City of Kitchener presents two nights of artist development with acclaimed Canadian musicians
Coming to the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts June 4 and 5, 2026, local musicians of all ages, skills and career stages are invited to join a two-night artist development experience.
The series begins on June 4 with Patchwork Songwriting Workshop, an immersive experience featuring Matt Mays, Tony Dekker (Great Lake Swimmers), produced by local singer/songwriter Conor Gains, followed by Finding Your Voice: An Artist Development Workshop on June 5, led by Juno Award–nominated musician Emm Gryner.
Together, the events offer opportunities to explore both the craft of songwriting and the development of artistic identity, highlighting Kitchener’s continued investment in creative growth and the local music ecosystem.
“Kitchener’s creative sector thrives when we invest in opportunities that help artists develop their skills, confidence, and voice,” said City of Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “These workshops bring nationally recognized artists to our community while creating meaningful learning experiences that support both emerging and established musicians.”
Patchwork Sessions invites audiences and emerging music creators into the layered, piece-by-piece craft of songwriting. Songs are often stitched together from small ideas, lyrics, melodies, rhythms, and moments of inspiration, carefully assembled into a cohesive whole.
Blending conversation, performance, and real-time collaboration, this workshop reveals how writers gather and shape these fragments into finished works. Through storytelling, co-writing demonstrations, and a live on-stage “patchwork” songwriting session, participants experience how sections evolve, connect, and transform over time.
Audiences will gain practical insight into lyric writing, melody building, structure, and collaboration, while discovering how creative decisions, like selecting and stitching together different musical “pieces”, bring a song fully to life.
Designed for singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists at any stage, Finding Your Voice is an interactive, hands-on workshop. The session blends vocal activation, creative mindset work, and practical artist development strategies. Participants will explore how to express emotion through their voice, move beyond imitation, and clarify what makes their sound distinct, while building confidence, direction, and achievable next steps.
“This two-night series reflects our commitment to artist development as a cornerstone of a healthy music ecosystem,” said Will Muir, Music Officer for the City of Kitchener. “The Patchwork Songwriting Workshop and Finding Your Voice offer different but complementary entry points into the creative process for both new and seasoned artists.”
Buy tickets online, in-person at Centre In The Square, or by phone by calling (519) 578-1570 or 1 (800) 265-8977.
For more information:
Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
media@kitchener.ca
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.