CBC Music announced Edmonton based pop artist Shawnee as the winner of the 2020 Searchlight competition. The winner was chosen from thousands of applications throughout all provinces and territories across Canada through a combination of public votes and an industry panel. Shawnee is the first Indigenous artist to win the Searchlight competition.
Upon learning that she had won Searchlight 2020, Shawnee told CBC Music,
“I am completely overjoyed and excited. Making the Top 10 to me was an opportunity I was grateful for, and I never expected to be chosen as the winner. I feel overwhelmed with pride thinking back on my journey and feel gratitude for the support. I can’t wait to celebrate, starting at the CBC Music Festival in May and to take these opportunities to continue growing as an artist.”
As part of the Searchlight grand prize, Shawnee will take part in Canada’s premiere artist development program: the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class. This includes a performance spot at the 2020 JUNO Master Class music industry showcase in Toronto, a five-day industry mentorship week, and a trip to the 50th anniversary of the JUNO Awards in Toronto where she will perform at JUNOfest.
Shawnee has also earned a five-day residency at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, with access to recording studios, professionals, and a historic instrument collection that spans more than 450 years of technology and innovation, in addition to a performance slot at this year’s CBC Music Festival at Toronto’s RBC Echo Beach on Saturday, May 30.