Grant Helps Young Composer Gain National Exposure

Carmen Braden, an emerging composer and musician from Yellowknife, received funding to travel to Vancouver to perform at a juried showcase at Pacific Contact, the BC Touring Council’s flagship event.

An opportunity to make a name for herself

Pacific Contact is an annual showcase and booking conference for the performing arts in BC. Presenters come to the event to book performers on behalf of organizations, schools, festivals and facilities from coast to coast to coast—and beyond. Braden’s performance at the showcase provided her with an unprecedented opportunity to show off her talent to presenters from across the country. It was the first time she had been selected to perform as a solo artist at a major showcase event in Canada.

Opening the doors to new opportunities

Braden, who is known for her instrumental, vocal, choral and electro-acoustic music, described her 15-minute set of original songs at the event as “one of the most intimate, well-timed, and original performances of the evening.” She is confident that her appearance went a long way toward improving her exposure, not only with West Coast presenters, but also with those from across Canada and abroad. It also led to interest in future bookings for her as a solo performer.