Kalra Saab is a GTA-based singer-songwriter blending poetic lyrics with a contemporary, cross-cultural sound. Writing and performing in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, his music explores themes of love, longing, and emotional depth, delivered through a distinctive, expressive vocal style. 

His work balances pop and R&B production with strong lyrical storytelling, creating songs that feel both intimate and widely relatable. Early releases like Main Teriyan earned features on Spotify’s official playlists, while the visual worlds built for his debut EP rollout in 2026, have begun to build a growing audience drawn to his ability to translate feeling into sound. 

Amin is an Iranian traditional musician who began playing santour at age 10. He studied at the University of Tehran with renowned masters and earned his music degree in 2000. He then founded Aref Music School and spent over 25 years teaching and composing. After immigrating to Canada, he collaborated with notable musicians and performed at major festivals with Sarv Ensemble. In 2018, he founded Navak Ensemble, leading to the release of his debut album The Heart Is Lost in 2022. He is a dedicated teacher of santour, Radif, and Iranian ensemble music.

Although Iran has many beautiful and colourful dances, Persian Ballet was banned when Hourasa was born. Classes were held underground and taught by masters who had studied this art in international academies before the revolution. Hourasa was fortunate to study with a master of Iranian dance, who taught Persian Ballet and how to share it with the world. Hourasa practiced relentlessly, over and over, perfecting each movement with passion and determination. From childhood, Hourasa was determined to teach and promote this art globally. At 18, she began teaching in Iran, and after immigrating to Canada, she continued teaching, performing at venues like the Aga Khan Museum, ROM, TIDF, and more. 

Dr. Tara Kannan is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist, educator, and researcher, and the Founder of Swarakriti – school of Hindustani Music, based in Toronto, with a strong online presence and active teaching and performance network across India.

She holds a Doctorate in Hindustani Music from the University of Delhi and is a Gold Medalist at the postgraduate level. Trained under the Guru–Shishya Parampara, Dr. Tara has received guidance from eminent gurus of the Jaipur, Agra, and Gwalior gharanas. Her Gurus are Pt Pradeep Natekar, Prof Ojesh Pratap Singh and Vidushi Pratima Tilak. She is a graded artist of All India Radio and a registered examiner and vocal instructor with Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Formerly an Assistant Professor and Program Director at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, she has guided PhD scholars, curated academic programs, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. Her work bridges performance, pedagogy, research, and voice culture, with a special focus on aesthetics, wellness, and traditional music education.

Dr. Tara has performed at prestigious festivals in India and Canada, and regularly conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations internationally. Through Swarakriti, she is committed to nurturing authentic Indian classical music while making it accessible to a global community.

Diar ( دْيَار )  is a Syrian-Canadian music project led by guitarist and composer Tarek Ghriri, exploring the intersection of Arabic maqam traditions and Flamenco expression. Through a dynamic ensemble of guitar, percussion, and cross-cultural instrumentation, the project creates a contemporary sound rooted in heritage and shaped by migration.

Diar’s performances emphasize improvisation, rhythmic dialogue, and emotional storytelling, often bringing together artists from diverse musical backgrounds. The project has been presented at festivals and venues across Ontario and continues to develop new work for touring and recording, reflecting themes of displacement, identity, and cultural exchange. This term evokes memories of our homeland in Syria, our childhood, friends, family, and first love, and reminds us of our musical roots. As we now call Canada our new home, Diar will be the bridge between our memories in Syria and our present lives in Canada. 

Roa (HyunYoung) Lee is a composer and gayageum musician dedicated to redefining the boundaries of traditional Korean music. Beginning her journey at the age of seven and receiving formal training in traditional performing arts, she has evolved into a fearless musical challenger based in Toronto. While her music is deeply rooted in Korean tradition, she continues to experiment with diverse sounds, as showcased in her recently released fusion music EP. 

Toronto-based singer, songwriter, and composer Illarra reimagines the music of the Arabian Peninsula through a fusion of Arabian folk, Sufi, and jazz. Born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he draws on early training in maqam from Quranic recitation, blending tradition with contemporary expression. Since 2022, he has co-led Hikaya, a band dedicated to innovative arrangements that highlight underrepresented voices of the queer Arabic narratives. Illarra has released his first single (2024), EP (2025) and album عيناك Your Eyes (2026), and performs regularly across Toronto and Canadian stages. His music bridges heritage, identity, and modern storytelling, creating a powerful, inclusive sound.

Kyler Mackenzie is a musician who performs a folk fusion of Celtic and Spanish music on guitar. His musical journey began in the streets of Toronto and has since taken him to such places as Portugal, Spain, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. His music is inspired by the many squares and street corners from where he’s performed. His music tells a story, inspired by many different people and cultures worldwide.

