishing music therapy programs.
Most notably, Janna is the founder and Artistic Director of the Allegra Chamber Orchestra which is a vibrant ensemble of professional female-identifying musicians with a social action mandate to champion the works of female minority artists and to enact change through music. Allegra has done extensive work in developing Indigenous repertoire and amplifying Indigenous artists, most recently through the appointing of their Artist in Residence (Métis soprano Melody Courage), and the premiere of The IndigiDivas, a large-scale orchestral show featuring four Indigenous opera singers that premiered in both Vancouver and Calgary in January 2024.
Janna is currently completing an Executive MBA with the Global Leaders Institute for Arts Innovation. Specializing in arts innovation, the program focusses on social entrepreneurship, cultural management, sustainable impact, and community development.
“We are excited to welcome Janna as the new Director of the CMC Prairie Region. The hiring committee was impressed by her dedication to contemporary Canadian music and her commitment to including all voices in that music. With her stellar background, we see incredible opportunities to expand the incredible work the CMC already does in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.” Allan Gilliland, Chair, CMC Prairie Regional Advisory Council
The CMC gratefully acknowledges outgoing CMC Prairie Director, John Reid for his rich contributions to the CMC and the communities we serve. John is retiring after 36 years of service to the CMC. He has been an invaluable member of the CMC and a strong supporter of artists and music creation. Since 1988, the CMC Prairie Region has been very fortunate to have his leadership and guidance. He has built rapport with the composer community across the region and has been a champion of new music in both the legacy and new composers’ circles. He has been an advocate and champion of music across all genres. John’s commitment to building the lending library has resulted in what is now the Violet Archer Library with over 20,000 scores.
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About the Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre is a catalyst that connects you to the ever-evolving world of Canadian musical creation through performance, education, and promotion. The CMC provides unique resources for exploring, discovering, and performing Canadian music. We are passionate about nurturing a musical community that honours our legacy and supports the professional development of Canadian musicians and composers. The Canadian Music Centre inspires fresh perspectives, celebrates inventive composers, and provides transformative experiences. We champion artistic diversity and embrace Canada’s rich cultural heritage in creative centres across the country and internationally.
About the Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region
Established in 1980, the Prairie Region of the Canadian Music Centre includes the three prairie provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Under the direction of John Reid, the offices are located on the University of Calgary campus in the state-of-the-art Taylor Family Digital Library. It is home to the Violet Archer Library which contains over 20,000 scores available for free circulation. The Prairie Regional Office works closely with local music organizations to promote Canadian composers and Canadian music.
For more information, please contact:
Holly Nimmons, CEO
416.961.6601 x301 holly.nimmons@cmccanada.org
CMC Canada
Website: cmccanada.org Facebook: @CanadianMusic Twitter: @cmcnational Instagram: @cmcnational
Prairie Region:
Website: pr.cmccanada.org Facebook: @cmcprairie Twitter: @cmcprairie Instagram: @cmcprairie
