Song Circle Alert!

Guest Artists:

Melanie Peterson - Melanie Peterson, the Saskatoon-born, Toronto-based singer, songwriter, and actress, emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic firing on all cylinders and had an impressive 2022. She opened for Pursuit of Happiness at The Sound Of Music Festival in Burlington, received the “Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting Award” from the Great American Songwriting Competition, and released her single “Somebody’s Somebody” from her EP “We Got This – Side Two” to much critical acclaim. Her 2023 was equally eventful, with many headlining shows at the legendary Dakota Tavern plus an acting role in Chucky, the very bloody television series. Melanie has been referred to as “Mary Poppins with a broken heart” by BBC Radio and has been recognized as having “a beautiful voice” and being a “terrific songwriter” by Joe Warmington of the Toronto Sun.

Drea Lake - One of the things that have always made Canadian music unique are many artists’ close relationships with the environment. The inherent intertwining of the beauty of the natural world with the creation of unforgettable lyrics and melodies will always shape our culture, and singer/songwriter Drea Lake is directly connected to that tradition.

Splitting her time between Montreal and the rustic town of Elora, Ontario, north of Guelph, Drea is poised to release her third single, “Dreaming Peacefully,” following up her previous offerings, “Bird In Your Window” and “Disappear With Me,” which established her as a dynamic new voice within the Canadian pop/folk music scene over the past two years.

Daisey Lin - Daisey is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter rooted in acoustic folk-pop and soft rock sounds paired with narrative-centered lyrical storytelling. Born in the Pacific Northwest and raised in the Canadian prairies while currently residing on Treaty 13 land as a member of the Chinese diasporic community, Daisey can frequently be found contemplating the meaning of the ground beneath her feet. Her music is locally-grown and drawn from the urban landscapes, green spaces, and people of the city, ranging from vulnerable personal contemplations to grandiose cinematic tales. Daisey loves cats, contemporary fiction, and seeing the magic in all things.

Host:

Coraline James - Coraline James is an alt folk musician from Kitchener, Ontario who self-describes as a forest gremlin who emerges from the woods to make music.

James' music reflects her deep connection to nature, her background as a Baroque musician, and growing up on her mom's Elvis and Beatles albums. She is often compared to Damien Rice for his melodic sensibilities, Kate Bush for her quirky theatricality, and Adele for her powerful vocals.

In August 2023, James unveiled her debut EP, In the River, produced by the esteemed Juno Award-winning producer, Michael Wojewoda. Thanks to funding from the Ontario Arts Council and Region of Waterloo Arts Fund, Coraline will be releasing her second EP in May 2025.