75th Birthday Celebration and new Partnership with CIOE-97.5FM, May 2, 2019

Come on out and celebrate 

with us on

May 2, 2019 
from 1 - 3 p.m. 
at CIOE-97.5FM

11 Glendale Ave, Unit 4

Lower Sackville, NS

On May 2, 1944 the Nova Scotia Talent Trust's funding papers were signed by Harold Connolly Minister of Industry and Publicity, John E. Lloyd Mayor of Halifax, and Henry F. Munro Superintendent of Education.

We are celebrating our 75th Birthday with a new partnership and the launch of the Talent Trust Artist Spotlight radio show.

Jim Robson, Chairman of CIOE-97.5 FM states: “I am delighted with the newly formed partnership between Nova Scotia Talent Trust and CIOE-97.5 FM on the eve of your amazing 75th Anniversary. The natural synergies flowing between our two cultural organizations will ensure that Nova Scotia's rich treasury of talent across all artistic disciplines is properly recognized, celebrated, and presented to the public through special dedicated radio programs and concerts that are streamed live around the world, along with other cooperative cultural initiatives. Together, we will create infinite opportunities for the enhancement and ongoing development of Nova Scotia's world-class artistic community.”

The Talent Trust Artist Spotlight will be hosted by Breagh MacKinnon, NSTT board member, scholarship alumni, and singer, songwriter with Port Cities. The show will air on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., premiering May 2nd.

“I am honoured and excited to be hosting the “Nova Scotia Talent Trust Artist Spotlight. I look forward to getting to know our Talent Trust Alumni and bringing you unique and original content from some of the many ground-breaking artists we have supported for the past 75 years. Hear stories, performances, and interviews you can't find anywhere else!” Breagh MacKinnon.

Since 1944, the NSTT has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country.

For more information, go to nstalenttrust.ca

ABOUT CIOE-97.5FM
CIOE-97.5FM is a not-for-profit radio station operated by the Cobequid Radio Society (CRS) whose board of directors reflect a diversity of backgrounds and are representative of communities across the region that we serve. Established in 2015 CIOE houses an in house concert studio, art gallery and broadcast premisies.

CIOE 97.5FM is the Voice and Home of East Coast Music, committed to over 97.5 Hours a week of East Coast Music of all genres. CIOE’s primary mission is to deliver a top quality broadcast service whose inclusive community driven spoken word initiatives, special music based programs, and eclectic hybrid music format, is dedicated to informing, educating, stimulating, and entertaining listeners of all ages and promoting and exposing the talents of East Coast Artists throughout Atlantic Canada, nationally, and beyond.
For more information go to communityradio.ca

ABOUT NOVA SCOTIA TALENT TRUST Since 1944, the Talent Trust has provided more than $2 million to over 1,000 Nova Scotians, primarily young people, who have demonstrated talent and potential to become professional artists in theatre, dance, fine craft and design, music, circus arts, media, film, literary, and visual arts. There is no other comparable organization in the country. In 2019, the Talent Trust is celebrating its 75th anniversary year featuring former scholarship recipients with a traveling art exhibition, pop-up events in theatre, music, and dance, film screenings and more.

The NSTT is supported by the 2011 Canada Games Legacy Fund, RBC Foundation, The Craig Foundation, the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council, Dalhousie Music in Medicine HEALS Program, Support4Culture, NSTT Foundation, Cecilia Concerts, Visual Arts Nova Scotia, Theatre Nova Scotia, Debut Atlantic, Craft Nova Scotia, immediaC, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, Community Radio CIOE 97.5 FM, Symphony Nova Scotia, Neptune Theatre, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, RadioOui98.5, Mocean Dance, Art Gallery of NS, Cape Breton University Art Gallery, MSVU Art Gallery, Halifax Central Library, Halifax Municipality, and Arts Nova Scotia. The NSTT is pleased to work in partnership with the province to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.

Breagh Mackinnon Plays for the Juno Awards with her Port Cities Band on March 17, 2019.

As a member of Port Cities, past recipient and current Board member, Breagh Mackinnon was selected to perform in front of over 1,200 music industry elite at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on March 17 2019.

From http://www.portcities.ca/

This follows her participation in the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, where Breagh and her bandmates received industry mentorship courtesy of The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music.

This masterclass and performance adds to a list of growing accolades including 2019 East Coast Music Award nominations for Songwriter of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, five 2017 Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for “Back to the Bottom”), and stints at #1 on CBC and Spotify charts. Breagh Mackinnon with Port Cities has amassed over 1.5 million streams internationally, showcased at The Great Escape, Focus Wales, and the Reeperbahn Festival, and will be releasing their debut in the U.K. and Germany this year.

Read more about her Nova Scotian influence in a recent CBC article and watch her performance on JUNO Awards.

Port Cities wraps up 2018 with a show at Casino Nova Scotia December 28

 Port Cities: Dylan Guthro, Breagh MacKinnon, Carleton Stone

Breagh MacKinnon and her Port Cities bandmates Dylan Guthro and Carleton Stone return to Halifax to perform at Casino Nova Scotia on December 28.  

