MENTOR: ALAN CROSS

Alan Cross is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, and speaker. In his 30+ years in the music business, he has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters.

Recipient: Gurjit Thind

MENTOR: ALLAN REID

Allan Reid has been a towering presence in the Canadian music industry for over 25 years. Allan is the former VP of A&R and Marketing for A&M Records and the former Senior VP of A&R for Universal Music Canada. He is now president of CARAS, the organization responsible for the JUNO Awards.

Recipient: Thomas Wildish

MENTOR: ANDY CURRAN

Andy Curran is the bassist, lead-vocalist, and founding member of the bands Caramel, Coney Hatch, and Leisureworld. He has over 25 years of global experience in the music industry including over a decade of experience with Anthem Entertainment Group. He is now a consultant in label services with ole Majorly Indie.

Recipient: Colton Maddigan

MENTOR: BOB SPENCER

Bob Spencer is the President of Metalworks Production Group and Bandworld Staging. He has provided live event and production services to a wide range of clients including Mumford & Sons, Chance The Rapper, Arkells, Billy Talent, Keith Urban, Stone Temple Pilots, and Bon Jovi.

Recipient: Randall Lubin

MENTOR: DAVID BOTTRILL

With three grammy awards and the success of over 15 million albums sold, David Bottrill has produced and mixed career-defining records that have established paradigms and redefined genres. He has worked with artists including Peter Gabriel, Muse, Tool, Rush, King Crimson, and Kid Rock.

Recipient: Ryan Flores

MENTOR: DENISE DONLON

Denise Donlon is a television producer, host, and a member of both the Order of Canada and the Canadian Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame. She was the Director of Programming VP/General manager of MuchMusic and CityTV, President of Sony Music Canada, and Executive Director of CBC English Radio.

Recipient: Shaneen Cotterell

MENTOR: GARY SLAIGHT

Gary Slaight is CEO and President of Slaight Communications. Gary continues to be a driving force in Canada’s music industry and is actively involved in artist development through his company Slaight Music, established with a mandate to invest, nurture, and develop Canadian artists.

Recipient: Eric Bauer

MENTOR: JACKIE DEAN

Jackie Dean is the COO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) – the organization responsible for the Juno Awards and Musicounts. For over 15 years she has worked tirelessly to support the mandate of the organization: to Educate, Develop, Celebrate and Honour Canadian music and artists.

Recipient: Eileen Shan Zou

MENTOR: JAKE GOLD

Jake Gold is the Director and CEO of The Management Trust. He has been instrumental in the development of notable artists The Tragically Hip, The Watchmen, Big Wreck, Crash Karma, Adam Cohen, and Sass Jordan. Jake is Vice Chairman for the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) and a board member for the Music Managers Forum (MMF).

Recipient: Bayan Abou Chacra

MENTOR: JENNIFER ESSIEMBRE

Jennifer Essiembre is a 2009 graduate of Metalworks Institute. She is the former Senior Manager of Songwriter Relations at Spotify and current Director of ole Label Group. ole Label Group consists of three diverse pioneering labels including Anthem Entertainment, Anthem Legacy, and Red Dot. ole is the world's fastest growing rights management company and twelve time winner of the Canadian Country Music Association's 'Music Publishing Company of the Year' Award. ole's extensive roster includes RUSH, Timbaland, Big Wreck, Ian Thornley, The Tea Party, and many others.

Recipient: Cassandra Tari

MENTOR: KARDINAL OFFISHALL

Kardinal Offishall is a legendary Canadian Rapper, Record Producer, and Record Executive. Kardy's 2008 album 'Not For Sale' was certified 3x Platinum in Canada. Since 2013 he has been Creative Executive Director of Universal Music Canada's A&R Team.

Recipient: Kardinal Offishall

MENTOR: NOEL CADASTRE

Noel Cadastre is Drake's exclusive engineer. Noel became part of the OVO team, working alongside 40 after graduating from Metalworks Institute. Noel has also worked with The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, Majid Jordan, Lil Wayne, Partynextdoor, Big Sean, Action Bronson, and more.

Recipient: Alexander Hussey

MENTOR: RALPH JAMES

Ralph James was the President of The Agency Group. He personally helped to cultivate the international success of Nickelback, Billy Talent, Three Days Grace, Mariana's Trench, and many others. Ralph is currently head of APA Agency, one of the largest diversified talent agencies.

