REBECCA MERKLEY

Rebecca Merkley is a multi-faceted Theatre Artist whose work has earned her four Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award Nominations. Favorite performing credits include: “Jesus Teaches Us Things” (Play The Fool), “Merk du Sol-Apocalypse” (Edmonton Fringe), “Thorgy and the Thorchestra” (Winspear Center), “Klondykes” (Guys in Disguise/Theatre Network), “Slight of Mind” (Citadel Theatre/Theatre Yes), “Bone Wars” (Punctuate Theatre!), “5 South” (Dammitammy Productions) and “4Play” (Catalyst Theatre). She wrote, produced, directed and starred in several online shows during the 2020-2021 quarantine. These shows include: “Camp! The Radio Play”, “They Wanted to do Chekhov”, “Murder at the Park and Sleep Inn Hotel”, “Letters To No One”, and “Songs To No One”. She also directed/produced a digital version of Calla Wright’s “Christmas Play” (Margin Release) and directed “The Wright Sisters Present The Wright Brothers”, as part of the Saskatoon online Fringe. She and her fellow clowns won the coveted ‘Golden Nose Award’ for their hit single “I wrote a Song” for Play the Fool Film Festival. She was thrilled to lead an Azimuth Theatre workshop last season, and coach recent theatre grads for their Emerge auditions (Theatre Alberta). Her compositions can be found in the sound design for “Pisces”, a new documentary by Darrin Hagen (Theatre Network). She is currently recording a concept album by Darrin Hagen (Guys In Disguise), and will be featured in the film “Character Wound” by Dylan Rosychuk. Her hit play “Jesus Teaches Us Things” will be presented at the 2022 Edmonton Fringe! Rebecca would like to extend her thanks to all the Patrons who continue to support the Arts and to the creators of SkirtsAfire! Check out her work on www.dammitammy.com.

Photo by BB Collective

PHYLLIS SINCLAIR

Distinguished by Maverick Magazine as a “A Lady of Conviction,” singer-songwriter Phyllis Sinclair taps on the conscience of the established ethos to flag distinctions and inequities under a brilliant banner of song. With seraphic vocals she charmingly disarms, soliciting a self-imposed metamorphosis to transform old ways of thinking into new possibilities. A deceivingly quiet and amiable diplomatist, Sinclair’s passion and advocacy are evident in her nurtured prose.

Given the Cree name, Songkeeper Woman by her territory elder, Sinclair says the name comes with a a level of responsibility that she takes to heart. Born on the western shore of Hudson’s Bay in Churchill, Manitoba, Sinclair is a member of the York Factory First Nation. (Kischiwaskahegan Negani Innewiseewin)

A singer-songwriter for over two decades, Sinclair’s proves that “using what you got” works. She has earned awards, and accolades for her deep and affective construction of songs, carrying listeners to places she’s been, and wants to go. Canada’s premium Folk, Roots and World Beat magazine, Penguin Eggs described her song North Coast Fisher Wife’s Prayer, from her debut album Fence Posts and Stones, as “positively impressive.” Her second release, Fathomless Tales from Leviathan’s Hole, earned her a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award nomination for Best Folk Acoustic Album. From this album her song, The Manicure, was selected by Musicians with a Cause to be included in their “More Life in the Years” CD compilation. Her song was selected out of over 350,000 entries world wide. Dreams of the Washerwomen was selected by Radio Canada International’s Brazilian sector as a best new recording by a Canadian artist. It also earned her a Best Folk Acoustic Album Award by the CAMA Awards. Phyllis was nominated as Female Entertainer of the Year by the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for her extensive tours. Her newly released album Ghost Bones, ranked #1 on the National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart, garnered two Top 10’s on the National Indigenous Countdown, one of these songs, “O Land” placing #1. Ghost Bones has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award.

Photo by Bill Meachim

KAELEY JADE

Armed with a soulful, velvety voice, Edmonton-based Métis actor and singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade effortlessly blends lush poetry and hooky melodic lines to craft music that is both playful and poignant. A Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards nominee, Kaeley has performed at events including the Taste of Edmonton, Tkaronto Music Festival and Edmonton International Fringe Festival. Her music has received radio play across North America, has been added to major playlists across streaming giants, and has been placed in several film/television productions. Reminiscent of artists like Maggie Rogers and Vance Joy, Kaeley explores the beauty and complexity of human relationships in her vibrant and polished folk-pop.

