Meet the judges for the 2024 Canadian Music Class Challenge
Educators, professional singers and more will be selecting the winning classes this year
CBC Music and MusiCounts have teamed up again for this year's Canadian Music Class Challenge, searching for greatness, innovation and fun in music classrooms, programs and libraries across the country.
From elementary to high school, to community, library and private music classes, the Canadian Music Class Challenge wants to showcase your take on one of the great Canadian songs from our list for this year.
We can't wait to see and hear what you come up with! So gather all your classmates and get creative to show the judges your best performance.
Below is our panel of esteemed judges who will select the best performances in the different age categories. Learn more about this year's music professionals below:
Deantha Edmunds
Composer, writer and opera singer Deantha Edmunds has made history as the first Inuk professional classical singer in Canada, and in 2023 she was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. Through her work, she has empowered Indigenous communities and garnered nominations for the Junos, East Coast Music Awards and more. Edmunds has released three studio albums, and has performed for notable figures including King Charles III.
Cait Nishimura
Cait Nishimura returns as a judge for this year's challenge. She is a Canadian composer, musician, and educator based in Waterloo, Ont. Known for writing melody-driven, programmatic music, Nishimura won the Canadian Band Association's composition prize in 2017. Her music has been presented at the Midwest Clinic, MusicFest Canada, and numerous other conferences and festivals across North America. She is committed to creating contemporary music that's approachable, relevant and enjoyable for all, and she is passionate about setting a positive example for future generations of musicians — especially those from historically underrepresented groups.
Lane Osborne
Vocal educator Lane Osborne has taught for over a decade across music programs spanning theatre, choral music and guitar for school boards and community choirs. Osborne has worked for the Hamilton Children's Choir as an assistant conductor and is currently the director of the GCVI Chamber Choir, a position she has held since its inception. With the GCVI Chamber Choir, Osborne has performed with Foreigner, Susan Aglukark, Wilco and more. She is passionate about combining traditional choral techniques with popular music.