Team
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Chris Birkett
Music Producer
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Dale Penner
Music Producer
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Tev Bourque
Music Producer
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J. Davis
Music Producer
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Matt Snell
Music Producer
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Noah Sullivan
Music Producer
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Myriam "Mimi" Sevigny
Project Administrator
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Gemma Lwizi
Funding Specialist
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Mahadi Mishu
Creative Media Specialist
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Joseph Giras
Strategic Advisor & Coach
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Thor Simonsen
Founder & CEO
Bios
Chris Birkett
Chris Birkett is an English/Canadian producer, songwriter, composer, and sound engineer based in Toronto, Canada. His musical collaborations include international megastars like Led Zeppelin, Sinead O’Connor, Sting, Quincy Jones, Buffy Saint Marie, and the list goes on! His albums have sold over 100 million copies, and his work has won him multiple Grammy Awards, Junos, and Canada’s top musical honour, the Polaris Prize. He’s worked extensively with Buffy St. Marie and many other Indigenous artists, including the new album for our very own Angela Amarualik.
Dale Penner
Producer/Engineer/Mixer Dale Penner is the driving force behind Paradise Alley Productions. Countless artists have benefited from Penner's production and engineering work, including Nickelback, The Matthew Good Band, Econoline Crush, and many others. His productions have sold over 13 million copies, gone certified platinum and gold, and been on the Billboard Top Ten. Dale has over 30 years of music industry experience, and his work has received numerous awards and Juno nominations. He was named Producer of the Year at the Western Canada’s Music Awards (twice) as well as the Gospel Music Awards. In 2020, Dale mixed albums for Nunavut artists Joey Nowyuk and Shauna Seeteenak.
Tev Bourque
Being passionate about music and audio, Tev Bourque is a producer, sound engineer, and composer. Tev has studied in the Music Industry arts program at Algonquin College and is currently an instructor there as well. Tev runs an independent audio production company and recording studio in Ottawa, called Tev Sound, which seeks to craft exceptional audio. Being a native to Ottawa, Tev has worked with artists such as John Carroll and Amanda Lowe and is an active member in Ottawa’s music industry. With experience living in West Africa, Tev is well-rounded in the areas of both analogue and digital technologies.
J. Davis
Bio coming soon.
Matt Snell
Matt Snell, a Toronto-based producer, recording engineer, and mixer, has cultivated his expertise through experiences in various studios. His pivotal role at Phase One Studios for five years allowed him to learn from esteemed producers, engineers, and artists globally. As a freelancer, Snell has worked with a diverse array of artists, including big names like Dua Lipa, Dermot Kennedy, Majid Jordan, The Flatliners, Banners, and Shawn Hook. Collaborating with top producers such as The Koz (known for work with Kendrick Lamar, Dua Lipa, and Madonna), he has honed his craft and expanded his repertoire. Snell operates Genesis Sound Inc, his own studio in Toronto, specializing in Indie Rock and Pop. He merges vintage warmth and tones with a contemporary edge, crafting a sound that resonates across genres from indie rock to pop. His work reflects a fusion of past influences with a keen understanding of present-day music dynamics. Snell is also a Grammy award winner for the category of best pop vocal album in 2020 for his work on Dua Lipas Future nostalgia.
Noah Sullivan
Noah Sullivan is an audio engineer and record producer based in Montréal. He began his career in audio at 14 and quickly became prominent in the Eastern Ontario music scene. By 21, he was touring globally and working with Lemon Bucket Orkestra. Sullivan has worked with numerous artists, including The Gryphon Trio and The Fretless, and holds roles in leading music organizations like The Isabel Bader Centre and Place Des Arts.
Myriam “Mimi” Sevigny
Originally from Quebec, Myriam Sevigny moved to Iqaluit for work. Throughout her life, Myriam was surrounded by music. She was enrolled as a music major in university and decided to focus on singing. As part of Hitmakerz, Myriam has worked with many prominent Nunavut artists – including Kelly Fraser, Angela Amarualik, Aasiva, Joey Nowyuk, and Shauna Seeteenak – as music producer, vocal coach, stylist, and photographer. In addition to music, Myriam is also a highly accomplished photographer, makeup artist, and fitness model.
Gemma Lwizi
Bio coming soon.
Mahadi Mishu
Bio coming soon.