Photo by Chelsea Wiebe

RACHEL GLEDDIE

With lyrical honesty, heartache, and contemplative melodies, Rachel Gleddie is an emerging singer/songwriter who writes music that doesn’t beat around the bush. Influenced by multiple genres (folk, alt-country, pop), her music is both genuine and intriguing. Her highly anticipated debut EP, “Silhouette,” was produced by the JUNO nominated team, Towers, and was released September 18, 2020.

Photo by Roughley Originals Photography

ROBIN CISEK

Robin Cisek is a singer/songwriter who creates melodic and moody, electro-pop with introspective and vulnerable lyrics. Robin Cisek emerged into her music career after years of struggles with health problems. These experiences have further fueled her growth as a songwriter and inspired her to write about them. Robin’s inspiration also comes from her Indigenous heritage which takes form in music through her alternative beats and lyrics. Robin released her first commercial songs in 2018 and the single, “Waiting on You” claimed the #1 spot on an Indigenous International Radio chart and remained on the countdown for 24 weeks. With her Freshman album, released in June 2021, Robin shows her dedication to creating music that has a profound meaning while being melodic, catchy and listenable. Through her new music she discusses the deep meanings and emotional aspects of mental health while infusing the 6 songs with lyrics and sound that is full of hopefulness and a positive outlook on the future. Her album is an ode to those dealing with mental illness and a celebration of their strength and resiliency.

LISE

Lise’s spontaneous writing style reflects her day to day life thoughts, interactions, experiences and imaginations, while also laying out all of her emotions and feelings for all to see. Her vision is to musically capture pieces of a picture in hopes that when you eventually put everything together you’ll get a glimpse of what’s actually going on inside her head, and maybe see what makes Lise… Lise.

“So at the end of the day I make music to figure out more about myself and to figure out… who am I?”

CYNTHIA HAMAR

Cynthia Hamar is an Alberta-born metis, singer songwriter with four albums to date. Soothing and calm, passionate and introspective with a band or without, Hamar will take you on a journey you will feel. Hamar’s most recent album Joint & Marrow is set to release spring of 2022.

BELLA LÉCHOT

Bella Léchot (she/her) is a queer, Danezaa and Swiss singer-songwriter based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ Treaty 6 Territory, or so-called Edmonton, Alberta. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at MacEwan University with a minor in songwriting. Bella views music as a form of medicine and a creative medium for healing, expression, strength, and unity. She is very passionate about celebrating and creating a safe space for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and otherwise marginalized people in her field.

DYLAN ELLA

LILY MONAGHAN

Born and raised in Edmonton, Lily Monaghan is a blues/folk singer-songwriter with a warm, unique tone. Often using a biographical approach to songwriting, she creates a raw and soulful atmosphere for anybody who listens. Studying in 4th year of her Bachelor of Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music, she dedicates her time to improving her skills as well as adopting new ones. Lily seizes any opportunity to create music, drawing inspiration from many songwriters including Brandi Carlile, Hozier, and Stevie Nicks.

ALEXX REYES

ESTHER FORSETH

CARLA JAYNE

Carla Jayne is an alt-country singer-songwriter originally from Hanna, Alberta, but now based in Edmonton, Alberta. Combining Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow, her music uses catchy melodies and the prairie she grew up in to tell rich stories. Completing a Bachelor of Music from MacEwan University, Carla has performed at many venues around Edmonton, including Have Mercy, the Station, Café Blackbird, Skirtsafire Festival and Kaleido Festival, and took part in the Ignites Series Workshops put on by the Tiny Lights Festival out of Ymir, BC.

KAREN DONALDSON SHEPHERD

Karen Donaldson Shepherd is an Indigenous (Nihiyaw/Cree) singer, songwriting, violinist,  musician, and composer living in Edmonton, Alberta. She is enrolled in the Bachelor of  Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music program at Macewan University as a  Composition Major. 

She has travelled to South Africa, The Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, South Korea  and Malaysia performing both as a soloist and in various musical groups in the past 2  decades. 

She formed a folk group called, “The Crow Girls” and was awarded a 2008 Native American  Music award for Best Folk Album.  

Her original music scores have appeared on short films and documentaries, including  Nathaniel Hehir’s “The Stonekiller”(2020), and Chehala Leonard’s documentary, “Living a  Legacy”(2021). 

She has also worked on an arrangement for Laura Vinson’s song, “Meegwitch”. This  arrangement is a four-part harmony, with melody, for a small choir.