Recipient: Minho Lee

MENTOR: RANDY LENNOX

Randy Lennox is one of Canada's most accomplished music and entertainment industry executives. He is the President of Bell Media and the Former President & CEO of Universal Music Canada, where he oversaw the careers of Justin Bieber, Drake, Diana Krall, Shania Twain and Bryan Adams.

Recipient: Renee Soucy

MENTOR: RICHARD MILLS

Richard Mills is one of Canada's most experienced and popular talent agents. For over 30 years Richard has been an agent at The Feldman Agency, one of North America's premier entertainment talent agencies and management groups.

Recipient: Yiu Wah Kung

MENTOR: STEVE BAIRD

Steve Baird is an acclaimed lighting designer who has toured with numerous artists including Dream Theatre, One Republic, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Norah Jones, and Steely Dan. His unique lighting displays have contributed to creating spectacular lighting experiences around the globe.

Recipient: Tom Bowen-Smith

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: DEVONTEE WOE

In recognition of the success of his new album Head Gone, which features Kardinal Offishall, Eyez, and Pro Era’s CJ Fly. Devontee also produced, wrote, and did vocals for Bridgit Mendler’s 2017 indie-hit ‘Temperamental Love’ and he scored the theme song for “Ayesha’s Homemade” which airs on the Food Network.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: JEFF CRAKE

In recognition of engineering contributions to artists including Drake, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd. Together, Jeff, AKA ‘Grimm’ and fellow Metalworks Institute graduate Rainer Millar Blanchaer, form the songwriting & production duo Rainer + Grimm. Rainer + Grimm have done official remixes for high-profile artists including Sam Smith, Jessie Ware, and Years & Years, as well as production work for artists Allan Rayman, William Darc, and others.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: JENNIFER ESSIEMBRE

In recognition of achieving the position of Director at ole Label group – the world’s fastest growing rights management company with offices in Toronto, Nashville, New York, London, and Los Angeles. Prior to taking on the role of Director, Jennifer held three other positions at ole, including Office Manager, Creative Manager, and Senior Manager of Creative Operations for ole’s Pop/Urban division.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: JOHN FIELDING

In recognition of achieving the position of Business Development Manager at Sony Music Canada, developing and executing forward-thinking marketing plans and general project management for distributed, domestic and international repertoire. As an Artist Marketing Manager at Sony, John has worked with artists including Blink 182, Pink Floyd, John Legend, ASAP Rocky, and Britney Spears.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: KATIE MORRIS

In recognition of achieving the position of Royalties Coordinator at Sony Music Canada. Prior to accepting her new position at Sony, Katie worked in rights management at companies including Number 9 Audio Group, Coalition Music, Blackbox Music, and CMRRA.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: NAVRAJ GORAYA - AKA NAV

In recognition of his 2017 Juno Nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the success of his debut album Reckless. The album reached #8 on Billboard's Top 200 and #5 on Billboard's Top R&B and Hip Hop Albums. Reckless was produced by NAV himself along with Wheezy, Ben Billions, Rex Kudo, Charlie Handsome, and Foreign Teck and others, and features guest appearances from artists Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, and Gunna.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: NOEL CADASTRE

In recognition of continued success as Drake’s personal recording engineer and his multiple credits on Drake’s latest album Scorpion. Scorpion was certified platinum in the US on the day of its release. That same day Scorpion broke Spotify's one-day global record for album streams with 132.45 million streams, more than 50 million plays greater than the previous record.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: RAINER MILLAR BLANCHAER

In recognition of his recent SOCAN Award for his contributions to French Montana’s global hit ‘Unforgettable’. The track is certified 8x Platinum in Canada and 6x Platinum in the US. Rainer and fellow Metalworks graduate Jeff Crake have their own label, Bleeding Hearts Club, which they use to release their own music as well as other projects they are involved with.

ALUMNI AWARD OF MERIT: RILEY BELL

In recognition of winning Recording Engineer of the year at the 2017 Juno Awards. Riley mixed and mastered Daniel Caesar’s acclaimed debut-album ‘Freudian’ which was nominated for two 2018 Grammy Awards and won the 2018 Juno award for R&B Soul Recording of the Year. Riley has also worked with top Canadian and international acts including The Weeknd, the Rolling Stones, Nelly Furtado, The Tragically Hip, Arkells, Passion Pit, One Republic, and Jessie Reyes.