The Winnipeg Folk Festival is proud to announce applications are now open for the 25th edition of the Young Performers Program (YPP), which runs from July 8-10, 2026. Celebrating 25 years of supporting young artists, the program invites musicians aged 14–24 from across Canada, and beyond, to take the next step in their artistic journey by performing on a Winnipeg Folk Festival stage.
The program, supported by the National Arts Centre, offers the selected musicians to spend two days participating in workshops and mentorship sessions led by artists from the Winnipeg Folk Festival lineup and respected music industry professionals. On the last day, the Friday of the festival, participants perform on the Shady Grove stage in front of a festival audience, an opportunity to share their music in a supportive environment.
“As a performer who participated in the program several times in my youth, I can confidently say that it had a profoundly positive impact on who I am as a musician today,” said Micah Erenburg (The Secret Beach). “The opportunity to connect with mentors and fellow musicians in my age group, both locally and from abroad, was a uniquely special and invaluable experience. I cannot say enough about how much the program has contributed to my growth, as well as to the development of so many of my contemporaries in the Canadian music scene.”
Since its launch in 2000, the Young Performers Program has welcomed countless talented musicians. Many alumni have gone on to build successful careers and some have even performed on Winnipeg Folk Festival stages, including Micah Erenburg (The Secret Beach), Faouzia Ouiya (Faouzia), Liam Duncan (Boy Golden), Dylan McDonald (Field Guide), Roman Clarke, Grant Davidson (Slow Leaves), Brandy Zdan, Olivia Lunny, Cara Luft, Daniel Champagne, Ariel Posen, Allison DeGroot, Richard Inman, and Amber Nielson, Jess Rae Ayre and Michelle Anderson (Sweet Alibi).
Applications for the 2026 program are now open, with a deadline of April 10, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca.