Performers

Miss Pooja, the Queen of Bhangra music, is a dynamic and iconic Punjabi singer who has captured hearts worldwide with her soulful voice and energetic performances. Renowned for her powerful vocal range and unique style, she seamlessly blends traditional Punjabi music with contemporary beats, creating an infectious sound that's loved by fans across generations. With numerous hit songs, collaborations with top artists, and a trailblazing career, Miss Pooja continues to redefine the global music scene, offering an unforgettable musical experience that resonates with listeners from all walks of life.

Geeta Zaildar is a powerhouse of Punjabi entertainment — a celebrated singer, dynamic performer, and versatile actor with nearly two decades of hits that have defined the Punjabi music scene. With a unique voice that blends raw folk energy with modern flair, he first rose to fame with the iconic duet "SEETI" alongside Miss Pooja and has since captivated audiences with chart-toppers like "CHITTE SUIT TE" "HEARTBEAT" and "SAIR". Known not just for his vocal prowess but also his magnetic stage presence and screen charisma, Geeta seamlessly bridges traditional Punjabi culture with contemporary appeal.

Saskatchewan-based Métis singer-songwriter Berk Jodoin’s recent album Fly Away gives us a glimpse into the challenges he has overcome throughout his life, along with unflinching observations of others in similar circumstances. Berk released his self-titled debut album in 2020 and followed it up in 2022 with Half-Breed, which earned him a Saskatchewan Music Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year, along with a 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year.

One of the most exciting young musicians to emerge from Western Canada, Emmett Jerome has established himself as a captivating performer with a world-weary voice that feels wise beyond his years. Rooted in the old-school troubadour tradition, he has traveled coast to coast, chasing songs and soaking up stories along the way. With a bluesman’s heart and a traveler’s soul, Emmett invites listeners into a world where tradition and youth collide. He made his solo debut in 2024 with Rocky Mountain Son (Light Organ Records).

Folk Star Arts Academy are a nonprofit organization that has been promoting, preserving, presenting, and protecting Punjabi culture through the arts since 2019.

Ontario-born, Saskatchewan-raised, and BC-grown, Jessaii is a singer, songwriter, lyricist, recording artist, music educator, workshop facilitator, vocal coach, and music producer. She is also a mother and a lover of all things creative.

As an artist living with multiple disabilities, Jessaii uses her lived experience to be a voice and advocate for others navigating similar journeys.

She is the founder of Queen Level Productions, a company dedicated to supporting and presenting female-identified music artists—especially in genres such as Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeat, Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, and Indigenous music—across BC and beyond. She has a special interest in working with artists living with both visible and invisible disabilities. Big tings!

morning glories is a Surrey-based modern folk trio known for dreamy harmonies and heartfelt storytelling. Comprised of three women, they create, perform, and record original, harmony-led music rooted in themes of intergenerational connectedness, womanhood, and the wonder of nature. Their songwriting leans into challenging concepts. Like the resilient morning glory flower—capable of blooming even in unforgiving corners—morning glories’ music draws beauty from life’s toughest places.

Quilombera Afro-Colombian Ensemble (formerly Suma Qamaña) is an Afro-Colombian music group created and directed by Bruno Bosio in 2014 in Santa Fe, Argentina. The project is now based in Nelson, BC, Canada.

The ensemble recorded an original album in 2016 featuring both Bruno’s own compositions and classics of Colombian folk music by artists such as Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Totó la Momposina, Etelvina Maldonado, Petrona Martínez, and Sixto Silgado, among others. Suma Qamaña has performed extensively across Argentina and Uruguay.

Tambura Rasa is a vibrant fusion of cultures, blending contemporary grooves with traditional rhythms to create an energetic musical identity all its own. Led by producer Ivan Tucakov, this eclectic group of performers from around the globe weaves a rich tapestry of sound and dance, drawing inspiration from the Balkans, Spain, Turkey, the Middle East, and beyond.

In 2024, the full band—Tyler Del Pino and the Brasstronautz—ventured to Western Canada, taking their stellar dispatches and electrifying live show on the road for the first time. This summer, they are embarking on another Western Canadian tour. Del Pino was nominated for the 2022 Music Production Award (London, UK), as well as Album of the Year (In The End) and Male Artist of the Year at the 2021 MCMA Awards.

Uzume Taiko celebrates the rhythm of life with performances that captivate audiences through a uniquely theatrical blend of music and dance. They have crafted a distinctive brand of West Coast Canadian taiko drumming, delivering a visual, sonic, and dynamic experience like no other.