Lilian (Xiaolei) Yang is a distinguished Pipa (Chinese lute) musician affiliated with the China Nationalities Orchestra Society and a member of the Artist Society of Toronto.  

She is a certified music teacher at the China Conservatory of Music and serves as a soloist and instructor for the Canadian Chinese Orchestra. Born in Beijing, China, she began her Pipa studies at age 8 with renowned Pipa soloist Liu Guilian. In 1989, Lilian won the Best Performance Award at the first International Invitational for Chinese Traditional instruments (The ART Cup).

Veenaraga Trio weaves a unique musical tapestry with the veena at its heart. The veena’s classical melodies and skilful artistry form the soul of the ensemble, beautifully complemented by the piano’s graceful Western harmonies that add depth, colour, and a refreshing sonic palette. Anchoring this blend is the earthy resonance of the ghatam, whose vibrant rhythms bring warmth and texture to the trio’s sound. Together, they create an uplifting musical experience that is both soulful and invigorating, a fusion of traditions that gladdens the spirit and awakens the senses with its fresh, expressive energy. 

Sikuris, a Toronto-based ensemble of South American musicians, brings authenticity to its rich musical heritage. The band blends traditional rhythms, virtuosic instrumental solos, and original compositions to create a captivating experience. The band has performed at festivals and venues across Canada. Committed to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Andean region, Sikuris believes that traditional music is a powerful tool for community building and cultural revitalization. Through their music, they aim to inspire a new generation of young people to connect with their roots and communities, creating a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural traditions of the Andes.  

Tanya Hariharan is a 13-year-old Sitarist and performer, widely recognized as one of Toronto’s youngest emerging Sitar talents in Indian classical music. Her musical journey began at the age of 7, and her Sitar training at the age of 9. 

Affectionately known as the “Sitar Kid of Toronto”, Tanya blends heritage with innovation, captivating audiences across the Greater Toronto Area. Featured by Saregama India, her dedication has earned recognition from Ontario Provincial Representatives acknowledging her role as a young cultural ambassador. 

A notable milestone includes performing a heartfelt Sitar rendition of Canada’s National Anthem at a significant community celebration, bridging Indian classical artistry with Canadian identity and earning widespread acclaim.

With over 30 years of experience under his fingers, Nicolas Hernandez’s style has evolved into a distinctive, modern “voice” in the flamenco genre. His debut CD “Buscando mi voz” won a Just Plain Folks Award for Best Flamenco Album in 2009 and his second CD “Rupakerias” was released in 2018. Nicolas was the musical director for the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company for over 20 years and toured the world with the Jesse Cook band for 16 years. Nicolas is presently involved in various projects throughout the flamenco community in Toronto. 

Christopher Hale lives in Toronto’s Gerrard India Bazaar, where he teaches sitar and performs at Indian and Pakistani weddings. His performances feature both North Indian classical sitar and popular Hindi film songs and ghazals. Conversant in Hindi and Nepali, he draws on his childhood experiences in South Asia.

Chris began his sitar studies in 1984 at the age of fifteen while attending boarding school in India. He received a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Berklee College of Music in 1990 and was awarded the Visharad degree in sitar performance in 1998 from the Bhatkhande Music Institute (Lucknow). In 2002, he continued his studies with his current guru, Partha Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee.

From 2000 to 2012, Chris recorded eight albums and toured throughout the Indian diaspora with the Hindi-language fusion band Aradhna, for which he was the lead singer and sitarist.

Sevda Sinan is a Toronto-based singer and multi-instrumentalist with a background in musicology and a passion for teaching at the Cabbagetown Community Music School. Her performances explore the rich heritage of Anatolian music, from spiritual ney melodies inspired by Yunus Emre to the heartfelt songs of Âşık Veysel and contemporary Turkish favourites. Accompanying her voice on the oud, saz, guitar, or ney, she creates warm, evocative soundscapes that bridge Eastern and Western traditions. On cold winter days, her repertoire of Anatolian rhythms and beloved folk songs offers cozy, uplifting melodies that connect deeply with listeners.

Amely Zhou specializes in erhu and guzheng performance. She holds a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from York University. As a soloist and educator, she promotes Chinese music globally through concerts, recordings, and workshops. Her work includes collaborations with the Canadian Sinfonietta and over 20 album recordings. 

Musician, instrument maker, and ethnomusicologist Nuno Cristo was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and holds a Master’s degree in Music from York University. He specializes in the Portuguese guitar, performing as a solo artist and with the fado ensembles Banza Duo and Anima Fado. A recipient of grants from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts, Nuno has self-produced two CDs, collaborated with Nelly Furtado, Béla, and others, recorded live for CBC Radio, and performed internationally in the United States, Macao (China), and Portugal.