Alberta Artists and Industry Take Home Western Canadian Music Awards

October 7, 2026

Alberta artists had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Western Canadian Music Awards, taking home five awards during this year’s BreakOut West in Victoria, BC.

The wins spanned genres from Afrobeats and hip hop to classical, songwriting and spiritual music, showcasing the incredible range of music being created across Alberta.

The Mbira Renaissance Band took home Afrobeats Artist of the Year, while Emilie Cecilia LeBel was named Classical Composer of Year for The Sediments.

ARDN added Rap & Hip Hop Artist to his growing list accolades, and Mariel Buckley earned Songwriter(s) of the Year for “Vending Machines” from her album Strange Trip ahead. Cikwes rounded out Alberta’s wins, taking home Spiritual Artist of the Year.

Alberta had even more reason to celebrate on Saturday evening, when Calgary artist Jairus Sharif was announced as the winner of the inaugural Meridian Prize for his album

. The new prize recognizes an album of exceptional artistic achievement from Western and Northern Canada.

Beyond the five wins, Alberta had a strong presence throughout the Western Canadian Music Awards, with artists and music industry professionals nominated across a wide range of categories.

The awards were part of BreakOut West 2026, held September 30 to October 4 in Victoria, bringing together artists and music industry professionals from across Western and Northern Canada for showcases, professional development, networking and celebration.

Congratulations to all of Alberta’s 2026 Western Canadian Music Award winners and nominees!

2026 WESTERN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARD WINNERS

Artistic Awards

Afrobeats Artist of the Year
The Mbira Renaissance Band – AB

Blues Artist of the Year
Blue Moon Marquee & Northern Cree – BC

BreakOut Artist of the Year – Sponsored by FACTOR
Jake Vaadeland – SK

Children’s Artist of the Year
Norman Foote – BC

Classical Artist or Ensemble of the Year
Standing Wave – BC

Classical Composer of the Year
Emilie Cecilia LeBel – The Sediments “The Miraculous Mandarin, Concerto for Orchestra – Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Gustavo Gimeno” – AB

Country Artist of the Year
Jess Moskaluke – SK

Electronic & Dance Artist of the Year
WHIPPED CREAM – BC

Francophone Artist of the Year – Sponsored by APCM (Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique)
Jocelyne Baribeau – MB

Global Artist of the Year
Empanadas Ilegales – BC

Indigenous Artist of the Year
FONTINE – MB

Instrumental Artist of the Year
Olivia Barrett – BC

Jazz Artist of the Year
Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra – MB

Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year
Freeze the Fall – BC

Pop Artist of the Year
Begonia – MB

Producer of the Year
Andy Schichter – Park Sound Studio – BC

R&B Artist of the Year
Katie Tupper – SK

Rap & Hip Hop Artist of the Year
ARDN – AB

Recording of the Year
Foxwarren – SK

Rock Artist of the Year
FONTINE – MB

Roots Artist of the Year
The Southern Residents – BC

Songwriter(s) of the Year – Sponsored by The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Mariel Buckley – Vending Machines “Mariel Buckley – Strange Trip Ahead” – AB

Spiritual Artist of the Year
Cikwes – AB

Video Director of the Year – Sponsored by Manitoba Film & Music
Taylor Brown – Cowboy Dreams (feat. Cat Clyde) “Boy Golden – Best of Our Possible Lives” – MB