The SOCAN Foundation, part of the SOCAN Group of companies, is pleased and proud to announce that singer-songwriters Savannah Ré and Kellylee Evans are the two $5,000 cash prize recipients of the 2022 Her Music Awards, sponsored by Bandzoogle. SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown and past Her Music Award winner Haviah Mighty announced the recipients at an intimate, in-person celebration hosted by previous award winner Nuela Charles in Toronto, on Feb. 9, 2023.
Five $1,000 cash prizes for Her Music Honourable Mentions were also awarded, to Haley Blais, Jorane, Moira & Claire, Tanika Charles, and Zeina. Additionally, the Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.) and Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ) offered a one-year complimentary membership to the two grand prize recipients.
“So happy an award like this even exists. Winning the Her Music Award is a significant achievement, because it’s an award that empowers and recognizes female creators,” said Savannah Ré. “It highlights our talents and contributions to the music industry. It also helps to promote and support female artists, which can be especially important in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. This award will open doors for me and help me pave the way to reaching my goals in my career.”
“I was so surprised and honoured to hear that I had been chosen for this award, alongside Savannah Ré,” said Kellylee Evans. “As my career shifts and changes with the years, my love for creating has not dampened. This recognition gives me the affirmation and the energy to keep going, despite the challenges along the way. I’m so thankful.”
“This important initiative has previously supported trailblazing artists including Haviah Mighty, Leela Gilday, Nuela Charles, and Caveboy,” said Charlie Wall-Andrews, Executive Director of SOCAN Foundation. “We’re thrilled to add the incredible Savannah Ré and Kellylee Evans to the group as this year’s grand prize recipients. We’re thankful for the support of Bandzoogle and community stakeholders that made the Her Music Awards possible, and have allowed us to celebrate in person this year!”
The Her Music Awards is a program designed to celebrate and support female-identifying Canadian music creators on the verge of taking their creative careers to the next level. Applications were judged on a number of factors, including artistic merit, career potential, and impact. The jury was composed of Cécile Doo-Kingué, Carole Facal, Kesi Smyth, Suzie Ungerleider, and jury committee chair Shakura S’Aida.