Joseph Giras
Joseph Giras is an entrepreneur, coach, and business strategist with over two decades of experience in transportation, real estate, and multifamily housing. After successfully building and scaling multiple companies, he now helps people maintaining balance in their lives and business. As the founder of Grace Coaching, Joseph is committed to guiding individuals toward stability, fulfillment, and sustainable success in business and life. His strategic mindset and passion for personal growth make him a catalyst for positive change in individuals, businesses, and communities.
Thor Simonsen
Thor Simonsen is a Danish-Canadian artist and entrepreneur. Born in the Faroe Islands, Thor spent his childhood and teenage years in the Canadian Arctic. After graduating from high school, he returned to Scandinavia to work in the music industry and get his bachelor's degree in communication. Thor is an accomplished artist and music producer who has helped produce more than 20 full-length albums. His business and artistic endeavours have earned him many arts and business awards, and his unique, inter-cultural experiences have also allowed him to share his story with audiences across the world.
Services
Project Management & Consultation
Artist Management
Marketing
Media Production
Event Planning
Training
Awards & Accolades
2022: Nominated: Native American Music Awards: Single of the Year – Shauna Seeteenak
2022: Nominated: Native American Music Awards: Best Folk/Americana Video – Joey Nowyuk
2022: Nominated: Native American Music Awards: Best Traditional Vocal Album – Joey Nowyuk
2021: Won: BRCC Business Award – Special Achievement Award – Hitmakerz
2021: Speaker & Panelist: Lyrics, Languages, and Music, Indie Week, Toronto, ON
2021: #1 on Indigenous Music Countdown – Joey Nowyuk/Shauna Seeteenak “Pray”
2020: #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown – Joey Nowyuk
2020: Won: Indigenous Music Award: Best Music Video – Joey Nowyuk
2019: #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown – Ajungi feat. Angela Amarualik
2019: Nominated: Indigenous Music Award: Best Producer – Angela Amarualik
2019: Won: Indigenous Music Award: Best Indigenous Language Album – Angela Amarualik
2019: Nominated: Indigenous Music Award: Best New Artist – Angela Amarualik
2019: Nominated: Indigenous Music Award: Best Folk Album – Aasiva
2019: Nominated: Indigenous Music Award: Best New Artist – Aasiva
2019: Keynote Speaker – Northern Perspectives Conference, Winnipeg, MB
2018: #3 in Pop Album Sales, iTunes Canada – Aasiva
2018: Nominated: Juno Award: Best Indigenous Album – Sedna, Kelly Fraser
2018: Nominated: Juno Award: R&B/Soul Recording of the Year – Human, Jhyve
2018: Nominated: Indigenous Music Award: Best Pop Album – Sedna, Kelly Fraser
2010: #1 (10 weeks) on Faroese Pop Charts (Mús/KVF) – Tell Me Now Pt. 2, FAROE5
2008: Won: Faroese Music Award: Best New Artist – FAROE5, FAROE5
2006: Nominated: Planet Award: Best New Artist – “International” by Thor Simonsen
In the News
SOCAN Magazine / Words & Music (Feb. 7, 2020)
Advocating For The Nunavut Sound
Above & Beyond/Arctic Journal (Dec. 30, 2019)
Showcasing Nunavut’s Musical Talent
Nunavut News (Dec. 1, 2019)
Iqaluit musician teaches ukuleles to youth in three communities
Canadian Beats (November 14, 2019)
PREMIERE – Angela Amarualik releases video for “Sapingillunga”
Nunavut News (May 17, 2019)
Angela Amarualik earns Indigenous Music Award
Nunatsiaq News (April 17, 2019)
Up-and-coming Inuit singer shares her struggles with shyness
CBC – The National (Sep. 17, 2018)
Inuit singer-songwriter Kelly Fraser | Fight for the Rights
Above & Beyond/Arctic Journal (February 28, 2018)
Nunavut Hitmakerz – Inspiring a new generation of artists
Northern Public Affairs (Oct. 15, 2017)
Nunavut Hitmakerz: Giving Young Nunavummiut A Voice
Nunatsiaq News (Sept. 15, 2017)
Growing music-makers here at home
Nunatsiaq News (May 15, 2017)
New Nunavut guide offers help and hope to potential homeowners
CBC News (Aug. 24, 2016)
'Chasing their dreams:' Nunavut Hitmakerz hold music workshops for youth