Breagh is a Talent Trust scholarship recipient who received the Talent Trust Chico Berardi Special Award for Excellence in 2013. 

She was a nominee for the Nova Scotia Music Best New Artist award as well as an East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Rising Star award that same year.

We’re very pleased to have Breagh on the Talent Trust Board of Directors.

In 2016 Port Cities won Artist in Residence at Casino Nova Scotia. The following year they released their multi-award winning debut record, “Port Cities”.

They received five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for their song “Back to the Bottom”), and hit #1 on CBC and Spotify music charts. The band is also multiple ECMA award nominees.

They recently performed in two sold out shows with Symphony Nova Scotia and released their latest single “Montreal”.

A new Port Cities album is due out in 2019.

Show details
December 28, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.
Casino Nova Scotia

Tickets: $40 from the Casino Nova Scotia website.

Port Cities Nominated for Digital Artist of the Year at the 2018 Nova Scotia Music Awards

Port Cities: Dylan Guthro, Breagh MacKinnon, Carleton Stone
nominated for Music Nova Scotia Digital Artist of the Year

Breagh MacKinnon and her Port Cities bandmates Dylan Guthro and Carleton Stone are nominated for Music Nova Scotia's Digital Artist of the Year award.

The awards will be handed out at this year’s Nova Scotia Music Week, which will take place in Truro.

Breagh received the Talent Trust Chico Berardi Special Award for Excellence in 2013. She was a nominee for the Nova Scotia Music Best New Artist Award as well as an East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Rising Star award that same year. 

In addition to their busy tour schedule, Port Cities made their Symphony Nova Scotia debut in a concert during this year’s Halifax Pop Explosion. Their latest single “Montreal” dropped on October 19. 

The band has received five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for their song “Back to the Bottom”), and hit #1 on CBC and Spotify music charts. They’re multiple ECMA award nominees.

Nova Scotia Music Week is a professional training and networking opportunity with workshops, receptions, over 100 showcases of emerging and established artists. The four-day conference celebrates Nova Scotia artists and industry professionals.

Founded in 1997, Nova Scotia Music Week attracts over 1,100 music industry professionals and 7,000 members of the general public.

The Music Nova Scotia Awards celebration takes place on Sunday, November 4 at the Holiday Inn in Truro. The celebration begins at 7:00 p.m.

All of us at the Talent Trust send our congratulations to the Music Nova Scotia Awards nominees. 

To learn more about Port Cities and sample their music, visit portcities.ca.

Breagh MacKinnon Joins Nova Scotia Talent Trust Board of Directors

Breagh MacKinnon has joined the
Talent Trust Board of Directors

We're thrilled to tell you Breagh MacKinnon has joined our board of directors.

Breagh received the Talent Trust Chico Berardi Special Award for Excellence in 2013. She was a nominee for the Nova Scotia Music Best New Artist award as well as an East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Rising Star award that same year.

Breagh, Dylan Guthro, and Carleton Stone are making their collective mark as the band Port Cities. Port Cities has received five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for their song “Back to the Bottom”), and hit #1 on CBC and Spotify music charts. The band is also multiple ECMA award nominees.

They make their debut with Symphony Nova Scotia as part of the Halifax Pop Explosion this month, before resuming their concert dates across Canada. 

Breagh recently joined an all-star cast of Nova Scotia musicians for Halifax rapper Classified's acoustic version of his song, Powerless, which was released to support the IWK Hospital's SeaStar Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. 

She's also on the Music Studies faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College.

From Breagh: "As a recent recipient, I’m proud to say the Nova Scotia Talent Trust played an important role in supporting me as I finished my Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, and embarked on my career as a professional musician.

"I have seen firsthand the impact that this organization can have on emerging artists. I am honoured to join the board, and look forward to engaging both new artists and NSTT alumni who continue to contribute to the thriving creative community in Nova Scotia."

To learn more about Breagh, visit breaghmackinnon.com.

This story was first published in our October newsletter. Subscribe to get every issue delivered to your inbox!

Port Cities Debuts with Symphony Nova Scotia in 2018 Halifax Pop Explosion

Tickets are going fast for this one — Breagh Mackinnon, with Port Cities bandmates Carleton Stone, Dylan Guthro, will perform in their first-ever concert with Symphony Nova Scotia on October 19 and 20. The show is part of the 2018 Halifax Pop Explosion. 

The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax is the perfect setting for Port Cities' atmospheric, intimate sound, which will feature brand-new orchestral arrangements, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. 

Breagh received the Talent Trust Chico Berardi Special Award for Excellence in 2013. She was a nominee for the Nova Scotia Music Best New Artist award as well as an East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Rising Star award that same year.

Port Cities has received five Nova Scotia Music Awards, a SOCAN #1 Award (for their song “Back to the Bottom”), and hit #1 on CBC and Spotify music charts. The band is also multiple ECMA award nominees.

