SOUNDBRIDGE

Program Overview

SoundBridge is a two-week online music mentorship program that supports young people (aged 16-29) across Canada with disabilities and other access needs to build skills with music and digital audio, and boost their creative confidence.

Across 10 sessions, the program will cover:

Songwriting
Remote collaboration
Recording and arranging audio and MIDI
Completion and self-publishing of work
Artistic career development

Participants will receive adaptive instruction, individualized feedback, and support from both mentors and peers, leading to the creation of a musical piece such as a song or demo recording.

SoundBridge is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of the Telus Friendly Future Foundation.

Program Schedule
Dates: August 10 – 21 (weekdays only)
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM MST (includes 30 minute break)
Registration Deadline: August 7th at 5:00 PM MST

The Facilitators

Lead facilitator Dani Saldo (she/her) is a disabled Filipino-Canadian artist, composer and songwriter who makes vulnerable and conversational music with moody melancholy and dreamy coming-of-age productions. Her work has been featured in Alice Darling (TIFF 2022), MTV’s Teen Mom franchise, and Netflix’s Love Is Blind (Seasons 2 and 8). She has created custom music for brands including Fenty, Puma, and Paramount, and served as lead composer/producer for the 2024 NaAC Sound Residency film Cosmos Report.

Guest facilitator Ming Gao (he/him) is a Toronto-based pop music producer, songwriter, and engineer. He is also the lead singer of indie pop and alternative r&b band Kennen, who has opened for artists like Stacey Ryan at venues like Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre. He has produced songs for artists like Drag Race UK winner Tia Kofi, and Juno-nominated RALPH. His work has earned sync placements with companies such as FENTY x PUMA.

Guest facilitator Ty Vanden Dool (he/him) is a synth-pop artist based in Calgary, Alberta. Balancing melancholic lyrics and atmospheric electronic sounds with upbeat rhythms and memorable riffs, his music has made appearances on Earshot radio charts and has received airplay across Canada.

The Presenting Organizations

The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) presented by TD provides artistic training, creation, and presenting opportunities for artists with disabilities, and shares the power of their creativity through local and global partnerships and advocacy that opens doors for their inclusion in our arts and culture ecosystem. As Canada’s first multidisciplinary disability arts company, the NaAC envisions communities across Canada that recognize, celebrate, and proactively include the talents and skills of artists with disabilities.

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that believes all youth, regardless of circumstance, deserve an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. By funding more than 500 charities each year that provide education and health programs, many enabled by technology, along with providing educational bursaries, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is helping more than 2 million youth in communities across Canada build skills, confidence and feel a sense of belonging.

SoundBridge

Online Music Intensive

10 occurrences

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

August 10, 2026, August 11, 2026, August 12, 2026, August 13, 2026, August 14, 2026, August 17, 2026, August 18, 2026, August 19, 2026, August 20, 2026, August 21, 2026

20 spots left

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Registrant Information

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You will receive confirmation of registration by email.

If you have already filled out a form please click the connect button to the right of this page and connect to your account using your phone number or email on the account. It will send you a code to login. If you have any issues, please call the front desk at 403-253-3174 ext 0.

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What part(s) of songwriting interest you? (check all that apply) *

Toplining (writing the words / melody) Producing (making the instrumental track) Performing (singing as the featured artist)

What music genres interest you the most? *

Do you play any instruments? If so, which instruments?

A significant portion of SoundBridge activities require access to a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) on your personal device in order to participate. Instruction will be delivered using Garage Band (free) and Logic Pro, but teaching concepts will be applicable to any modern DAW. If you choose to use a different DAW to participate in SoundBridge, facilitator support for your software may be limited. You are responsible for ensuring you have adequate technical access to participate in this program, including a suitable computer or tablet, a stable internet connection, and a DAW (Garage Band or Logic preferred). If you are unsure if your technical setup will work for SoundBridge, please email simon.tj@accessarts.ca with any questions.

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This is an online program; please let us know if you have any access needs (do you require closed captioning, ASL interpretation, do you benefit from audio description, prompts for bio breaks, etc.)

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The Artists Guardian

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Terms of Use

By registering for SoundBridge and creating an account with National accessArts Centre (hereinafter "the NaAC"), I agree that:

I will inform the NaAC immediately of any changes to any of the information in this completed registration form.
The NaAC uses the first one to two sessions of participation to assess program suitability and determine if more assistance is required. The NaAC reserves the right to determine if our program(s) are a good fit for me, and/or to request that I attend with a support worker.
I will participate in each session and understand that the NaAC may be required to offer my spot to another artist if do not.
I will let the NaAC know if I am sick or cannot attend a session. If I plan to be gone for an extended period, longer than three sessions, the NaAC may be required to offer my spot to another artist.
I will pay for all materials used for my projects.
I will treat all members of the NaAC with respect and will not discriminate against anyone for any reason.

Publicity

SoundBridge sessions will be recorded and transcribed, and may be broadcast publicly via livestream or as archived material.

From time to time, the NaAC issues publications to promote our programs and the talents of our artists locally, nationally and internationally. These publications include but are not limited to:

Photo
Video
Social media posts
Paper publications
Posters
Marketing materials

I give consent for the NaAC to use captured content (including but not limited to photos, video, audio, and transcribed text) of me and/or my works for exhibition and publicity purposes.

License of Material

Some activities in the SoundBridge program involve the use of pre-recorded music and audio in writing exercises. If I create work that incorporates these materials, I acknowledge that I must obtain written permission (i.e. a license) from the original author(s) before publishing or distributing any derivative work.

The NaAC accepts no responsibility for any claims, liabilities, or damages arising from a failure to obtain such a license. The NaAC does not provide assistance with the licensing process, and makes no representation or guarantee that such permissions or licenses can be obtained. Responsibility for securing any necessary rights rests solely with the participant.

Liability

I am aware and understand that participating in any physical activity might include risks for injury and possible death. I accept this risk and agree to waive any and all claims and liabilities, both now and in the future, against the NaAC for any personal injury, death, damage, loss, or expense that either I and/or my support worker might suffer from participating in any program facilitated by the NaAC.

Consent to Contact for Support, Behaviour, or Medical Concerns

By completing this registration, I acknowledge and agree that the National accessArts Centre may contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) listed on this form if concerns arise regarding the participant’s behaviour, wellbeing, medical needs, or if the participant requires additional support to safely and successfully attend or participate in programming. This communication may occur by phone, email, or other provided contact methods. I understand that this information will be used solely for the purpose of supporting the participant and ensuring a safe and positive environment.

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