Ticket Information

October 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

October 20, 2018 at 7:30 pm

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax

To purchase in person

Dalhousie Arts Centre (Rebecca Cohn Auditorium Box Office)

6101 University Avenue, Halifax NS

Monday-Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and one hour before each concert

By phone (service charge applied)

1 800.874.1669, or locally at 902.494.3820.

Monday-Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm, and one hour before each concert

For more information on the concert and tickets visit the Symphony Nova Scotia website.

Breagh MacKinnon Performs with Classified and Nova Scotian All-Star Cast for the SeaStar Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Breagh MacKinnon, Classified, David Myles. Photo by Mo Phung

Breagh MacKinnon (pictured above left) is one of a group of Nova Scotian artists assembled by Juno award-winning Canadian rapper Classified to create awareness for the SeaStar Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. 

The group came together in late April at the Sonic Temple recording studio to produce an acoustic video for Classified’s song “Powerless”. The original version of the song has received media attention across Canada for giving a voice to children and women who have suffered abuse, as well as murdered and missing Indigenous women. 

You can watch the just-released acoustic version of "Powerless" here: https://youtu.be/5ewVvq9pkD4

The video features an all-star cast of Nova Scotian musicians including David Myles, Joel Plaskett, Rose Cousins, Elijah Will, and Neon Dreams.

The SeaStar Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is based at the IWK Health Centre and offers a coordinated response for children who have experienced violence and abuse. For more information about SeaStar visit iwkfoundation.org/seastar

Breagh Mackinnon Nominated for East Coast Music Award

Port Cities: Breagh Mackinnon, Carleton Stone, Dylan Gutho

Lucky ticket holders will see singer-songwriter Breagh Mackinnon perform at the 2018 ECMA Awards Show with her bandmates Carleton Stone and Dylan Guthro, collectively known as Port Cities. 

The Nova Scotia trio is nominated for Pop Recording of the Year, for their self-titled record Port Cities. Breagh was nominated for the ECMA Rising Star award in 2013.

The ECMA Festival and Conference runs from May 2-6, with the awards show on May 3 at the Scotiabank Centre.

Congratulations Reeny Smith, Helios Ensemble (Eszther Horvath) and Port Cities (Breagh Mackinnon) on your nomination for Music Nova Scotia Awards

Congratulations to all Music Nova Scotia Award Nominees!

Former Scholarship recipients are nominated for the following Music Nova Scotia Awards:

Delta Halifax & Delta Barrington Entertainer of the Year

• Port Cities (Band member Breagh Mackinnon 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award)
• Reeny Smith (Talent Trust 2010 Portia White Award)

African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year - Sponsored by the Town of Truro Diversity Advisory Committee

• Reeny Smith (Talent Trust 2010 Portia White Award)

Digital Artist of the Year - Sponsored by HAF Skate and Tattoo/Jimolly's Bakery Cafe

• Port Cities (Band member Breagh Mackinnon 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award)

Group Recording of the Year

• Port Cities - "Port Cities" (Band member Breagh Mackinnon 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award)

Music Video of the Year

• Dave Sampson & Port Cities - "Trouble" (Director: Mat Barkley)

Recording of the Year - Sponsored by My Home Apparel

• Port Cities - "Port Cities" (Band member Breagh Mackinnon 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award)

Classical Recording of the Year

• Helios Vocal Ensemble - "An Illuminated Christmas" (member Eszther Horvath 2016 Kenneth Elloway Award)

Pop Recording of the Year - Sponsored by Open Hearth Park

• Port Cities - "Port Cities" (Band member Breagh Mackinnon 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award)

The full list of nominees can be found at https://nsmw.ca/music-nominees/

and https://nsmw.ca/industry-nominees/

Breagh Mackinnon on Global Halifax Morning News

Breagh Mackinnon, singer, songwriter 

Dylan Guthro, Carleton Stone &
Briagh Mackinnon

spoke to Global Halifax Morning News about her upcoming songwriting workshop and performance in Windsor tomorrow Saturday, October 11, 2014 at

Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre
106 Gerrish Street
Windsor, Nova Scotia

for tickets go to : http://valleyevents.ca/31623


The interview can be viewed at  http://globalnews.ca/video/1608563/breagh-mackinnon-talks-music-making

Breagh is the 2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award winner.

Breagh Mackinnon at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival

Breagh Mackinnon, singer and songwriter (2013 NSTT Chico Berardi Award winner) will performe at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival on August 8.

Friday, August 8, 2014 Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival @ Lunenburg Folk Harbor Festival 125 Montague Street, Lunenburg, NS (Canada) - Map  Set: 2:00 PM All Ages

Friday, August 8, 2014

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival-Songwriters Circle @ St. John's Anglican Church Townsend St, Lunenburg, NS (Canada) - Map

Set: 3:00 PM All Ages

More about Breagh and her upcoming shows can be found at her website: http://breaghmackinnon.com/